Post by Phantom on Oct 4, 2005 13:57:07 GMT -5
POLLOCK: Another proud moment for Bona hoops
10/04/2005
Three years ago, the beleaguered St. Bonaventure men’s basketball coach inherited a scandal-plagued program reeling from the after-effects of the Jamal Terrell-eligibility fiasco and the controversial reign of his predecessor, Jan van Breda Kolff.
It was a given that Solomon needed time and couldn’t be held responsible for the roster he was handed.
But heading into his third year, he’s had to deal with several high-profile problems that have evolved on his own watch.
The latest embarrassment for Solomon’s program occurred early Sunday morning in front of an Allegany bar when senior guard Ahmad Smith and former Bonnie Kern Carter, whose career ended after last season due to a groin injury, were arrested along with three others for disorderly conduct.
Smith’s case, a misdemeanor, will be heard in Allegany Village Court on Oct. 18, four days after the Bonnies open practice.
IF IT seems Bona’s men’s program has come to represent an ongoing tribute to malfeasance, let’s review.
There was center/forward Paul Williams, the transfer from Siena, and his well-documented plagiarism incident. But, aside from the inherent moral issues, that transgression now seems tame by comparison.
Then there was point guard Tyler Relph, the transfer from West Virginia, who managed to log two alcohol-related arrests in a matter of months, the second a DWI, ultimately reduced to driving while ability impaired.
That conviction earned him a suspension for the Nov. 18 season opener against Robert Morris and unspecified sanctions from the university.
Now we have Smith, who should be the Bonnies’ captain this coming season ... except his arrest isn’t exactly the leadership Solomon was seeking.
Unless the charge is thrown out, some discipline has to be forthcoming from the basketball office, besides the legal resolution.
Another suspension?
But there’s more at stake here.
For starters, what Smith and Carter did fits the exact definition of knucklehead(s).
If you read Vinny Pezzimenti’s story on the incident, it’s clear police just wanted people to leave the scene, they weren’t looking to make a handful of arrests.
But that wasn’t good enough for five of the dozen-plus people involved in the altercation.
Smith, Carter and three others declined to leave and were charged.
What happened to “Just walk away?”
Instead, the names of those two Bonnies jump off the page — nobody cares about the other three — further ensuring Bona’s position as a punchline in Division I basketball and enhancing the perception that SBU’s program is populated by thugs.
AT SOME point, though, Solomon also has to answer for the men’s hoops problems.
This is a coach who preaches doing things “the right way” and high character by his players.
But these Bonnies show anything but.
And while Smith is a leftover from VBK’s tenure, Solomon brought in Relph, Williams and Carter.
A coach’s responsibility is emphasizing to his players the impact of their actions, not only on themselves, but also the program and the school.
Division I athletes forfeit their anonymity.
The same media that documents their athletic performances also recounts their transgressions.
That’s the trade-off.
The problem for Bona players is what would be ignored in New York, Philadelphia or Washington is big news in Olean and Allegany.
Apparently, Solomon hasn’t successfully transmitted that message to his squad.
And he might start by insisting his players stay away from local bars ... age 21, or not.
But, until he does, history says Bonnies will keep showing up in the police reports.
(Chuck Pollock is sports editor of The Times Herald.)
10/04/2005
Three years ago, the beleaguered St. Bonaventure men’s basketball coach inherited a scandal-plagued program reeling from the after-effects of the Jamal Terrell-eligibility fiasco and the controversial reign of his predecessor, Jan van Breda Kolff.
It was a given that Solomon needed time and couldn’t be held responsible for the roster he was handed.
But heading into his third year, he’s had to deal with several high-profile problems that have evolved on his own watch.
The latest embarrassment for Solomon’s program occurred early Sunday morning in front of an Allegany bar when senior guard Ahmad Smith and former Bonnie Kern Carter, whose career ended after last season due to a groin injury, were arrested along with three others for disorderly conduct.
Smith’s case, a misdemeanor, will be heard in Allegany Village Court on Oct. 18, four days after the Bonnies open practice.
IF IT seems Bona’s men’s program has come to represent an ongoing tribute to malfeasance, let’s review.
There was center/forward Paul Williams, the transfer from Siena, and his well-documented plagiarism incident. But, aside from the inherent moral issues, that transgression now seems tame by comparison.
Then there was point guard Tyler Relph, the transfer from West Virginia, who managed to log two alcohol-related arrests in a matter of months, the second a DWI, ultimately reduced to driving while ability impaired.
That conviction earned him a suspension for the Nov. 18 season opener against Robert Morris and unspecified sanctions from the university.
Now we have Smith, who should be the Bonnies’ captain this coming season ... except his arrest isn’t exactly the leadership Solomon was seeking.
Unless the charge is thrown out, some discipline has to be forthcoming from the basketball office, besides the legal resolution.
Another suspension?
But there’s more at stake here.
For starters, what Smith and Carter did fits the exact definition of knucklehead(s).
If you read Vinny Pezzimenti’s story on the incident, it’s clear police just wanted people to leave the scene, they weren’t looking to make a handful of arrests.
But that wasn’t good enough for five of the dozen-plus people involved in the altercation.
Smith, Carter and three others declined to leave and were charged.
What happened to “Just walk away?”
Instead, the names of those two Bonnies jump off the page — nobody cares about the other three — further ensuring Bona’s position as a punchline in Division I basketball and enhancing the perception that SBU’s program is populated by thugs.
AT SOME point, though, Solomon also has to answer for the men’s hoops problems.
This is a coach who preaches doing things “the right way” and high character by his players.
But these Bonnies show anything but.
And while Smith is a leftover from VBK’s tenure, Solomon brought in Relph, Williams and Carter.
A coach’s responsibility is emphasizing to his players the impact of their actions, not only on themselves, but also the program and the school.
Division I athletes forfeit their anonymity.
The same media that documents their athletic performances also recounts their transgressions.
That’s the trade-off.
The problem for Bona players is what would be ignored in New York, Philadelphia or Washington is big news in Olean and Allegany.
Apparently, Solomon hasn’t successfully transmitted that message to his squad.
And he might start by insisting his players stay away from local bars ... age 21, or not.
But, until he does, history says Bonnies will keep showing up in the police reports.
(Chuck Pollock is sports editor of The Times Herald.)
