Opinion: Dickie V is wrong about LSU basketball court name debate
By John Fye
The LSU basketball court naming controversy experienced another bizarre turn. Last Friday, Hall of Fame sportscaster Dick Vitale weighed in on the pending motion to rename LSU’s ‘Dale Brown Court.’
It is fair to assume most LSU basketball fans love Dick Vitale. So who doesn’t love them some ‘Dickie V?’ Well, some LSU fans might love the 83-year-old a tad less following his latest Twitter rant.
How ABSURD - in Louisiana the Governor wants to change the name of the LSU basketball court that was named DALE BROWN COURT in a dedication ceremony about a year ago . This is wacky Dale deserved the honor & it finally was affirmed & now UGLY POLITICS is involved . @TimBrando
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 3, 2023
For those unaware, LSU’s Board of Supervisors will consider a motion to add Sue Gunter’s name to Dale Brown Court. Of course, the court is inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) and home to both LSU basketball teams. Most sitting on LSU’s Board of Supervisors voted to name PMAC’s hardwood after Brown last September. However, the court will be renamed ‘Brown-Gunter Court’ if the latest naming convention proposal is successful.
Such is the vicious cycle of right-leaning personalities hollering ‘political’ at everything progressive
It is fair to assume Vitale’s opinion is more about defending his good friend Dale Brown. Then again, his tweet explicitly threw blame at “UGLY POLITICS,” to which fellow broadcaster Tim Brando agreed. Therein lies the problem. Such is the vicious cycle of right-leaning personalities hollering ‘political’ at everything progressive. And yes, adding Gunter’s name to the LSU basketball floor is a progressive gesture. A gesture acknowledging the greatest women’s basketball coach in LSU history equals the greatest men’s basketball coach.
Many fans argue Brown’s career is superior, but Gunter retired with a better win percentage. Another consideration is the support each coach’s program experienced throughout their careers. Few can argue men’s college basketball has and continues to receive more resources than women’s programs enjoy. Such inequality was especially prevalent during Gunter’s era hence, the calls to put her name next to Brown’s on the PMAC floor. There are no handouts or virtue signaling; Sue Gunter earned her place in history.
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Dale Brown was a four-time SEC coach of the year that led LSU to an 18-13 NCAA Tournament record. The Tigers didn’t win a national title under Brown but twice appeared in the men’s Final Four. The LSU women’s teams also made a Final Four trip during Gunter’s tenure, including 14 tournament appearances. Additionally, Gunter was the more decorated coach, with five Coach of the Year awards and a WNIT title in 1985.
The board voted 12-3 in favor of honoring Brown on PMAC’s court last September. However, the three dissenting members were women. LSU basketball held a ceremony for the court’s new name in January, but have yet to install permanent decals and markings.