Arizona State AD Apologizes for Recent Comments
Following the addition of Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado, to the Big 12 Conference over the weekend, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson made a comment he would not travel to the campus of West Virginia University.
On Wednesday, Anderson apologized for his comments on a local Arizona radio show.
"Those comments were said in jest and taken out of context," said Anderson. They were clumsy comments from me that I sincerely regret because I offended some people and no offense was intended, and for that, I apologize, I sincerely do."
Anderson noted he and WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker have known each other for quite some time and reached out to Baker on Monday to personally apologize.
"We had a chance to talk, and I explained the context and he graciously accepted my apology. and certainly, said he would pass it on to their president Gordon Gee whom I know," said Anderson.
Anderson further explained the context of the comments.
"I don't' not like cold weather, and it really gets cold there in the wintertime and that's what i was jesting with (Arizona State University) President (Michael) Crow about," he said.
Conference realignment had brought about drastic change to the landscape of college athletics, and can understandably be frustrating for administrators, but the two athletic directors look forward to working together in the future.
"We shared, quite frankly, our mutual excitement about us being in the same conference going forward," said Anderson. "We shared a few laughs because he made me promise that I would absolutely come to Morgantown many times over the course of the next few years."
Anderson also shared that he's previously visited Morgantown.
I've been there, it's a beautiful, beautiful college town. They got a nice stadium there and their folks are as gracious with their hospitality as any you will find," said Anderson. "I know there are good folks back there and no offense was intended, and I look forward to visiting."
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