FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[wesleydad]

gordan, not sure if you will see this here, but find me before the game in the tailgate area this weekend.  i know you are working but it would be nice to chat before the game.

[bill]

Any takers on this little tidbit?
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20101202/NEWS01/101202015/Football-players-charged-in-burglaries-of-Wesley-dorms

Uhggggg

[gordonmann]

Wes Dad:

Cool.  Will do.

[Lyco80]

Let me begin by stating everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

This is the way our system of criminal justice operates.

Oftentimes folks who are guilty get off on technicalities or sloppy investigatory practices or inefficient prosecutors.

That is as much a part of the jurisprudence landscape as block in the back penalty flags - that are away from the play and have little to do with the outcome - negate a kick-off return for a touchdown.

All those disclaimers aside, there is something very sad that college athletes, at the top of their game, would be so tempted to resort to this activity.

It makes me wonder about the whole panoply of parenting issues - including family of origin and their own sense of right and wrong and individual responsibility.

Then there is the other notion that asks if this is isolated behavior or the time when they simply got caught.

It is a pity that D3 football, which is often on a different scale than pro football or big-time college football, mirrors the same misadventures of its big brothers.

It will be interesting to see how the school handles this situation.

By the way, is there anyone on this site who does not believe that Cam Newton is compromised and the whole thing is being ignored for a big money payday with Auburn vs. Oregon?

Such a shame and so harmful to the rest of the team - perhaps if these guys are found guilty they can lead the convicts in a game against the guards and steal their uniforms for the game?

ATB

[maxpower]

Let me begin by stating everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

It makes me wonder about the whole panoply of parenting issues - including family of origin and their own sense of right and wrong and individual responsibility.

Then there is the other notion that asks if this is isolated behavior or the time when they simply got caught.

I think you gotta pick one here. If you truly believe they're innocent until proven guilty, there's no call for speculating about their possibly dysfunctional family histories on a public forum that anyone can read.

[Lyco80]

Max,

You raise an interesting point.

My comments regarding dysfunction were not meant to pre-judge this scenario but as a social comment that it is distressing to see those who have been gifted with athletic talent fritter the opportunity away for what are often very transient and fleeting reasons.

Your comment goes to the heart of the tension between the presumption of innocence, which attaches to all charged, and the 1st Amendment which permits speculation about the conditions that MAY have led to this unhappy set of circumstances.

To be sure, dysfunction is not the only condition that leads to run-ins with the law, alcohol is often involved too.

But here are four athletes - with, one would hope, some appreciation for the opportunity before them.  And yet,  collectively or individually there could not be found a voice of reason in the group.  No one who might have said "what are we doing here?" "Let's go watch some film."

Choices have consequences and when you are a member of a team, involved in the hunt for a national championship, your commitment to your teammates should be enough of a governor to check you from acting out your impulses.

This nation cannot rely alone upon the protection of personal rights without the accompanying aspect of personal responsibility.

I do see your point, though.

ATB

[maxpower]

No doubt. Thanks for a good response.


When I was at Ithaca, the paper published the name of a student charged with rape. Now, I'm not one to give rape suspects any leeway at all, but the following week the charges were dropped; this kid now will have that ish come up on google when people search for him. I hope it hasn't ruined anything for him. Obviously I prefer the first part of your post .

[Lyco80]

Max,

On point with your recent post.

Secretary of Labor, Raymond Donovan, during the Reagan Administration, was charged with all sorts of illegal activity and when exonerated at the Federal Courthouse in Newark, NJ asked the judge what office he could go to in order to get his good name and reputation back.

Naturally, there is no such office.

All the more reason, particularly in the public eye, and that is a very loose and broad concept, the need for good judgment.

A man totally innocent of any wrongdoing googled himself only to learn he was wanted for murder.

The internet is a mixed bag - great for looking up information and yet making it simple to plagiarize another persons work.  And on it goes . . .

Pity Aflred is not giving MU a better game but the UK - UNC game is worth the price of admission.

ATB

[maxpower]

Haha... how did you know I had flipped on UNC-KY...

[Lyco80]

Smarter than I look . . .

[wesleydad]

lyco80, the situation was handled as it should have been by the school.  the players were removed from the team, i also believe they have been kicked out of the school.  one thing i know for sure is the coach drass does not tolerate this stuff.

[Lyco80]

Wesleydad,

Thanks for the update.

This entire unnecessary situation presents very few, if any, good choices.

Suspend them - they are cleared of the charges - Wesley loses/wins.

Kick them off the team - they are cleared of the charges - Wesley loses/wins.

Keep them - they are found guilty - Wesley wins or loses

Do nothing until the legal process - which takes time - runs its course and the school - President, A.D. Coach all look weak or more concerned more with winning than character and integrity.

These are only some of the permutations - all bad.

The best outcome would have for the players to have not allowed themselves to get into the situation in the first place - and even my language and use of past tense and passive phraseology indicates the level of the problem.

Real simple - don't break the law! 

Millions of people manage to live an entire lifetime without spending time in the clutches of the criminal justice system.

It is a shame that these young men, with everything to lose, would risk it all for something so fleeting.

ATB

[kate]

Congratulations to Del Val's Head Football Coach, Jim Clements, selected as the 2010 Division 3, Region 2 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.  Please read more on the Aggie athletic website.

[Lyco80]

Wow - four karma smites for writing the truth - and apparently those dishing it out did so under stealth conditions.  I would rather they pick up an argument and stand a post for I care little for what they feel they are entitled to since it appears they can't handle the truth.

And that is plain funny no matter who you are . . . Get 'er dun.

ATB

[maxpower]

Did ya one better Lyco.