Eastman to Stay at Washington State
Men's basketball coach eliminates Univ. of Richmond rumors.
March 21, 1997
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State head men's basketball
coach Kevin Eastman released the following statement Friday
afternoon from his hotel room in Las Vegas, Nev., where he is
recruiting:
"After a couple of days of thought and discussion with my family, I
feel it is in the best interest of all involved that I remain at
Washington State as the basketball coach. Returning to my alma
mater (University of Richmond) is very intriguing, as I feel without
the experiences the University of Richmond provided me, I would
not be where I am today."
"I also would like to take this time to correct some very erroneous
rumors that spread throughout the process."
"Number one, going to Richmond was not a done deal when these
rumors started two to three weeks ago."
"Number two, I was contacted just about one week ago, not the
reported two to three weeks ago."
"Number three, I never met face to face with the Richmond athletic
director (Chuck Boone)."
"Number four, I never set foot on the Richmond campus the past
week, or the past two years, for that matter. In fact, I have been
traveling non-stop recruiting since March 11."
"Number five, I was never offered a future athletic directors job nor
would I have ever wanted it discussed as Richmond has a quality
athletic director and very competent people in house now."
"Number six, our family is very happy here in Pullman. I think
people have tried to say otherwise. Those people who do say that
are wrong and don't know our family. It seems to our family other
people bash Pullman when in fact we feel, from a quality of life
standpoint, this is easily the nicest place we have ever lived. If
adults would stop to figure out how important their families and
children should be, I think more people would really hope to raise
their families in an environment such as Pullman."
"Was it a difficult decision? Yes it was and the reason is very
simple. The University of Richmond had a major impact on my life.
I have had other schools contact me in my past three years at
Washington State and I have said no immediately. However, when
Richmond came up, that was different."
"With as much loyalty and love as Cougars have for Washington
State, that is a feeling I have for my alma mater and there is
nothing wrong to admit that."
