“We'd like people to say to one another, "Hey, let's ride over and see the UC-Miami game,'” Minter said this week. “Once we can get 'em here, we can win 'em over.”

        If that wasn't sad, it was at least ... unfortunate. The head football coach at a large Division I program should not have to grovel to the public for some love. Minter, bless him, ain't too proud to beg.

        He sounds like Sam Cooke, wailing “Another Saturday Night”: “If I can meet 'em, I can get 'em/As yet I haven't met 'em/That's why I'm in the state I'm in.”

        Minter is in a state. So is Bob Goin, the athletic director. Nine years ago, when he was the AD at Florida State, Goin had to quell a student uprising on the lawn in front of the president's office. Some 200 kids stood there, agitating for access to the Miami (Fla.) game.

        All they wanted was 25,000 more tickets. That's dreamland for Minter.

        “I'm willing to do anything,” he said Thursday. “I'll go beg people to come. I don't want to have to do that. But I'll do that if it helps.”

        “I think that's not good,” said Goin, not regretting Minter's effort, but the fact it is required.

        Minter speaks at civic functions all the time, for all sorts of charities. He says he has never turned down a group. If you've got rubber chicken, he's your man.

        How many want to know about UC football?

        “Very few,” he said.

        That's lousy for all sorts of reasons, the biggest being: UC works at getting your attention and your money. UC wants you to have a good time at its football games.

        UC discounts tickets. UC runs promotions. UC does everything but send a limo to your door.

        Nippert Stadium is a good place to watch a game. UC football players are active in the community. For 12 hours Monday, they're helping to paint a local middle school. And if your quilting club desperately needs a speaker, Minter is your man.

        The program has done some upgrading: a confer ence tie-in, a TV package, a bowl chance.

        It seems only fair to reward such striving.

        We don't, of course. UC is averaging about 19,500 a game, the same 19,500 it has averaged forever.

        “I never want to come across as critical of people who don't come,” Goin said.

        “I cherish the people who do come out,” Minter said.

        As for the rest of you: What's your problem?

        “Sometimes I'm miffed,” Goin said. “But I understand.”

        “Sometimes it's been disappointing,” Minter said. “But I understand.”

        I don't. Eventually, if you are human, you begin to take it personally. I doubt Minter would admit to that, but I'm guessing a part of him feels slighted.

        So just go Saturday. UC-Mi ami, 2 p.m. Nippert Stadium. What else do you have going on?

        Ease Rick Minter's pain.

        Ease Bob Goin's mind.

        Consider it a civic good deed, like giving blood or donating to the United Way. Write it off as a charitable deduction.

        Just go. Don't make the coach beg.

        Paul Daugherty welcomes your comments at 768-8454.

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