Post by MIKE MACALUSO on May 5, 2005 11:06:25 GMT -5
Trouble gives it the old college try
5/5/2005
By JERRY SULLIVAN
For years, I lamented Buffalo's status as an insignificant speck on the college sports landscape. But it was always a comfort to know that when you don't have a major program in town, you're spared all the scandal and misbehavior that goes along with it.
Oh, for that simpler time! The UB basketball program only recently recovered from NCAA probation. St. Bonaventure is still reeling from the Jamil Terrell recruiting scandal of two years ago. Last winter, the Canisius hockey team forced out a head coach, wrecked a hotel room and caused the downfall of an athletics director.
But in basketball alone, this has been an especially disturbing time. Here's a recap of the reputed misdeeds that have come to light in the past four weeks.
Paul Williams, a forward who transferred to Bona from Siena, got an "F" in a sociology course after admitting to plagiarism. Some faculty are grumbling over suggestions that Williams be allowed to drop the course and remove the failing grade, preserving his eligibility.
Wally Hall, a UB freshman guard, was suspended indefinitely after being charged with possession and sale of marijuana on campus. Hall's status is under review.
Tyler Relph, a guard who transferred to Bona from West Virginia last year, was suspended for violating the school's code of conduct. Relph, a former Rochester McQuaid star, was charged with driving while intoxicated in the early hours of April 17 in Allegany. It was Relph's second alcohol-related offense since his arrival at Bona.
Lorenzo Miles, a sophomore point guard for Niagara, was charged with assault last weekend after another student claimed Miles had punched him in the mouth. Miles was a starter for the Purple Eagles' MAAC champs last season and is expected to be a team leader next season.
Jim Crowley and Scott Young, the Bona women's head coach and assistant, were placed on leave last week after a female employee complained that they were causing her discomfort in the workplace.
I'm sure they all have perfectly good explanations. Maybe it's a fluke that all these stories surfaced at the same time. But it's a troubling coincidence for our modest corner of the collegiate athletic world.
Yes, today's college campuses are loose, volatile places. Kids will be kids. They'll drink and cheat and fight. But fair or not, scholarship athletes are held to a higher standard. They're public figures who have been given a free education and asked to represent their school with honor.
It's particularly alarming to see a spate of problems at St. Bonaventure, which is still trying to recover from its profound national humiliation of two years ago.
"I don't know if St. Bonaventure, or any college campus, is much different from the nation as a whole," said David P. Ferguson, vice president for marketing and public relations. "There are issues and problems that affect people in this population group. You just deal with it."
Sister Margaret Carney, who took over as Bona president in the wake of the hoop scandal, is trying to deal with it. In February, she launched an initiative to promote responsible student behavior, with a focus on alcohol. It's commendable. But the Williams and Relph situations make you wonder if the school is doing enough to monitor its basketball program.
Williams and Relph transferred after failing to fit in elsewhere. Relph couldn't abide John Beilein's structured offense. He had a reputation as a locker room lawyer. Is that the sort of kid the Bonnies need at this delicate time? And can they afford to have players found plagiarizing, this soon after admitting a player with a welding certificate?
Bona must keep asking these questions. The same goes for all the schools around here. Keep a vigilant eye on things, because after the events of April, I'm left with one question:
What the heck could be next?
e-mail: jsullivan@buffnews.com
•<br> Len-Co Lumber & Building Supplies
•<br> Marrano Homes
•<br> Ryan Homes
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Copyright 1999 - 2005 - The Buffalo News
5/5/2005
By JERRY SULLIVAN
For years, I lamented Buffalo's status as an insignificant speck on the college sports landscape. But it was always a comfort to know that when you don't have a major program in town, you're spared all the scandal and misbehavior that goes along with it.
Oh, for that simpler time! The UB basketball program only recently recovered from NCAA probation. St. Bonaventure is still reeling from the Jamil Terrell recruiting scandal of two years ago. Last winter, the Canisius hockey team forced out a head coach, wrecked a hotel room and caused the downfall of an athletics director.
But in basketball alone, this has been an especially disturbing time. Here's a recap of the reputed misdeeds that have come to light in the past four weeks.
Paul Williams, a forward who transferred to Bona from Siena, got an "F" in a sociology course after admitting to plagiarism. Some faculty are grumbling over suggestions that Williams be allowed to drop the course and remove the failing grade, preserving his eligibility.
Wally Hall, a UB freshman guard, was suspended indefinitely after being charged with possession and sale of marijuana on campus. Hall's status is under review.
Tyler Relph, a guard who transferred to Bona from West Virginia last year, was suspended for violating the school's code of conduct. Relph, a former Rochester McQuaid star, was charged with driving while intoxicated in the early hours of April 17 in Allegany. It was Relph's second alcohol-related offense since his arrival at Bona.
Lorenzo Miles, a sophomore point guard for Niagara, was charged with assault last weekend after another student claimed Miles had punched him in the mouth. Miles was a starter for the Purple Eagles' MAAC champs last season and is expected to be a team leader next season.
Jim Crowley and Scott Young, the Bona women's head coach and assistant, were placed on leave last week after a female employee complained that they were causing her discomfort in the workplace.
I'm sure they all have perfectly good explanations. Maybe it's a fluke that all these stories surfaced at the same time. But it's a troubling coincidence for our modest corner of the collegiate athletic world.
Yes, today's college campuses are loose, volatile places. Kids will be kids. They'll drink and cheat and fight. But fair or not, scholarship athletes are held to a higher standard. They're public figures who have been given a free education and asked to represent their school with honor.
It's particularly alarming to see a spate of problems at St. Bonaventure, which is still trying to recover from its profound national humiliation of two years ago.
"I don't know if St. Bonaventure, or any college campus, is much different from the nation as a whole," said David P. Ferguson, vice president for marketing and public relations. "There are issues and problems that affect people in this population group. You just deal with it."
Sister Margaret Carney, who took over as Bona president in the wake of the hoop scandal, is trying to deal with it. In February, she launched an initiative to promote responsible student behavior, with a focus on alcohol. It's commendable. But the Williams and Relph situations make you wonder if the school is doing enough to monitor its basketball program.
Williams and Relph transferred after failing to fit in elsewhere. Relph couldn't abide John Beilein's structured offense. He had a reputation as a locker room lawyer. Is that the sort of kid the Bonnies need at this delicate time? And can they afford to have players found plagiarizing, this soon after admitting a player with a welding certificate?
Bona must keep asking these questions. The same goes for all the schools around here. Keep a vigilant eye on things, because after the events of April, I'm left with one question:
What the heck could be next?
e-mail: jsullivan@buffnews.com
•<br> Len-Co Lumber & Building Supplies
•<br> Marrano Homes
•<br> Ryan Homes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ | Help | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Subscribe to the News
Copyright 1999 - 2005 - The Buffalo News
