Knight School?

B told me about this the other evening, but I honestly thought he was joking. Alas, he is not, as here it is IN PRINT.

By BETSY BLANEY, Associated Press Writer
August 5, 2005
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Bob Knight will give one Texas Tech student the chance to play on his team in a reality show hosted by the Hall of Fame coach.

Sixteen students will attend ``Knight School,'' the name of the show set to air on ESPN in February, and Knight will whittle the class to one during six one-hour episodes. Filming will begin in late September.

That player will have endured what all Knight players do -- long hours of drills, conditioning and instruction -- and will have chance to be a walk-on for the 2006-07 season.

``It's a great opportunity for the kids at Texas Tech who want to have a shot at playing for a legend as well as learning from a legend,'' said Robert Lundgren, one of the show's executive producers with Knoxville, Tenn.-based RIVR Media.

Knight was out of town and unavailable to comment Friday. He told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that in addition to the tryout format, filming will include shots of the campus and the students in class and in other activities.

``From a public relations standpoint, this couldn't be any better for Texas Tech,'' Knight said.

Lundgren said the idea came from Dan Stone, chief executive officer with Hunnington, N.Y.-based WealthEffectMedia and another executive producer of the show.

Discussions about the show began about a year and a half ago and details were completed in recent weeks, Lundgren said.

``It's just one of those great ideas you hear,'' Lundgren said.

ESPN spokesman Rob Tobias said there will be story lines following those competing as well as a look inside Knight's coaching style.

``These are all the parts that make a successful reality show,'' Tobias said. ``This type of show has drama built into it.''

Athletic director Gerald Myers said Knight and his style will do well in front of cameras.

``Bob will be great with a show like this,'' Myers said. ``It'll be a great opportunity to play with one of the all-time great basketball coaches. He's excited about it. We're excited about it.''

Now, don't get me wrong. Bobby Knight is a basketball legend, however, I must say that I have reservations about this "reality" show. Despite Knight's record, I am certainly disillusioned with him as a coach. Great coaches are made by mentoring and motivating. Those are two traits that I find lacking in Bobby Knight.