Want to see Marion Jones speak at UNC Asheville? Ummm, no thanks

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I’m all for famous Tar Heel athletes. And I’m certainly for giving people second chances. But I am not for paying UNCA $75 to see liar and cheater Marion Jones speak at an upcoming luncheon. Jones, you recall, was the track star who won five Olympic medals in 2000 who lied about her use of performance-enhancing drugs, then finally confessed and did six months in jail.

Here’s part of the press release:

Former Olympian and WNBA player Marion Jones will tell her story of Olympic glory and subsequent personal redemption on Tuesday, April 9th at UNC Asheville’s Wilma Sherrill Center. Jones will be the keynote speaker at the Our Turn to Play Luncheon presented by Wells Fargo from 11:30-1p.m. in the Sherrill Center.

The luncheon’s primary goal is to raise scholarship funds for UNC Asheville’s student athletes. The event will honor women as champions and leaders, as well as celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation that prohibited discrimination in education and athletics. WLOS TV-13’s Tammy Watford will be the emcee.

Seating is available by purchasing a table or individual ticket to the luncheon. Corporate and Group Tables offer seating for six, and there will be a UNC Asheville coach or student athlete at each table. Corporate tables are $600 and include advertising in the event program, on-table, and on the Kimmel Arena video boards. Group Tables without advertising are $400. Individual tickets are $75.

My colleague Karen Chavez agrees. She blogged the following:

Seems there are many other female athletes, like Asheville resident Lauren Tamayo, who has dedicated most of her life to keeping on the straight and narrow, to earn an Olympic medal the hard way, who would make for more appropriate keynote speakers to celebrate women as athletes and leaders.

Image link for Marion Jones.

6 Comments

UNCA Basketball Fan April 9, 2013 - 1:27 pm

UNCA comments can go here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BSY5C7Z

bob April 8, 2013 - 3:06 pm

to each his/her own

meg April 8, 2013 - 1:14 pm

Don’t JUDGE, people! If you’ve seen her story, she is TRULY sorry and PAID for her horrible mistake.

Jason Sandford April 8, 2013 - 2:00 pm

Meg, I’m not judging. My point is: I’m not paying to go see her speak; and there are better role models, MUCH better role models to draw upon, role models from our community.

Pathetic April 4, 2013 - 2:01 pm

This is truly embarrassing. Shame on UNCA.

Murphy April 3, 2013 - 11:15 am

I wonder what the response hase been (ticket sales) …

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