* SHYATT MAKES A STATEMENT - Wyoming coach Larry Shyatt is angry about the Mountain West's recent change in the conference tournament, which will include only eight of the 11 teams beginning in 2017. The format switch, announced Dec. 18, was approved by a vote of the league's Board of Directors. Shyatt read a lengthy statement today, including:
"As chairman of the men's basketball coaches, I feel it's appropriate to address the shocking announcement for all of our student-athletes and coaches who were recently stripped, removed and or eliminated from their opportunity to qualify for the (NCAA Tournament). Since I represent the coaches, my comments will be on their behalf.
"The way in which these student-athletes and coaches were to find out, in an age of student-athlete opportunity and welfare is pursuant, becomes even more disappointing and embarrassing. When the presidents and athletic directors met a couple weeks ago there was no, I repeat, no communication or dialogue to discuss any such action. Could there be a more sad and shallow kind of communication and understanding? Yes, we the coaches and student-athletes were bamboozled, as President Obama would say.
"Shortly after this surprising vote took place, I was informed by our commissioner (Craig Thompson) that there were two reasons given, No. 1 finances and No. 2 that this was something that was similar to what some other sports in our league were experiencing. Men's basketball, however, has been the torch-bearer for our league. Specifically, since the departure of Utah, BYU and TCU recently. In fact, in men's basketball we have received 17 NCAA bids the last five years. That is approximately 3.5 bids per year, nothing like a one-bid league. Obviously this action to remove, strip and eliminate student-athletes' opportunity is on that has been taken in low-budget and one-bid leagues. It is both and insult and embarrassing, especially that the surprise vote and action was taken with no interest in searching for the student-athletes and coaches involved.
"In my opinion, this action was wrong, non-inclusive and quite opposite to where student-athletes' welfare has gone in the last few years. Why remove the over 28 percent of our young student-athletes' last opportunity and their dream to compete for a berth in the (NCAA Tournament)? I only pray that these opportunities for these student-athletes will be restored soon."
"As chairman of the men's basketball coaches, I feel it's appropriate to address the shocking announcement for all of our student-athletes and coaches who were recently stripped, removed and or eliminated from their opportunity to qualify for the (NCAA Tournament). Since I represent the coaches, my comments will be on their behalf.
"The way in which these student-athletes and coaches were to find out, in an age of student-athlete opportunity and welfare is pursuant, becomes even more disappointing and embarrassing. When the presidents and athletic directors met a couple weeks ago there was no, I repeat, no communication or dialogue to discuss any such action. Could there be a more sad and shallow kind of communication and understanding? Yes, we the coaches and student-athletes were bamboozled, as President Obama would say.
"Shortly after this surprising vote took place, I was informed by our commissioner (Craig Thompson) that there were two reasons given, No. 1 finances and No. 2 that this was something that was similar to what some other sports in our league were experiencing. Men's basketball, however, has been the torch-bearer for our league. Specifically, since the departure of Utah, BYU and TCU recently. In fact, in men's basketball we have received 17 NCAA bids the last five years. That is approximately 3.5 bids per year, nothing like a one-bid league. Obviously this action to remove, strip and eliminate student-athletes' opportunity is on that has been taken in low-budget and one-bid leagues. It is both and insult and embarrassing, especially that the surprise vote and action was taken with no interest in searching for the student-athletes and coaches involved.
"In my opinion, this action was wrong, non-inclusive and quite opposite to where student-athletes' welfare has gone in the last few years. Why remove the over 28 percent of our young student-athletes' last opportunity and their dream to compete for a berth in the (NCAA Tournament)? I only pray that these opportunities for these student-athletes will be restored soon."
