Here’s the latest — and dare we say, hopefully last — chapter in the saga of UNM basketball coach Steve Alford’s attendance of a fundraiser for 1st Congressional District GOP Candidate Darren White.

It comes from the Albuquerque Journal’s Jeff Jones:

 

Lobos hoops coach Steve Alford says he’ll keep his word and attend a political fundraiser that has New Mexico sports fans and politicos buzzing — but he won’t pose for the $1,000-a-pop photos with donors as advertised on the invitation.

UNM coach Steve Alford"I don’t endorse political candidates. However, I’m a man of my word and plan to attend the event," Alford said of Wednesday’s fundraiser for Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, the Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District.

Alford and White said in separate statements that a breakdown in communication led the campaign to believe Alford had agreed be the star of the event co-sponsored by a pair of University of New Mexico regents at the home of a university lobbyist.

In fact, he had only agreed to be a role player by putting in an appearance.

"I also explained to Darren that I don’t charge money for photographs, since I’ve always thought that it’s wrong for athletes to charge fans for autographs and photos," Alford said in a statement issued by the university.

"I very much look forward to Coach Alford being our special guest," White said in a statement of his own.

Blogger Joe Monahan also offered his take on the development today. Monahan wrote:

UNM atheltic boss Paul Krebs says there will be guidelines drafted for employee politicking. That should make for interesting half-time reading. Give a couple of copies to the Lobo Club, Paul. They seem very interested.

White took a hit for his role in the controversy because it appeared his campaign was reeling the coach in without telling him the whole story, but it was not partisan politics aimed at Darren; it was and and is about the role of politics–D or R–at UNM. But we’ve already said that and more this week. (Head Lobo junkie Rick Wright is on the same page, opining here.)