Epic? Yeah, Probably.

Epic is so overused these days. It used to be that a dude - any dude - could just say "yeah, brah, it's gonna be epic" and he'd get a knowing nod. Now everything is epic. Witness:


That party last night*? Epic.



That slushi I just had? Epic.



That one time, 2 years ago, when we road tripped it to Panama City? Epic.



Space Mountain? Epic.


You see - when a word gets used in contexts for which it is not appropriate, it gradually loses its original meaning - and thus - loses its punch. Epic was first used as a word only describing the most over the top events. Now? My morning constitutional was epic. Allow me to educate:

Epic:
1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.

2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.

3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.

4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.

Assuming we can throw out the first two definitions, we're left with "heroic; majestic; impressively great" or "of unusually great size or extent."

Well folks - in the truest definition of the word - the proportion of ill will, hatred, and bitterness resulting in the split of Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia has officially reached "epic."


HT: The Wiz

Full .pdf of the affidavit here
Rundown of Osama Bin Richrod here.

Ostensibly to make WVU look bad, Calvin MaGee (former assistant at WVU, current assistant at UM) claimed that Aschebrook - on behalf of the WVU athletic administration - told him that he would not be considered for the head coaching job because of his skin color.

"Specifically, Mr. MaGee has asserted that I [Aschebrook] told him that he would not be considered for the head coaching job at West Virginia University because of the color of his skin, and he also asserts that I stated 'this is West Virginia, they ain't [sic] up to the times yet, you know why...a lot of big boosters won't relate to you.' Finally, Mr. MaGee claims that I gestured to the top of his wrist as further evidence that his skin color was the reason for him not receiving consideration for the position of head football coach at WVU"

Who is Aschebrook? Well - he was an athletic fund raiser at WVU, before being painted a racist. He currently works in the same capacity (as far as I know - please correct me in the comments section if I'm wrong) for Arizona State. He is also categorically denying that any racist gesture or statement was made. From the affidavit:

"So there can be no misunderstanding, I NEVER made any racially discriminatory gesture, remark or engaged in any such conversation with Mr. MaGee during his entire time at West Virginia University"

What is left to determine is whether Aschebrook is a slimeball trying to weasel his way out of a stupid comment, or whether he's genuinely been slighted by MaGee and Rodriguez in an attempt to paint the WVU administration as racist, incompetent, and really mean. Remember, there is the small issue of a $4mil lawsuit to be settled.

I really do encourage you to read the entire affidavit, mostly because it's really interesting. I'm very surprised that whatever lawya went over this allowed it to be published as such - what with all the "that's fu-ud up" comments made by the accused.

Were these racial comments completely fabricated by Rich Rodriguez and his assistant Calvin MaGee in their secret laboratory under Fort Schembechler? Or is Aschebrook trying to save some face by turning this into yet another "he said, she said" argument that can never be settled?

Time will tell. I do know that Michigan just needs all of this to go away. I guarentee you E60 and "Outside the Lines" are having a battle right now on who gets to do the story here - and anytime your program ends up on either show, you've got problems.** Rodriguez and now MaGee are not petulant children refusing to take their medicine. In my estimation, they have a legitimate beef with the contract and buy-out at WVU - if they didn't the court wouldn't have upheld their right to contest it. However, the media is painting both to be that petulant child refusing to play by the rules, taking their ball, and going home. Michigan won't stand for that. Not a down of football has been played, and already Michigan is getting more negative press than (probably) they did during the entirety of Lloyd Carr's career. Bill Martin is sweating. Mary Sue Coleman can't be happy. Michigan needs this to go away, and they need it to go away now. Epic should be applied to wins, seasons, and championships. It shouldn't be applied to problems. Right or wrong, Rodriguez - for the good of the university for which he now works - should pay up and make this go away as quickly and quietly as possible.

*Picture taken from the "world space party" which is pure unabridged awesome.

**Unless the story has to do with giving championship rings to dying kids, or something of that nature. If a kid ain't dying, then it can't be good (too harsh?).