FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Wildman]

It seems interesting that if the alleged recruiting violations came to light in mid April as their press release indicates, Oxy didn't release anything publicly until after May 1st.  Does that have any to do with application deadlines, or is it just a coincidence?   If, in fact, Oxy is guilty of recruiting violations, will they allow anyone they got in response to improper recruiting to play this fall?  Firing the coach is one thing and may be appropriate if what they say occurred is true.  It just doesn't seem to me you can fire the coach and then reap the benefit of the actions he was fired for.

[Gray Fox]

It seems strange that a man goes 28 years with a clean record and than suddenly becomes a major cheater in need of being fired.  

[wildcat11]

This stinks for Oxy and their football family.  I liked Widolff a lot as a coach and enjoyed watching and playing against those Oxy teams. 

I'm with GF that a guy that almost had 30 years under his belt and had a GREAT reputation would get the boot for a violation.  Just seems crazy.  Not sure if we're ever know the whole truth but I hope the Oxy football program will be able to recover.

[Gray Fox]

This is what Oxy just posted on Facebook in response to a lively discussion of this.

We understand why this issue stirs such passion, and appreciate those who have tried to approach it thoughtfully. The NCAA has asked Occidental to not disclose additional information regarding the self-reported violation while the investigation is underway. Oxy's action in this case is based on its knowledge of the facts and with the ultimate aim of demonstrating a commitment to the rules of the NCAA – which apply equally to all divisions -- a capacity to self-police, and with an eye toward mitigating sanctions on the program or players.

This was not a decision made lightly, nor is it without regard to the tremendous contribution that Dale Widolff has made over his more than three decades of coaching at Oxy. Nevertheless, Oxy intends to honor the obligations under which it operates as a member of the NCAA with an eye toward safeguarding all student athletes who participate in NCAA sports.

[El Tigre]

Man I haven't posted on here since I graduated in '06, but I feel under the circumstance I need to say something. There used to be a saying that one of the coaches used to scream out at the beginning of every practice, "It's a great day to be a tiger". However, it seem right now it's a very sad day to be a tiger. I'm completely sadden my the termination of coach Widolff for he was like a father figure to ever single man that came across his gridiron! He was a mentor and most of all a friend, but to me he was the reason I was able to graduate from OXY being there for me my senior year when times got hard. Unfortunately, at this point there is no word on what the alleged recruiting violations are because OXY is hiding behind the "iron curtian" that it's a private college. Currently there are about 125 alumni on a facebook mass message talking back and forth about calling everyone from the guy that does the gardening to the president voicing their outrage about the current situation. Everyone feels the same way, that the college reacted quick to the draw in terminating Widolff before the NCAA had concluded its investigation.

As far as the discussion regarding the new AD Jaime Hoffman having it out for Widolff I think this is very possible. I heard via an e-mail sent to the president from the parent of a current football player that four years ago in a parents of student athletes meeting that Jaime H. the AD spoke and was quoted in saying that OXY athletics, "wasn't all about the football program, although some people think it is!" if this is true then this outrageous.  It appears that this was the start of a ripple effect that continued to this week, in which Widolff was terminated. While football is a very strong program we all know that it is not everything. We as a team during my 4 years would frequently go to many of the other teams games and in 2005 we started the "black hole" in which we all would wear ref jersey and attend the basketball games. Anyone who was there would remember us. We showed our support for OXY athletics as a whole.  In wake of the 2010 investigation where Widolff was suspended for 6 weeks for violating NCAA policy, which I must say he self reported. The violations then were that Widolff had paid a student athlete $80 to fix his computer and, also, that there a couple players had an offseason practice facilitated by the coach. Concluding the investigation the NCAA said, "The rule violations for which Occidental College head football coach Dale Widolff was suspended should be classified as secondary and will result in no sanctions from the NCAA."

It appears from all the responses that there is no way that the college will even consider bring Widolff back to OXY. However, while the push to voice our distaste has not stopped we have also started heading smaller groups. the first is a push the school to hire Eric bergstrom the current Interm HC. Bergstrom has been with the program since I was playing at OXY and knows the program and it's history very well. The majority of recent OXY alumni beleive that he will best serve to keep the rich OXY history alive.  The second is to finish what Widolff had started and tht is to try and get Andy Collin's jersey number retired at OXY in wake of his death at the end of last year. This was somethign very important to Widolff, as well as, many of the OXY alums who had played with him myself included. I appriciate you guys listening to be ramble on.... CHEERS!

[D O.C.]

You deserve to ramble on. The situation with Andy, and now coach, is mind boggling to you guys, yeah, and girls.

[RFB]

Oxy football coach Dale Widolff fired...

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120509kmkfpw

OxyBob

What are they smoking up in Eagle Rock? Coach Widolff is a class act who did it the right way no matter what violation they are speaking of. Sad day for the SCIAC.

[formerd3db]

Gentlemen:

I have one question regarding this recent Oxy incident.  How is it that the administration is able to not release further information as to the details of the firing? Is there some law that prohibits this, aside from the NCAA asking them not to comment further?  I do not understand it because, at the very least, wouldn't you think that parents and students who attend the school (and who pay the tuition, R&B, etc.,etc.) have a right to know?  Wouldn't the Freedom of Information Act apply?  Unless, the coach and the administration and attorneys on both sides have made an agreement not to comment publically on this also, and in conjunction with the NCAA's request.  It is similar to the DePauw University firing of its head coach a few years ago- no details were released publically and to this day, it is my understanding, only a few alumni (and those involved) really know the entire truth as to "what went down".  I am just curious-thanks.

[DoubleDomer]

Gentlemen:

I have one question regarding this recent Oxy incident.  How is it that the administration is able to not release further information as to the details of the firing? Is there some law that prohibits this, aside from the NCAA asking them not to comment further?  I do not understand it because, at the very least, wouldn't you think that parents and students who attend the school (and who pay the tuition, R&B, etc.,etc.) have a right to know?  Wouldn't the Freedom of Information Act apply?  Unless, the coach and the administration and attorneys on both sides have made an agreement not to comment publically on this also, and in conjunction with the NCAA's request.  It is similar to the DePauw University firing of its head coach a few years ago- no details were released publically and to this day, it is my understanding, only a few alumni (and those involved) really know the entire truth as to "what went down".  I am just curious-thanks.

FOIA applies to the executive branch of the federal government; counterpart state records laws apply to state governmental entities.  Occidental College is neither.  If Oxy were a publicly-funded university, all of the records would be public records.  Some would be shielded by specific state law exceptions, but others (arguably, at least) wouldn't.  The argument is academic, though, since Oxy--short of disclosure in the context of a lawsuit or some other compulsory process--no sooner need disclose information related to its employment relationships than does, say, a private employer like Apple Computer.

[formerd3db]

DD:

Thanks for the explanation.  I can understand those laws and, of course, the Occidental College administration has every right to keep such decisions/process confidential if they so chose and, again, whatever agreement they made with the NCAA in the latter's request.  However, I will say this...if I was a parent with a student-athlete and paying some huge $ for tuition/R&B, etc. to send my kid at such a private college as you mention, I sure as heck believe that I should have the right to be informed as to what the situation was in regards to the head coach being fired. Unless there was some actual legality pertaining to that person's individual personal rights that would not permit that - and I admit ignorance in that as I do not know what that might be, although on the other hand would not be surprised if there was one.  Also, perhaps the coach also desired to have it kept confidential.  That said, I would think that the next employer he may have who would hire him as a coach would want to and/or insist on what had transpired and why.  Anyway, this is now past action and obviously all parties want to move on.  Again, thanks for the follow-up and explanation.

[chazmichaelmichaels]

You kind of have to look past the stupid LA Times blocking device, but it says Bill Redell formerly of Oaks Christian HS met with the Oxy staff and is strongly considering becoming the next head coach.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2012/05/football-bill-redell-is-expected-to-be-next-occidental-college-coach.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+VarsityTimesInsider+%28Varsity+Times+Insider%29

[OxyBob]

You kind of have to look past the stupid LA Times blocking device, but it says Bill Redell formerly of Oaks Christian HS met with the Oxy staff and is strongly considering becoming the next head coach.

Redell got the job...

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120518zby71r

OxyBob

[river]

You kind of have to look past the stupid LA Times blocking device, but it says Bill Redell formerly of Oaks Christian HS met with the Oxy staff and is strongly considering becoming the next head coach.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2012/05/football-bill-redell-is-expected-to-be-next-occidental-college-coach.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+VarsityTimesInsider+%28Varsity+Times+Insider%29

You kind of have to look past the stupid LA Times blocking device, but it says Bill Redell formerly of Oaks Christian HS met with the Oxy staff and is strongly considering becoming the next head coach.

Redell got the job...

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120518zby71r

OxyBob

From the articles on Redell, he has the pedigree, playing experience, and the recruiting connections in the Cali market.  Will his winning record as a high school coach translate into winning at the college level, even though, as he says, DIII Oxy is not on a par athletically with the Ivy League?   

[Kingsmen4]

You kind of have to look past the stupid LA Times blocking device, but it says Bill Redell formerly of Oaks Christian HS met with the Oxy staff and is strongly considering becoming the next head coach.

Redell got the job...

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120518zby71r

OxyBob

Good pickup for Oxy ... He is old but his ties in SoCal HS football (especially in regards to private schools) will help immensely in bringing in good, 4 year talent. It will be interesting to see how long he plans to stay ... apparently he was set to retire this year. Should be good for the SCIAC all around. My concern if I was an Oxy alum or current player would be the loss of support within the alumni (guys that played for Widolff for the last 30 years). CLU went through a similar situation when the founder and base of the CLU football program (Coach Shoup) was "pushed" away from the University years ago. Most of the guys that played under Shoup are just now coming back in terms of support for the program and University, after a 15-20 year hiatus. Guys that feel that the Widolff firing is wrong may not be inclined to follow, help, or actively be a part of the "new" Oxy program for a while and that can hold a program back.

-Go LU

[DoubleDomer]

Wow, not a bad pick-up on the fly by Oxy. 

Now I'm waiting for Tiger alumnus Kyle Sweeney to recruit Widolff into CMS's opening for a linebackers coach, and then to bring Bill Dobson back into the SCIAC as well.  Screw the Drum; Redell, Andersen, and Ciasulli on one sideline and Sweeney, Widolff, and Dobson on the other would certainly add a nice touch of spice to the annual meeting between Oxy and CMS.