MBB: MAC Freedom League

[Leo The Lion]

CC-

I don't know what this "new" Citizen's Voice is you speak of.  So I really can't respond to that.  I don't really have a preference between the CV or the Leader.  I usually just read whatever's available at work.  I don't know anything about the writer, other than it appears from previous articles that he covers College and High School Basketball

Naismith-
The article says "cited", I'm no Legal Eagle, so I'm not exactly sure what or if there is a difference between "cited" and "arrested". 

I would like to point out that I'm not "too" far away from the College Days.  But it seemed to me that arrests were more common than you thought.  There were more than a few stories of people getting arrested for alcohol-related violations.  Of course whether those were factual or tall-tales, I'll never know.

I know that D-3 athletes should expect some scrutiny, after all public High School athletes get a lot of coverage in this area.  If this incident happens in September or May, I doubt it gets any press, but since we are in the middle of the season it received coverage.

As for any disciplenarian actions, I really don't want to speculate.  But I probably wouldn't come down too hard.  Maybe it's my jaded attitude from my college years, but I think this is more common than we all think.  I guess we will never no for sure.

-Leo

[Section J Guy]

Suspend them for one game ( if at all possibly against vs drew or del val) : end of story. 


Tell me more about these Wet T-Shirts you speak of ?

[upton]

Colonel,
     Here's a hand.  35 years old and I still haven't had my first beer yet.

     As for the players, if the coach has a policy, he should stick to it and give whatever punishment the policy states.

     As a former high school coach (not of basketball), I know that it is important to stick to your decisions and rules if you want to maintain control of your team and the respect of your players.

[Pat Coleman]

Pat maybe you could help me.How do you consider Scranton having 4 loses in the region.I`m pretty sure New jersey wouldn`t count in the region so if that is the case Scranton should only have 3.

FAQ.

Check the FAQ.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

Upton - congrats.  Walk proudly.  Your point rings true, but I still suspect you're in the minority.  Perhaps not a Mondale/Ferraro '84 minority, maybe a Bush '92 minority.

Naismith, if I were the coach, I have no idea what I'd do.  I'd hope there were guidelines, or a past case I could just point to and say, "Here's your punishment.  I'm sorry.  Keep practicing."

My only thoughts that lean me toward clemency - neither the provider, nor the consumer were driving anywhere.  There are shades of right and wrong, and clearly this is a dark gray, but it's no involuntary manslaughter, it's no DUI, it's no public intoxication.

[ColonelJohn4Life]

All that said, the real punishment for these guys should happen February 4th at DeSales.  DeSales fans, LISTEN UP.  You have 8 days, get creative.  Any time Cousart touches the ball, chant a beer's name at him. (perhaps Chimay Belgian Trappist Ale is too long, I advise Coors Light, two quick syllables.)  Anytime Moore touches the ball, scream about providing to minors.

ex.) Cousart misses a jumper, "Maybe when you turn 21, those shots will fall!"
ex.) Moore misses a free throw, "That rim's about as friendly as your parole officer!"

A loss at DeSales will be absolutely devastating to them.  DeSales fans, get it done.  Anything short of these guys walking off the court in tears, and I'll be disappointed in you.

[hoopzwiz]

Here's my question....
If the King's kids were on the tennis team would this be an issue.  I believe the answer is 'no'.  Basketball is more glamorous and headline grabbing than other sports so that so-called sports writer takes the opportunity to get his name out there and take a cheap shot at student-athletes doing the same thing as most other non-athletes.  The reporter should be embarassed and Coach Andrejko should keep the guy out of his gym.

All local coaches should stay away from that rag.  Give comments to the other papers, let that paper continue being a tabloid. 

Hey, Steve Bennett, I saw a volleyball player from Penn State-Hazleton j-walking, I think there's a story there.  Get to work Geraldo.

[rollingthunda]

I think most in-season alcohol violatoin policies probably carry something like a 2 game suspension.  Being an Etown grad, I know this is the policy there.  Picking certain games to sit the players because the opposing team is not good would be a bad show of character on the coaches part.  If there were too many players involved to sit at once because it they would barely have enough to play than staggered suspensions would suffice.  Otherwise, sitting them all for the next determined number of games is the only classy way to run a program.

hoopwiz,

I definitely agree with your point about this writer taking a cheap-shot at athletes.  I think it adds to the misperception that athletes are partiers on a much larger scale than most students when infact, 90% of there peers are doing the same exact thing they are.  Athletes are definitely more scrutinized because they are exposed to more people.

Colonel,

You are definitley my kind of fan.  I wont make it to the DeSales game, but would definitely like to hear what the student section puts out for that game.

[naismith]

A lot to respond to....the Reply mailbag is full....

CC,
Read both the local papers....the term 'rag' being simply a figure of speech....of course.
But you didn't answer the question of whom you write for? In a prior post, I think you alluded to the fact that you represented the media is some fashion. I think the conversation was with PC.  No?  I could be mistaken.

Leo,
The Citizen's Voice was purchased a few years ago. I think the Lynott family in Scranton now controls the Voice. Knight Ridder still owns the Times Leader. That's the 'new' CV.

Section J, 
The wet T-shirt thing happened some 7-8 years ago. A grad ass't at Wilkes was at a local saloon. There was a wet T-shirt contest and some underage Wilkes cagers were there as well. (they went there separately) This happened during the NCAA tourney. The players involved did not suit up for the next game.  I think Wilkes lost and that was the end of the issue. Not sure about the grad ass't. He certainly is not at Wilkes today and may have been reprimanded in some fashion...??

CJ and Upton,

I agree with Upton 100%.
You have rules. Enforce them!.
Coach's are in a unique position to help mold character and teach lessons about life.
If you have a non-drinking policy in force during the season, then proper punishment should be enforced.
It's not the 'magnitude' of the rules breech. It is that the players knew the rule and willingly broke it.
A selfish act done without consideration of your teammates, coach etc. etc.

The players should be willing to 'take the medicine that Coach JP or the King's administration prescribes.  JMHO.

Two additional things:

1) My sources (unamed Monarchians) pointed out that the Wilkes-Barre PD. received a grant to hire extra staff (time and 1/2) to bust beer parties at Kings and Wilkes.

2) This is not an internal King's bust.  This is a police bust in which one player was 'charged' with furnishing alcohol to minors.  A bit different that just being underage and drinking...don't you think?

Naismith

[NEPAFAN]

LOL, Colonel John, that's a real knee slapper, but not as funny as King's students throwing Olive Garden bills at a certain WIlkes player.
You remember? He wound up getting caught and arrested.

[wb1313]

Isn't it time to change the drinking age in this country??   

[Leo The Lion]

Naismith-

I too heard that rumor from your unnamed sources.  This may be a result of that.  I've also been informed that an article was written about the actions of a former area HS athlete at an Olive Garden so its not only King's athletes being picked on. 

Anyway hopefully tommorow's games can't shift the focus back on the basketball.   Kings vs. DelVal (DelVal played them tough at home) and of course there is that other underlying story and DeSales at Wilkes which is probably the game of the night.

[naismith]

Leo,

DeSales - Wilkes should be interesting...Will probably attend. Maybe CJ will be in town....although he is a Senunas guy at heart...

Not familiar with that Olive Garden story but it must be a funny one....

Naismith

[saratoga]

This Just In...Scranton holds Drew to 14 first half points @ Drew but then gets overwhelmed in the 2nd. half & loses by 2. From the sound of it on the radio, Arnold & Bicknell got hit with 2 quick fouls each within  the first 2 minutes of the 2nd. half to give them 4 each & over the first 12 minutes of the half, Drew outscored the Royals 18 to 3. No excuse for that loss...Jersey refs or otherwise. The Royals announcer stated that Drew was in the locker-room until there were 50 seconds to go before the start of the half, so Coach Towns must have really made some great adjustments & challenged the heart of his team...needless to say, they responded. This game & that comeback may be the game that saves Drew's season, conversly it may also be the game that sends a Scranton team that was hanging on by a thread into reverse...especially with their next game @ Kings. Sometimes this game is hard to figure...Scranton beats Drew by over 30 early...Drew gets hammered by Kings on Weds. at home...they are getting handled at will by the Royals in the 1st. half & then Scranton starts getting beat to loose balls, rebounds & ol'MO swings 180 degrees. UofS...your response of how this horror occured??? The Royals Smoke & Mirror machine breaks down in Madison...wonder if it can be fixed and soon? I'm sure this loss at some point in the near future will be pointed to...whether as a positive & learning experience or the one that killed a dream and exposed some real weakness remains to be seen. Regardless, an ugly loss for Scranton & a thing of beauty for the Drew kids & staff!

[Pat Coleman]

The Royals Smoke & Mirror machine breaks down in Madison...

Ouch. Tell us how you really feel...