Golden Opportunity Missed?

We often talk about ways to attract, retain, and develop creative talent here in West Virginia.  But how well are we doing?  If this story is true, not well.

Recently, a high profile position opened up and a person with a very bright future and innovative ideas was looked over.  Perhaps because he was from Connecticut?

From the AP:

He’s only 12, he doesn’t have a car and he lives nearly 500 miles from campus. But Joshua Irizarry’s heartfelt plea and willingness to work around obstacles got him a brief consideration for the gig as head football coach at West Virginia University.

Insisting it was ‘‘a completely serious offer,’’ the Connecticut boy outlines his skills in a letter to WVU President Mike Garrison when the job opened up in December.

They included ‘‘making up new plays to fool defenses in local sandlot games.’’

And he showed a knack for public relations: ‘‘Consider the publicity your campus would receive,’’ he wrote.

‘‘I understand this would be a move more suited for a team like Temple, but I am just asking for your consideration."

As you may have heard, someone else got the position.  It looks like WVU favored such factors as experience and past performance over pure fanaticism.

Surely we can find a place for this young man somewhere in our fine state.   Joshua, if you're listening, we're not all so close-minded.

- Justin Seibert
Direct Online Marketing