EWU showed no class

As a graduate of both Gonzaga (BA) and Eastern Washington (MPA), I root for the Zags and relate to Gonzaga as my alma mater. But I have very positive memories of my studies at EWU and the very fine faculty in public administration. It appears that interim athletic director Michael Westfall could have used some public administration training.

My reaction to the firing of basketball coach Mike Burns is that it is a classless act. There is the saying that there is a time and place for everything, but this firing was not timely in any positive sense. I am not passing judgment on the coach’s record or qualifications, but I read that he is well-regarded by his peers in the area.

The termination was not fair to the coach or his young family, even with the announcement of a larger settlement amount. And Mr. Westfall said “he was not privy to the details of the settlement.” This is not an example of the public administration I studied at EWU.

Mike McKinnon

Spokane