The Univ. of Memphis "has canceled plans to recognize" former men's basketball coach John Calipari in December "amid an outcry from fans unhappy with the decision," according to a front-page piece by Jason Smith of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. UM President David Rudd, in a response letter to fans posted on Twitter, "apologized for 'the unnecessary upset, embarrassment and genuine distress generated by the issue.'" Rudd on Wednesday announced the plan to honor Calipari with a "two-day 'homecoming' on Dec. 28 and 29." But late Thursday afternoon Rudd announced he had "canceled the school’s plans to honor Calipari altogether" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/11). The AP's Teresa Walker noted Calipari "heard of the brewing backlash from a friend" and on Thursday, before Rudd announced the new plans, said that "whatever Memphis does is fine with him." Rudd, who said he "read every email, post and responded to every call, wrote he was 'deeply troubled' by how upset people were at the idea" (AP, 9/10). CBSSPORTS.com's Garry Parrish wrote even though the cancellation is a "reasonable conclusion to the saga, it's still weird considering Calipari publicly thanked Memphis for the planned celebration late Wednesday, which means the relationship between Memphis and Calipari is likely now soured for good" (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/10).
