David’s sling

I’m a decadeslong fan and supporter of the ASU Sun Devils. I’ve also always been totally wrapped up in the story of Grand Canyon University at the other end of the spectrum, from its days as a small-college baseball power to its NAIA national basketball championship.

GCU was the little Baptist school that desperately sought attention, almost closed and now has made a huge comeback financially as an enormously successful, for-profit institution. So much so that athletically its about to enter its first season in NCAA Division I and the Western Athletic Conference.

But ASU said no.

President Michael Crow has instructed all his coaches not to play GCU. No Christians vs. Devils! He’s reportedly asked the rest of the Pac-12 schools to do the same and for the NCAA to take back the Antelopes’ Division I credentials.

Crow is a brilliant administrator and fundraiser. He understands image. So will someone explain to me how he expects to garner public support for his 73,000-student Goliath attempting to take away David’s sling — a weapon, by the way, given to Grand Canyon University by a real giant, Jerry Colangelo.

I’m Pat McMahon.

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