by Emily Wolfram
Bronco Sports First
There was a moment at yesterdays football press conference where I was certain Coach Bill Cubit was speaking directly to me.
He glanced my way right as he began to address the Michigan football allegations. His first thought was to correct the mentality that “everybody does this.” It’s just not true, said Cubit.
It was as if he had known that I had spoken those very words 20 minutes earlier. Or the fact that I’ve been saying that since the article started this downward spiral. Thus, his comments got me to thinking.
And now I am deeply split on the issue.
My first thoughts, Rich Rodriquez is never going to survive Ann Arbor. It is not the first time it has been mentioned but now it’s more apparent than ever. No one can help but wonder if this story would have spread at its current speed if the same allegations had been made during the Carr or Bo era. Doubtful.
Second, from a journalist perspective I fully understand why Detroit Free Press writers Michael Rosenberg and Mark Snyder ran the story. But oh the issues they must be dealing with now. I can’t imagine the amount of negativity or possible threats the Free Press has received this week.
With that being said, from an athlete’s perspective, why would these players spill these details, especially so close to the start of the season? One would assume that the allegations must be true with six players confirming similar recollections. But if you’re not going to give your name (although understandably so) why say anything at all?
Obviously these players feel overworked enough to speak up. But speak up to create change? Address the issue? Or because they’re peeved?
I’m just saying when a person is outraged enough to point the finger it’s fair to identify yourself, especially those past players. I view it as a sort of a right to face your accuser.
Is it really the fear of what repercussions could mount or is it the way these players might have been received in the community or more importantly by their teammates?
“It’s one of those things where you can’t say something,” one current player said. “If you say something, they’re going to say you’re a lazy person and don’t want to work hard.”
There is a level of understanding when it comes to the insane amounts of time and work needed to put in to a collegiate athlete’s career, particularly in football and above all top ranked BCS programs. I’m not saying it’s always fair or that these efforts should not receive the praise they deserve but is it on some level just part of the territory?
These guys must have been seriously overworked to risk it all and speak out. Cubit stated it best yesterday when he said either they (U of M) come out and win and then the article has brought the team together or they lose and it was nothing but a distraction.
But what happens if these allegations are false? Or true for that matter?
For me, a large part of the controversy is the timing. Why before the season? Those present players, they’ve signed on. They’re going to be there regardless so why not wait until then end of the season. What good can come now? Most likely these are issues carrying over from the previous season and these players will not stand for the same this season. They obviously spoke up to get this problem fixed so I hope for the sake of understanding that something positive comes out of this investigation.
And since this is topic I could ramble on for days I will try to wrap up and leave you with this thought where is West Virginia in all of this? Rich Rod spent seven years in Morgantown. He built a winning program and most likely his tactics and coaching style has changed little since coming to Michigan. So, again, I ask why has no one else come forth with similar claims from his other programs? Maybe Rich just won’t be accepted as a Michigan man. There is so much more to be revealed. Obviously at a later time.
West Virginia players??
No comments:
Post a Comment