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  1. says

    I’m a UCONN women’s basketball fan (a very gratifying kind of fan to be, of late), and I just got an extra thrill from this interview with coach Geno Auriemma:

    “I don’t give a [expletive] about religion when it comes to sports,” Auriemma said. “In fact, I think it’s stupid [to involve it]. I think everyone that goes on national television, and is asked why do you win, says ‘I want to thank God [for giving them the strength to perform].’ Really? Like God gives a [expletive] that you made 18 jump shots. I have always had a problem with that [thinking]. I have a problem with people showing their religion in public. I have a real problem with that. And I don’t care what religion it is.

    “And it’s funny. When I was in high school, we prayed before every game. And we prayed after every game. That’s part of the school you are at, part the religious experience of going to a Catholic school. I get that. I did that. I was all in favor of it. And, if I coached at a Catholic high school right now, I’d be doing the same thing.

    “But ever since I left high school, and ever since I have been a head coach, I don’t pay any mind to that stuff. We don’t pray in the locker room. We don’t pray in the hotel room, pregame or after a game. If you asked me the religion of my players, I would say I have no idea. I really don’t care. It’s none of my business. And I have tried to keep it that way.”

    Also, there’s a poll. You can vote on whether you agree with him or not. (He’s already winning big though.)