Editor,
Like most students, I was shocked to see that Lobo point guard Marlon Parmer had quit the men's basketball team. But I was even more shocked to see the way coach Fran Fraschilla was harshly criticized through the media.
First came the ridiculous idea that Fraschilla has "verbally abused" his players, forcing them no choice but to quit. Since day one, Fran said that he wanted to turn our Lobo program into something that is classy and similar to a Duke or Stanford.
And because of this vision, Fran has been quick to put the players in their place, never letting them get the idea that they are bigger than the team. He doesn't back down from attitudes and isn't afraid to show his emotion. Isn't this why we hired the man in the first place? Because we loved the enthusiasm, the excitement and, most of all, the intensity that we knew he could bring to Lobo basketball?
Maybe you hadn't seen it, but Fraschilla fought for Parmer, on and off the court, for more than two years, protecting this "prize recruit" more than any other player. Parmer has been a starter since his freshman year, even getting the authority to override Fraschilla's play calling, which he most often did. Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke doesn't even let all-American point guard Jason Williams do that. Yet when it came time for Parmer to stick up and respect his coach, he left.
When athletes choose to put on that Lobo uniform, they need to know the honor that comes with it. They aren't just representing themselves or UNM, they are representing the people of New Mexico, because the Lobos are our professional team. Because of this spotlight, the Lobos need to carry themselves in a positive manner and Parmer has never done this, even as Fraschilla tried to guide him on the right track.
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So what happens whenever things look bleak and rough? You stop, evaluate and start looking for positives to build on. Tim Lightfoot will now get the chance to bury some more treys. Ruben Douglas can now assume the role of the primetime player. Eric Chatfield can now slash through the paint on more drives. And Senque Carey can go back to his natural position and do something Parmer never could, run an efficient offense that is full of talent.
As for Marlon, it's a hard lesson learned, but as the old saying goes, "Never bite back at the hand that feeds you."
Carlos G. Segura
UNM student and
Lobo basketball fan
