APRIL FOOL: HARRICK HAS EGG ON FACE; JOKE'S ARE ON GEORGIA, RHODE ISLAND IN FLIP-FLOPS.Byline: Daily News Wire Services It could go down as the greatest April Fool's Day April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day, holiday of uncertain origin, known for practical joking and celebrated on the first of April. Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1564, the date was observed as New Year's Day by cultures as prank ever. Except it's real. When he finally made up his mind Thursday night, Jim Harrick Jim Harrick (born July 25, 1938 in Charleston, West Virginia) is a former college basketball head coach who coached at Pepperdine University, UCLA, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Georgia. was the basketball coach at the University of Georgia Organization The President of the University of Georgia (as of 2007, Michael F. Adams) is the head administrator and is appointed and overseen by the Georgia Board of Regents. . Again. And Rhode Island Rhode Island, island, United States Rhode Island, island, 15 mi (24 km) long and 5 mi (8 km) wide, S R.I., at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is the largest island in the state, with steep cliffs and excellent beaches. was disappointed. Again. But for a time Thursday afternoon, Rhode Island was all ready to trumpet the return of Harrick - to celebrate his decision not to take the job at Georgia a day after Harrick's press conference Wednesday to announce he was joining the Bulldogs program after just two years in Kingston, R.I. But with a last-minute phone call, Harrick made another U-turn. This time, Rhode Island was clearly unamused. ``We consider this to be an unfortunate turn of events,'' said Bob Beagle, a Rhode Island university vice president. ``We have acted in good faith throughout this entire process.'' Beagle spoke during a news conference Thursday - the one at which Harrick was supposed to announce he had decided to remain with Rhode Island. Harrick didn't show up for the press conference. He also didn't show up for a meeting he had arranged with his team to tell them he was coming back. Athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic Ron Petro had a sharper response to Harrick's about-face. ``We are very concerned about his ability to make a decision,'' Petro said. Harrick was scheduled to fly back to Athens, Ga., today to begin recruiting - a condition of the Bulldogs taking him back. In a statement released by Georgia, Harrick said: ``I had to get back to my family and sort things out. Once I did that, which was late afternoon, I know now the right thing for me and my family is to be at Georgia.'' Earlier in the day, Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley Vincent Joseph Dooley (born September 4, 1932 in Mobile, Alabama) was the head football coach (seasons 1964 through 1988) and athletic director (1979 to 2004) at the University of Georgia. During his 25 year coaching career at UGA, Dooley compiled a 201-77-10 record. had said he was disappointed in Harrick's decision to remain at Rhode Island, where he led the Rams to two NCAA Tournaments NCAA Tournament can mean: Men's Sports
UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . Thursday night, Dooley said: ``I can understand those emotions, especially when it involves family. But knowing how important the family is to him, and that is perhaps the only reason, we're willing to give him this opportunity.'' ``I hope I haven't offended of·fend v. of·fend·ed, of·fend·ing, of·fends v.tr. 1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in. 2. anyone, but, if so, I deeply apologize,'' Harrick said. ``I want the Georgia people to know that I'm totally committed to the success of the Georgia basketball program.'' Amazingly, the series of events occurred on April Fool's Day. ``My late grandmother was married to my grandfather on April Fool's Day,'' Georgia president Michael Adams
Michael Adams (born November 17, 1971 in Truro, Cornwall, England) is an International Grandmaster of chess. said, managing a smile. ``They lived together for 61 years and she used to say that was the strangest thing that ever happened on April Fool's. I wish she were here, because I topped her today.'' So here's what happened: Wednesday, Harrick was taking the job at Georgia during a press conference. Wednesday night at about 6 p.m., he told Rhode Island officials he had changed his mind. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Petro, Harrick said during that phone call he had decided to return to Rhode Island ``because the people in Rhode Island had been very good to him.'' Harrick also said he delayed taking the Georgia job because of the school's anti-nepotism policy, which would have kept him from hiring his son as an assistant. Jim Harrick, Jr., who played for his father at Pepperdine, was an assistant at Rhode Island this season. Jim Jr. told his dad to take the Georgia job. Petro was glad to hear the news. ``We were disappointed with his decision to leave URI Uri, in the Bible Uri (y  `rī), in the Bible.1 Father of Bezaleel (1.) 2 Father of Geber (2.) 3 Porter. and obviously we would welcome him back,'' Beagle said. And at 4 p.m. Thursday, Petro met with Harrick and his wife. Petro said he asked Harrick and his wife if they remain committed to their decision to return to Rhode Island. ``He said `yes.' His wife was there with him and she said `yes,' '' Petro said. But after failing to attend the players' meeting, Harrick phoned Petro at about 6:10 p.m. Thursday. Guess what? He had changed his mind again. ``He said he was struggling with the decision, but that he has decided to go back to Georgia,'' Petro said. Petro said Harrick didn't give him a clear reason for his latest decision. ``It was hard getting it out of him,'' Petro said. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) Jim Harrick took a job with Georgia, recanted, then went back. J. Pat Carter/Associated Press |
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