Knoxville News Sentinel

The subject of this letter is the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball program. This letter is not intended to be personal, mean, ugly or vicious. I have always been a huge supporter and fan of all the university’s athletic programs.

The Lady Vols basketball program has gone south, so to speak. Since Pat Summitt retired, the program records speak for themselves. The Lady Vols, as of Dec. 17, were about 40th in the USA TODAY and Associated Press polls. Why and how have the leaders and the decision-makers at the university allowed this to happen? Are they going to let the program that Summitt worked so hard to build just self-destruct and die? This was an athletic program that was recognized and was paid tribute to from all over the United States, something that every Tennesseean was proud of. Is it possible that the top leaders of the University of Tennessee are lacking in vision, wisdom, judgment and courage?

The world-class horse (the Lady Vols basketball program) has thrown a shoe. Replace the shoe, Mr. President and Mr. Athletic Director, so that the great horse can run again. With all due respect, we the fans, taxpayers and citizens of Tennessee expect you to do your job. It is up to you to defend and protect the legacy of the Lady Vols, the great University of Tennessee and its people. So do your job without flinching or blinking.

Johnnie R. Prichard, Niceville, Fla.