Coach Alford at center of political controversy

HE'S FAMILIAR WITH CONTROVERSY -- NOW STEVE ALFORD FINDS HIMSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A POLITI...  More »

HE'S FAMILIAR WITH CONTROVERSY -- NOW STEVE ALFORD FINDS HIMSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A POLITICAL CONTROVERSY FOR AN APPEARANCE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE WITH DARREN WHITE. STUART DYSON IS LIVE AT THE PIT WITH WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT -- STU. IT STARTED WHEN DARREN WHITE ASKED THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT IF THE COACH WOULD BE THE MAIN COURSE AT A REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER FOR HIS RACE FOR CONGRESS - THE BAIT FOR BIG BUCKS - AND THE ANSWER WAS YES. ALFORD IS PROBABLY THE HOTTEST CELEBRITY IN NEW MEXICO SPORTS RIGHT NOW - AFTER HIS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FIRST SEASON WITH THE LOBOS IN BASKETBALL-CRAZED ALBUQUERQUE. SO HIS WILLINGNESS TO HANG OUT AND HOB NOB AT A REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER LOOKED LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK TO THE WHITE CAMPAIGN. ' We felt like the coach would be a good draw - and he had already agreed to do other events - and he could turn around and say no.' BUT HE SAID YES - JUST LIKE HE DID FOR A BILL RICHARDSON FOR PRESIDENT EVENT LATE LAST YEAR. AND FOR BILL'S FELLOW DEMOCRAT HARRY TEAGUE - RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT - LAST MAY. UNIVERSITY INSIDERS SAY PROMINENT DEMOCRATS PUT PRESSURE ON THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TO CANCEL ALFORD'S DATE WITH WHITE - IF SO IT DIDN'T WORK - BUT ALFORD'S BOSS IS TRYING TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE COACH AND POLITICS. ' We're trying to clear up the perception that Coach is somehow involved in the campaign - he's not - he was asked by me to attend a reception - which he agreed to do - he is not endorsing any candidate.'' I never questioned when he did it for the Governor - never questioned it when he did it for Harry Teague - and no one did - the only time that this has been questioned is that now it's for me - makes me feel like there's a different set of rules.' COACH ALFORD'S OUT OF STATE ON A RECRUITING TRIP - NO COMMENT TODAY. WHITE SAYS HE'S TALKING WITH KREBS ABOUT DETAILS OF ALFORD'S ROLE AT THE JULY SIXTEENTH FUNDRAISER - ON THE INVITATION - ALREADY APPROVED BY THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT - IT SAYS YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE COACH FOR A ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR DONATION TO WHITE'S CAMPAIGN. AT UNM ARENA STUART DYSON EYEWITNESS NEWS  « Less