A column by Tom Shatel in Tuesday's editions of the Omaha World-Herald led to a number of discussions regarding Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson on sports talk radio programs and several message boards, including Huskerpedia.com.
Shatel's column outlined his surprise encounter with increased security at the new Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex. Seeking a copy of the Husker baseball media guide, Shatel encountered locked doors, security guards and unfriendly staffers.
On "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" on KOZN (1620 AM), Shatel called it "unnecessary" to be escorted to the Sports Information Office. He said he did not have an axe to grind with the school for not being noticed as the sports columnist with the state's largest daily newspaper.
"In a lot of ways, I try to be the eyes and ears for a lot of people," Shatel said. "I'm very lucky that I get to go a lot of places that a lot of people don't get to go. I guess we're all in the same boat in this deal."
Shatel said he received a call Tuesday from Associate Athletic Director Chris Anderson, who defended Pederson. Shatel also said the World-Herald has tried to get a one-on-one interview with Pederson for the past two two months.
"These people are top people who are accountable," Shatel told "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" co-hosts Kevin Kugler and Mike'l Severe. "For him to not even grant an interview is absolutely ridiculous."
Shatel said he learned Pederson was going to give the World-Herald an interview Tuesday afternoon, but it was called off when Pederson said he would only talk about the issues raised in Shatel's column and not anything else the World-Herald wanted to ask him.
KFAB (1110 AM) talk show host Scott Voorhees did speak with Pederson on his program Tuesday morning. Pederson defended the heightened security measures, saying they were necessary to ensure the safety of the school's female athletes.
