Eddie Sutton said Monday night he would be surprised if OSU removed his signature from the Gallagher-Iba Arena court. I would be surprised, too, and just contemplating it was a very unwise PR move.
Eddie Sutton Court is in need of a paint job, so that’s always a good time to make any changes in color and style. So OSU came up with eight options, and some include the removal of Sutton’s signature. Not his name, which would be somewhere in all eight options. But his signature remaining on the court is not a certainty.
It should be. The controversy surrounding Sean Sutton’s removal as coach drove a wedge between the Suttons and OSU, with fans divided as well. The wedge was unavoidable but still regrettable. To pound a hammer on that wedge WAS avoidable.
Even if we all agree that the Sutton signature is too large or too garish — I don’t necessarily think so on either case — this is no time to be pondering removal. The wounds are too fresh. If nothing else, delay the whole danged paint job a year.
Far too many college basketball courts are mosaics. Too much color, too much wild patterns, too many huge logos. Eddie Sutton Court was not on that list. You can say the lane color scheme — blending from orange to black — was not stylish and you can dislike the Pistol Pete logos out on the extended wing and you can lament the 21st-century OSU logo at midcourt. Those are art issues worth discussing.
But removing Eddie Sutton’s signature is not a topic that should be on this table. Not now.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Gotta paint it this year Berry because of the new three-point arc. That’s what they were trying to do, get all the painting done now.
June 24th, 2008 at 11:09 am
If they take Eddie’s signature off the court just proves that Holder has a vendetta against the Sutton’s. I’m tired of hearing that Holder loves OSU more than anyone. The Sutton’s kept the whole atheltic dept. floating till Picken’s came along.
June 24th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Leave the signature. Eddie Sutton did more good at OSU than will ever be offset by his mistakes. Paint the court, yes. Alter the signature ABSOLUTELY NOT! Go to okstate.com and vote now if you are a loyal OSU fan.
June 24th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
THE SIGNATURE WAS TOO, TOO MUCH! Keep his name in the corners, that’s about it. It still upsets me that Eddie, knew he had a drinking problem for many months before he got in the accident. I also, believe that the University knew. The thought that this was his first time that he got drunk, during the time he was coach, is silly. He did not do the University any favors by not addressing his problem before the accident forced him to.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
The court will still bear his name, regardless.
What difference does it matter if his signature is on the floor? Sounds a little egomaniacal.
For that matter, how can we be SURE that is Eddie’s signature? Without getting obnoxious, it looks a little too neat.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
the signature should remain and the heck with what the others say and yes SUTTON did great things for OSU and certain people made a shambles out of it. the signature on the floor is a exact replica of Eddie Sutton, i know, cause i have his autograph.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Why do you (Barry) and The Oklahoman insist on making such a big deal about a signature? As long as his name remains on the court (and as you point out, it appears in ALL 8 designs) why does it matter? It is Eddie Sutton court and will remain so whether his signature is there or not. Quit trying to make a controversy out of a non-issue.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Eric. You’re crazy if you think this is Trammels’s doing!! This is a typical Aggie move that deserves press. How dare OSU think that they can remove his signature from the court!! What’s next. Transforming the entire court into an exact likeness of Boone Pickens rear end, so every Aggie that shows up can get their fare share of brown noeing time in!!!! HAHA
June 25th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I love Eddie Sutton and respect everything he has done for OSU…..but I don’t see that it matters whether his name on the court is in the form of a signature or in printed letters. The tribute to the importance of Eddie Sutton to OSU remains the same, whichever form is displayed. This has the appearance of a controversy stirred by the media.