Wittels And FIU In Precarious Position
MIAMI (CBS4) - Florida International University has hitched its wagon to using athletics to build its reputation. The school will be in the spotlight this week as baseball star Garrett Wittels attempts to set the all-time record hitting streak, but FIU is entering dangerous waters as Wittels hits the front pages again.
Wittels' streak has brought the spotlight to the Golden Panthers program, but it also has the school in the position of having to deal with Wittels' felony charge while also having the media cover the pursuit of the record.
So far, the Golden Panthers are having problems with the first element.
Last week, the Golden Panthers sent out a release inviting the media to a press conference where Wittels, his teammates and coaches would be available to talk to reporters, but there's a catch.
The release specifically stated that anyone who asked a question about Wittels' legal problems would force the press conference to be terminated immediately and the reporter would be subject to having his or her credentials to cover the team revoked.
The irony is that FIU is an institution that teaches about the First Amendment, and is now seeking to quash the First Amendment right of reporters.
But the bigger question is why is a player charged with a felony allowed to play? Other state schools like Florida State University have policies that say if a player is charged with a felony, they are suspended from participating in athletics.
The difference for FIU is that it has not reached the level of FSU in athletics or national awareness. Having Wittels on the field and chasing the streak brings national prominence to FIU, as evidenced by ESPN planning pitch-by-pitch coverage of his at-bats when the season starts on Friday.
CBS Miami news partner the Miami Herald attempted to reach FIU athletic director Pete Garcia about whether Wittels will play or should play, but Garcia never returned phone calls from the Herald.
FIU will begin their baseball season on Friday, the same day the Florida Marlins report to spring training. But, while the Marlins will get a passing mention on ESPN, FIU's Wittels will be the main attraction. The question is how much is FIU giving up to get the national spotlight.
