Sports letter: Locals nixed by UNLV

Monday, July 14, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

In 2000, a national search committee recommended six candidates to then-athletic director Charles Cavagnaro. Two local high school coaches, Rodger Fairless and Brian Whitaker, were among those candidates. Jim Schlossnagle was not.

Cavagnaro rejected the opinion of the search committee and hired Schlossnagle, even though he was not recommended. Cavagnaro then left UNLV.

Now we are being handed Buddy Gouldsmith as the new UNLV baseball coach. He may turn out to be a fine coach, but the circumstances of his hiring are insulting to local sports fans. CCSN coach Tim Chambers was not even considered as a candidate. Coach Chambers has been a part of the local baseball community for nearly 15 years.

UNLV continues to complain about community support for athletics, yet turns its back on that very community. Lori Harrigan deserved to be considered for the softball job. Tim Chambers was without a doubt the right man for the baseball job.

Why does UNLV ignore candidates with strong local ties who already have community support?

UNLV donors need to stop financing this type of behavior from the athletic department. Support local sports, donate to CCSN or write a check to your nearest high school. UNLV does not deserve local support until they decide to act like a local athletic program.

BARRY WHITAKER