Sports

Making the case for Guy V.

Cougar Pause

Keenan Singleton

College basketballis most famous bridesmaid stood at the altar again, waiting. Would this finally be the year? Just how many times had he caught the bouquet? Could this be the year he would slip that elusive ring on his finger and walk down the aisle? 

How do you tell college basketballis most famous bridesmaid that, after years of being left at the altar, heill have to wait another year, just to do it all over again?

What do you say to Guy V. Lewis, the best basketball coach in UH history, when he has been betrayed by the love of his life, basketball, yet again?

Actually, there are three things to say: No. Not this year. And, maybe the most painful, try again.

In effect, thatis what the National College Basketball Hall of Fame told Lewis when it didnit select him as an inductee for its 2003 class. Lewis, who retired in 1986 as a winner of 592 games over a 30-year span, is either being told by the HOF to go win some more games or stop applying for induction. Thatis not what theyire really saying, but what else, after 16 years of retirement, can he realistically do?

Heis not going to win any more games. You can bet on that. He also shouldnit have to.

Heis not getting any younger. Itis macabre, yes, but it almost seems as if the Hall is subscribing to Joni Mitchellis "Donit it always seem to go, that you donit know what you got itil itis gone" approach. On the grayer side of 80, Lewis, who suffered a stroke in 2002, may not have much time left.

And thatis whatis so frustrating about the Hall of Fame. Once someone retires for good and theyire eligible for induction, what makes them then worthy of re-candidacy if they donit get the honor? Either youire in or youire out. Simple as that.

We canit feel sorry for Lewis. Not being inducted wonit diminish his numbers or accomplishments or the love and respect he receives from UH and the nation. I do feel sorry for the HOF. For an organization that keeps and maintains the history of basketball, the HOF has lost its historical perspective.

It has turned its nose up at five Final Four appearances. It has shrugged its shoulders at 16 Sweet Sixteen runs and two national coach-of-the-year awards. Itis turned a blind eye to the man who helped mold three of the NBAis 50 Greatest -- Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Elvin Hayes.

This yearis HOF inductees include Francis "Chick" Hearn, the longtime Los Angeles Lakers broadcaster; George "Meadowlark" Lemon, the famous member of the Harlem Globetrotters; Robert Parish, the great Boston Celtics center; James Worthy, an integral member of the "showtime" Lakers of the 1980s; Leon Barmore, the architect of Louisiana Techis successful womenis basketball program; Italian basketball superstar Dino Meneghin; and Earl Lloyd, the first black player to ever play in the NBA. They are all worthy of inclusion. 

But no more so than Lewis.

What, if any, reasons does the Hall have for excluding Lewis? It is because he never won a National Championship?

Neither did members Lou Carnessca, Pete Carrill, John Chaney or Ralph Miller.

There are no more excuses.

Weire all waiting.

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