Gov. John Bel Edwards: There's room for Dale Brown, Sue Gunter on LSU basketball court
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards weighed in on the LSU basketball court naming controversy Thursday, saying he supports the addition of former women's Coach Sue Gunter's name to join former men's Coach Dale Brown's on the floor.
"I think the court is big enough for both names," Edwards told USA Today Network in Lake Charles following a press conference where he was celebrating a $150 million federal grant for a new bridge.
The LSU Board of Supervisors will decide tomorrow whether to honor Gunter along with Brown, whose name was enshrined on the court last year.
Edwards said some members of the LSU board, many of which he appointed, have asked his opinion, though they aren't bound by his wishes.
"I have said my personal opinion is that when you look at her body of work she is certainly deserving of the honor," the governor said.
Brown reached the Final Four with LSU in 1981 and 1986, winning 448 games in 25 years with the Tigers. Gunter won 442 games in 22 years at LSU and led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament 14 times. Brown is a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, while Gunter is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
LSU also has a statue of Gunter inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Edwards said he believes the committee that considered Gunter's inclusion will recommend to the board that her name be added to Brown's on the court.
More:What we know about LSU potentially changing Dale Brown Court name, adding Sue Gunter
The possibility of adding Gunter's name has drawn some fierce, high-profile opposition from national basketball analysts like Tim Brando, a Louisiana native who lives in Shreveport, and Dick Vitale.
"I am surprised because I've not heard anybody who supports adding (Gunter) say anything negative about Coach Brown," Edwards said. "It's very unfortunate that some people are portraying this as somehow being anti Coach Brown."
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU: John Bel Edwards supports Dale Brown, Sue Gunter on court
