Dynasty divided

Husky Stadium overflows with up to 72,000 fans on football-game days. With an NCAA football team that has followers spanning the globe, the recent blows taken by the UW as a result of former coach Rick Neuheisel's predicament have been difficult to swallow. And the consequences have dampened more than just the spirit of the football team -- the UW athletic family feels as if it is getting torn apart.

Football is the all-American college sport and the backbone of athletics at the UW. With its importance and popularity, it is not surprising that Neuheisel's dismissal has resulted in intense scrutiny by the media. And it shouldn't be surprising that the athletes are uncertain about what will happen next.

Shelton Sampson, red-shirt sophomore to-be, said he liked Neuheisel. In fact, Neuheisel was a reason he came to play running back at the UW. He, along with other players, found out about Neuheisel's gambling and subsequent termination the way every other UW student did -- by watching TV and reading the papers.

"It's pretty tough because I came in with Rick," Sampson said. "He was the one who recruited me and it was a family deal because my parents liked the situation. I'm hoping he keeps pressing for his job."

Fans and Husky faithful alike, however, are divided in opinion about what should happen. Some think Neuheisel did nothing wrong; others are infuriated.

Raymond Peterich, 81, has watched Husky football since he was a Boy Scout, back when James Phelan was the coach. He graduated from the UW in 1943, and has had season tickets the past 40 years. He said he wouldn't mind if Neuheisel moved on.

"Don James was the best Husky coach ever. [Neuheisel] wasn't," said Peterich. "I'll still probably go to one or two games, but I have never really liked Neuheisel. My first impression after he left his Colorado contract was not good, and my latest impression (of him) isn't good either."

Not all agree. Bob Rondeau, director of broadcasting for the Husky Radio Network, described Neuheisel as "very charasmatic and likeable," and felt the episode would have minimal effect on the players.

"There is a lot of time between now and August 30th," he said. "Most of these guys are on summer vacation anyway, or starting their summer individual workouts. Actually, I worry about the players the least in this whole thing. "

But the differing opinions don't make coping any easier for the athletes. Now all eyes are on offensive-coordinator Keith Gilbertson, assigned by UW Athletic Director Barbara Hedges to "manage" the football office. Gilbertson will oversee the Husky football program for the two months until the season begins.

Sampson said the confusion ablaze within the team is a perfect place for Gilbertson to control the fire.

"Coach Gilby (Gilbertson) can do a good job since he's already our offensive coordinator. It will be different because those guys get us riled up in opposite ways," said Sampson. "It's like what coach Neuheisel always told us: Tough times don't last; tough people do'."

Just as NCAA violations are nothing new to Neuheisel, Husky faithful are familiar with tough times.

For example, probation ensued during the 1993 and 1994 seasons when the Huskies lost bowl bids -- even with victories -- because former quarterback Billy Joe Hobert accepted a $50,000 loan from an Idaho businessman.

Although Hobert led the Huskies to the 1991 national championship, the punishment came later. He has a bittersweet legacy at the UW, and defended Neuheisel's participation in office polls in a recent interview with The Seattle Times.

"He is the guy you want to call for the Final Four," Hobert told the Times. "You know this guy is a good man. He communicates well with his players. I still think the NCAA sucks. And you can print that."

But when the Huskies beat the Miami Hurricanes 38-20 at the Orange Bowl and ruined the Hurricanes 56-game winning streak -- arguably the best road win of all time -- the victory was overshadowed by the violations of Hobert's five-figure loan. The Huskies came home with a feeling of rejection as their only souvenir. The team had the feeling it should have won the championship ring and didn't.

Current tension is hairsplitting because the Huskies are again faced with off-field circumstances that threaten their game performance. As preseason publications are naming the Huskies the top Pac-10 team for the 2003 season, the Huskies hope their coach's infraction will not reflect on their game.

It's not just football players who are concerned. When the Neuheisel rollercoaster jumped into high gear with the gambling incident, all Huskies were worried about their reputations.

Bobby Jones, UW men's basketball player, said he wonders what will happen when people see purple and gold.

"This can tarnish Washington football and the athletic program," Jones said. "From what I have heard, this type of violation is heavy and certain consequences have to happen. It's a bad thing, but nothing against [Neuheisel] personally. It was his second or third violation so something has to happen even if it is not good timing for the team."

Kristen Brockman, women's basketball player, said the whole athletic department could be under close watch by the NCAA because of Neuheisel.

"The NCAA will be watching us closely, but our team has nothing to hide," she said. "In my mind I don't think that [Neuheisel] will coach college sports again -- he should probably go pro. He is a great coach and his guys all like him; he just got caught up."

It seems that divisions in opinion between fans, athletes and alumi are erupting across the board. Jim Champagne played offensive guard for the Huskies from 1971-74 and has followed the team closely since his departure. He voiced concern for the Husky image, but said that Neuheisel himself would be affected the most after his tenure was officially completed.

"I'm saddened by it personally," Champagne said. "But I don't feel that the program will suffer long term. Washington football is bigger than one individual, and I am more sad for Rick than the school. He's opened a can of worms that will cause more scrutiny after he leaves, and some other people in the department will suffer consequences."