Letter to the Editor
Respected coach
Published Sunday, June 22, 2008
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Stumble It!June 18, 2008
To the editor:
I watched on the local news that Al Sokitas has applied to be the coach of the University of Alaska Fairbanks women’s basketball team for this upcoming season.
I have been involved in basketball in Fairbanks as a player, high school coach, and fan for more than 35 years, and I have never seen a coach of any sport in Alaska more able to motivate his players to excel.
For those of us who had the privilege of watching him work with his team on the basketball court, we know that his skills, talents, and game knowledge would be almost impossible to duplicate.
For those of us who have seen what kind of man he is off the court, our respect for him is even higher.
I remember hearing about one instance where a student from Manley called Sokitas and asked him to speak at his high school graduation. Sokitas agreed and it was not until he arrived that he realized the graduating class consisted of that one individual. A week later, Sokitas spoke in front of another graduating class, this time numbering 3,500 students.
The women who will make up the UAF basketball team for the 2008/2009 season will be better off with Al Sokitas as part of their team. So will the town of Fairbanks.
Community Discussion
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Wow! You are really good at regurgitating Al's crappy stories. Did he masticate that for you too?! Bottom line it's the Al Sokitis show all the time every time. It's not about the team or the game it's about Al. UAF needs to give him a pass as move on to better then things not the same old same old.
Who wrote this for you? You were not at his public forum. This story was though. Almost word for word. Maybe you should wait and listed to the other canidates before you make a judgement but I don't expect you will. Nor do I expect to see you at the next three canidates forums next week at the Patty Center Mon. Tues. Or Wen. At 5:30p.
Hey Johnny you wouldnt have a daughter thats going to UAF would you :)
Commentors: Regardless of what you might think about Al...please remind me of a basketball coach who has had more success at UAF and has brought so much positive publicity to our university and town?
I watched Al bring lots of spirit to FBKS when he helped bring top of the world to us and I have great respect for him. I was lucky enough to watch him at practice with his team. Yes his ego is very large but you know what i think he deserved that and our girls team deserves to be in the spotlight and I thin Al could do that for him
I think it was Brad Olsen more than Coach Sokitas that brought the success, but the kids respect him.
It's a really sad day in fairbanks when I see people bashing Johnny Hajduk about basketball comments.
JH is right, count me as another alumni who strongly supports this hire.
Al Sokaitas has been a credit to UAF and to the community. He has also helped promote the game of basketball throughout Alaska and has helped motivate youth in Alaska's small villages. Of course the other candidates have their own qualifications, but unlike the others, Coach Sokaitas has a proven record of success at UAF and of involvement in the community.
Al Sokaitas has been the only coach we have seen visit the schools.
I also think that you are unfairly bashing Johnny and Al. Sure Al has an ego but he also brings a proven record to UAF. I've met Al before and I've seen him when he used to go on recruiting trips around the country. I've had the opportunity to talk with him about other things besides basketball and he seems like a genuine person. Johnny and his family have held basketball camps out in remote villages for years and they have always brought UAF ball players with them when they go out there. Now, I don't know too much about the other prospective coaches, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Rehiring a disgruntled former employee is almost never a good decision.
Would you do it at your business Johnny?
Do you know where Johnny works? If you did you would know that they have hired lots of employees that left and come back. I worked there for 10 years.
How about the fact that when things don't go his way he quits. Sokaitis left UAF on bad terms he left Colorado on bad terms. What's going to happen when he doesn't like the way things are going this time... up and leave us again... thanks but no thanks.
Please take the time to go to research all candidates. There is a better one out there and his name is Darryl Smith.
Pam is that you!
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