Re. the charges against Nikola Dragovic

Earlier today a fanpost went up on BN saying that the charges against Dragovic has been dropped. As of right now (as I am fanshotting), have not seen anything reported in the media that charges has been dropped. If they are dropped, it would be good news for Drago (and for the UCLA basketball program). Let's make something clear. We know many of us have gone on record saying regardless of how the allegations turn out, Howland should have kept him off the court so he could have addressed his legal issues first, before coming back on the hoops court. That doesn't mean we are rooting against him. We all are rooting for Drago's legal issues to resolve positively. It would make UCLA look good in the long run. What we are not going to appreciate though is people coming over here to attack this community while sharing that news (good or bad). The rules concerning BN are pretty clear. So when that news breaks, feel free to share it in fanpost, offer up links, without attacks on others. Thanks. GO BRUINS.

almost 2 years ago Nestor 8 comments 0 recs |

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Thank you

it was concerning when the poster said that it was too bad Dragovic was cleared because of how poorly he played on the court. Jail time is never an outcome people should root for, Bruin or not, and the consequences of poor play stay on the court, period.

by Sideout11 on Mar 15, 2010 3:45 PM PDT reply actions

As We Have, All Along, We Disagree

On the pure issue of “sanctioning” someone has who simply been arrested but not “bound over” or tried, I disagree with you, and many here. Innocent people are arrested all the time.

I trust that CBH did the right thing in conducting his own investigation and deciding that justice required that ND be allowed to play until proven guilty of an offense — or, to a lesser standard bound over to face trial on an offense.

If the charges against ND have, in fact, been dropped, this will not be the first time there has been an uproar surrounding ALLEGED charges against a Bruin — only to have no charges brought (MJD) or charges dropped.

I think we have to separate the decision to let him play from the decision to give him minutes. CBH was right on the first call and increasingly wrong on the second.

I do not know if ND’s terrible season was because he had his legal situation on his mind or if it was because he is just terrible. But, once it became clear that he was a liability, CBH should have limited his time.

I think some have to separate their dislike of ND from the principle of punishing one before there is any legitimate proof of grounds to punish.

ND will not be the last Bruin to be charged with a crime. It happens. And, I hope that we apply an even standard of deference to the coach who has to determine how to treat the situation — without regard for whether the player is good or bad or one we like or don’t.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 15, 2010 3:48 PM PDT reply actions

This is something we will never agree on

… I think when a student athlete is charged with a serious crime, his coach should do everything he can to make sure he addresses the legal issues first. When you are a student athlete at UCLA, it comes with added responsibility. I have hashed out my position in detail before so not going to write another long post on it.

by Nestor on Mar 15, 2010 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I feel the same way about my position

I’ve written the same things in the context of a few arrests over the years and I’m tired of it, too.

However, had ND been pulled out until some form of closure — he would have missed his entire senior year.

That may have been better for our win/loss record, but it would have been very unfair to him. That’s a pretty severe punishment for simply getting arrested in a situation where the prosecution decides not to proceed.

PS. Nestor, while I have your attention, is there anything else out there about CBH looking for other jobs? I’ve Googled and not found anything.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 15, 2010 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

yup

is there a ‘legal redshirt’ option? That would seem to split the difference in your positions – the school shouldn’t have to play someone not knowing about whether they will be convicted or not, and there is some argument that a player shouldn’t place themselves in a position in which they could get in trouble; but it seems draconian to destroy a player’s career based on a shaky allegation. It would have been better to be able to take him off the squad this year and let him come back next year, IMHO.

by britishbruin on Mar 15, 2010 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions