Hail Humana
Regarding Jo Anne Triplett’s Oct. 23 art piece on the Humana Building: I had the privilege of reviewing the original architectural construction plans and approving them for construction, doing the inspections, signing off on the Certificate of Occupancy and going to the grand opening celebrations. I was a Sergeant Fire Prevention Construction Inspector for the Louisville Division of Fire back then.
A little known fact is there are two two-story “temples” on the east and west sides of the upper floors. These areas were called “temples” by Michael Graves on the original plans. Secret rites? Sacrifices by the high priests of Humana to the gods of Corporate Health Care? Who knows what type of rituals were planned for these areas.
Steve Tabor, Shepherdsville
Who’s That Guy?
Response to the Inbox letter “Improv Love” (appearing in the Oct. 23 LEO) — Mr. Jeff Woods: You obviously have a respect and appreciation for what we do and the work we put into improv. Unfortunately, we can’t place you among our many fans but would love for you to introduce yourself at the next show you attend.
We may not get as much press as we hope for, but you have shown us the general public takes notice. Thank you.
Parker Bowles, Damaged Goods Improv
Hurtts our Cred
Readers should review the Yahoo sports story that broke the scandal at the University of Miami to appreciate the severity of the violations that transpired there. The ultimate sanction the NCAA can place on a school is the so-called “death penalty,” where the athletic programs are completely shut down due to lack of institutional control. If the behavior of schools like the University of Miami, Penn State and Oklahoma State do not merit the death penalty, how bad do schools need to misbehave before their athletic programs are completely shut down?
As assistant coach and chief recruiter for the University of Miami, Clint Hurtt was up to his neck in the scandal. Tom Jurich tries to justify keeping Hurtt as a coach, claiming he has been a model citizen since he has been at U of L. The NCAA has found that Hurtt was guilty of cheating and then lying to the NCAA. Hurtt has admitted to cheating while he was at Miami — only after the scandal became public. But the lying to the NCAA about the scandal occurred while Hurtt was an employee of U of L. Evidently, Jurich, with the support of President Ramsey, believes one can be a model citizen at U of L and still lie to the NCAA. This community should reject the terrible message this is sending to our youth.
One would assume that as a standard part of the hiring process at any college athletic department, a candidate for a coaching position with past college coaching experience would be asked if he had ever broken any NCAA rules on either the application or during the interview process. If this was not done when Hurtt applied, it shows gross incompetency by U of L’s athletic department. If the question was raised, did Hurtt tell the truth?
As part of Hurtt’s punishment, his salary has been frozen at $375,000 a year. I am sure many of us would like to be punished to the tune of $375,000 a year, and we would not cheat and lie in order to earn it. We should not forget that people like Frank Camp, Peck Hickman and John Dromo ran highly successful athletic programs while being the epitome of honesty and integrity. Since President Ramsey has given his approval on Jurich’s decision, the Board of Trustees may be the last hope to regain institutional control of U of L athletics. Fans should remember that it is their willingness to be charged outrageous ticket prices that pays the $375,000 salary of Clint Hurtt as well the salary of Tom Jurich.
Tom Ridge, Camp Taylor
