Rooting For Redemption

by Nestor on Jan 29, 2008 4:35 AM PST in Football Comment 15 comments

In case you have not seen it already we want to make sure all of you are aware of a series of articles the Seattle Times is running about the legal problems concerning the 2000 Rose Bowl team. bruinmike88 has already posted a diary on it. John Berkowitz from Washington Sports Blog, who I have a lot of respect for did a post about it this am. Here is John's synopsis of what has been covered in these stories so far (emphasis his):

The stories on the players so far are well written, and they have a familiar ring, and that is the Hedges, Neuheisel, the police, a private attorney who was a UW alum, and the King County Prosecutors office gave these guys the benefit of doubt so they could stay on the playing field longer than they should have.

The first story was about Jerramy Stevens and it absolutely turns the stomach of anyone who reads it. It also is something that was just as well documented eight years ago as it was in yesterdays article. On a side note I always felt Stevens should have been kicked off the team. I always felt Neuheisel made a critical mistake concerning Stevens.

Today's story is about Jeremiah Pharms, and while still interesting it is a rehash of the same information that came out eight years ago. There will be two more stories in the series, and one will feature deceased Husky football star Curtis Williams who had some problems off field before straightening himself out enough to become a star in the UW secondary. Curtis's unfortunate injury and subsequent death has made him a martyr in the eyes of many. The Times will slay that myth later this week.

The timing of the stories just happen to coincide with the end of the 2008 recruiting season, and a bill that will be introduced in the legislature today to provide $150 million in funding to help remodel Husky Stadium. Since this all happened eight years ago the Times, or any other publication could have chosen to run the stories anytime they wanted, but why now?

John (again he is a die hard Washington Husky alum) is skeptical (to say the least) about the timing of this story. Again this is from a Washington Husky blogger (emphasis mine):

I for one question the motives of the Seattle Times concerning the release of these investigative reports. I know they have the right to do it, and the public has the right to know, but after eight years you would think most of this would have been put to bed. I feel the timing of the reports is calculated precisely to prevent state funding for one half of the Husky Stadium remodeling project.

Bob Condotta says to wait till the end of the series to pass judgement. Sorry Bob, the timing is way to suspicious for me to buy that argument.

You have to appreciate his candor and intellectual honesty. There was another interesting response to this story from Sinjin21 on Dohn's blog. Dohn linked up the Seattle Times story and Sinjin21 posted this take on that thread:

Rick Neuheisel made mistakes. He has paid the price for his actions. He took accountability for his actions and worked his way back. Yes, that does not erase his past, but this is his second chance.

RN will also live out his second chance under a very fine microscope. I don't think UCLA will tolerate any more embarrassing scenarios, and I am sure the NCAA will be nearby as well. We can probably agree that unlike the others who have transgressed and were eventually protected by the system, there are many who are just chomping at the bit for RN to fail. Rick Neuheisel has embraced all this. More realistically, he knows this is part of the cards he is dealt with now. Let's see how hard and committed he is to the continued journey to live out his dream and to repair his reputation. From what I have seen, I believe RN will succeed and will be a true champion in the end, and UCLA will compete on the national scene for many years to come.

With regard to the news articles from the Seattle Times, let's make one thing clear. UW had many problems in their program way before RN arrived. There are many involved who need to take responsibility in the case to Jerramy Stevens and all the other students and/or athlete who went off the straight and narrow path. I lived in Seattle for a period of time and I personally root for UW as my second favorite team in the Pac-10. I love the Dawgs. That said, it is time for some within the UW and Seattle community to let go and grow up themselves. It is time to LET GO! It is time to LET GO! It is time to LET GO!

Those in Seattle who are disenchanted most likely fall into either of two camps. One camp being those who know RN is going to win and is fit with jealousy. They know that RN at UCLA is not good news for them. And the other camp consists of those who are standing on entitlement. UW was a dominant and great program in the days of Don James irregardless to what might have happen behind the scenes. (Every program can be found with some faults). Yes, RN was in Seattle for four years, but it is very difficult for one man to break down the good ole boy network and to clean up the underbelly. One man cannot tear down an entire program that quickly. Don't give RN that much credit. UW and Seattle had a broken infrastructure. One coach can take the blame, but should one man take the responsibility for what the entire community neglected to deal with. Just as RN "served" his time to work his way back, it is time for the people of Seattle and UW to do the same for themselves. Most everyone is Seattle looked the other way when things were happening, and they all have to pay the price now.

Be done with all the ENTITLEMENTS, the jealousy, the inability to take responsibility for yourselves. GROW UP!!! Bring up all this stuff about RN now is like two siblings bickering and fighting as adults but retaining all the sillyness and crap that comes with being children. "RN is a bad guy because he stole my hot wheels when I was seven years old." "Why does RN always have to get a second chance, what about me?" "Why does RN get a great new job? He always gets everything. That is not FAIR!" "If UW can't be great again, then RN can't be allow to be great too"

UCLA had to pick itself up from the Handicap scandal. And it is time for those in Seattle to take responsibility for themselves. Is Mike Hunsinger still representing all UW athletes who transgress? Did the police department sift through and clean out all the fat? How has the UW AD faired? My question for UW and the Seattlites is this. "Yes, RN did wrong or showed immature leadership at the coach. And he paid a price personally. He worked hard to get back and is now offered a second chance. When are you (people of Seattle and UW) going to step forward and take responsibility for you own actions? When are you going to step up and be counted? What are you doing to do your part and make a difference in bringing UW back to the National Scene?

Well as for us we are not going to dismiss the relevance of story off hand. This stuff matters.

It is extremely important to us that CRN plays by the rules and gives us a program that we can all be proud of its accomplishments on and off he field.

We believe CRN knows that he is getting once in a life time opportunity of second chance at his alma maters. He knows what kind of players we expect to be recruited at UCLA. He knows if something unseemly happens under his watch here at UCLA, we are not going to look away like some other fans in college football.

We believe he is too smart to blow this and he knows he is in charge of a program where the community rooting for it will demand accountability if there is a concerted pattern of impropriety.

However, that said reading that story one cannot help but wonder why did the Seattle Times wait this long to uncork this story. And it looks like that skepticism is more than warranted since it is also evident in some of the most die hard Husky fans.

We should also note that story also quoted DG out of context making it appear that DG didn't care about CRN's past transgressions when he brought him home to Westwood. One more time here is what DG said when he introduced CRN as the 16th head coach of UCLA's football program:

Said Guerrero: "I looked Rick in the eye, he looked me in the eye, and we conveyed very clearly what our thoughts were. This happened five to 10 years ago and he said he is much wiser and more mature."

Guerrero also said that conversations with officials from the NCAA, the Pacific 10 Conference, Washington and Colorado gave him "comfort" to move forward.

"I hope that he has learned from the difficulties he has encountered previously," Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said. "I'm convinced he has and I'm convinced he has convinced Dan Guerrero and Chancellor Block of that.

"He comes in like any other coach coming into the conference. He certainly paid a price for his past violations. I would like to think he would recognize UCLA has given him a great opportunity, a chance to get back into college football, and that he would treat it like the very, very precious opportunity that it is."

DG knows and we know that CRN is aware that his legacy at UCLA is in his own hands. All we are doing now is rooting like hell to make sure he comes through and makes us proud by putting together a program in the mold of Coach Howland and John Savage on and off the field.

Is there anything wrong with rooting for a little redemption? Like I said it is up to CRN. We believe he is going to bring our program back the right way and make us proud of his efforts just like we are basking in the efforts of Coach Howland, Savage and other outstanding coaches in our regal athletic program.

Nothing wrong with rooting for redemption.

GO BRUINS.

ps: The Eds. from the Seattle Times should send some tips to those from the LA Times. May be they can let us know if there are colleagues down south will run similar "investigative" series on - oh I don't know - relevant and more fresh stories coming out you know where. GO BRUINS.

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Rick Neuheisel

Why now? Several reasons.

To hold Neuheisel accountable. Neuheisel has NEVER been held accountable for his actions. Yes, he was fired, but he made millions from the deal. And because the technical reason for his firing had little to do with all of the things he really did wrong, he was able to take $4.5 million in a lawsuit from Washington taxpayers. And now he's poised to do it again at UCLA. When it comes to a serialist like Neuheisel (he was equally sleazy at Colorado) I don't believe in redemption. Just wait. You'll see.
To vindicate the victims. Stevens' rape victim especially was always treated like a whore in the media. Sports journalists especially tried to show Stevens as a victim of malicious prosecution. Instead we now know that he anally and vaginally raped a young virgin, in a fraternity yard, after she had in all probablility been slipped the date rape drug and was completely incapacitated.
To show the culpability of the university and the prosecutors. Their treatment of both perpetrators and victims was inexcusable. We in Seattle need to be absolutely certain that this never happens again. Much of this information was not available eight years ago. It is now, and we need to know it.
Because there are now calls for the heads of the people who replaced Neuheisel and Hedges for not creating an 11-1 Rose Bowl team. People need to be reminded what the costs of a "win at all costs" mentality, and of how difficult it is to recover from the actions of someone like Neuheisel.
Because this continues to affect people. The only UW football player I know personally from this era -- not one of the criminals, that I know of -- cannot hold a job or take responsibility for his actions because he was never held accountable for any of his behavior. It's too late for him. I don't believe he will ever grow up enough to lead an adult life. It's not too late for next year's recruits -- ours, or yours.

Good luck. You'll need it.

by UW Alum on Jan 28, 2008 9:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Who deserves the blame

for your unnamed UW football player who cannot hold a job or take responsibility for his own actions? He came to UW as a young adult. He's now a grown-up, but apparently hasn't grown up. I would place the blame on the individual himself. Coach RN ranks way down the list.

I don't think we'll need your luck or sour grapes. RN and his Bruins will do just fine.

P.S.--I know three wealthy and influential UW alumni who have trouble coping with stress on the job...

by TfXc79 on Jan 28, 2008 10:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why Here?

I don't condone in any form or fashion what happened to that young girl and Jeremy Stevens is a piece of s**t and he'll get his day of reckoning. I hope the young lady will find peace and be able to lead a long and fulfilling life.

I get that the info has just become public record. But where is all this hatred for CRN coming from? The entire UW community is using selective memory if they think that CRN created this culture of thuggery and harboring criminals at the expense of W's. This culture was there before CRN ever arrived. If the UW community cannot acknowledge this, then there is no point in reasoning with you guys. Does this mean that CRN has no accountability in all this, hell no. But to say that he is the source of all evil that happened at U-Dub is beyond ludicrous.

I would focus my energy on the Athletic Dept, Admin and the local authorities because it is CLEAR to me that all parties involved sold their souls. You have a BIGGER PROBLEM. The entire community there allowed this stuff to happen. No one can point to one person as being wholly responsible nor can they pinpoint what exactly was wrong. Hell, all U-Dub alums/fans are as much responsible for what happened as anybody. Y'all allowed this to happen under your watch, turned a blind eye toward it and then did not DEMAND accountability....until now?

You should add the following:
6) Every single U-Dub Alum, Booster, Fan, friend to the program, etc. failed that young girl and every single other victim that was victimized by the U-Dub football team because "We failed to demand accountability from our university and authorities".

Lastly, we don't need any "luck". That is not how we handle business at UCLA. If CRN goes off the straight & narrow, I and I'm sure BN as well, will be making a whole lot of noise and will demand his immediate termination/resignation. Don't worry about us. Instead, handle your own business.

by BlueReign on Jan 28, 2008 10:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry - I have to question the sudden morality

If you are so concerned with institutional thuggery and absence of control, why are you not outraged at what has been going on at justsc for decades? Maybe your focus should not be on Coach Neuheisel and what he is going to accomplish at UCLA and instead be on the conditions which breed the disease which infected UW and which has made justsc a putrid slime pit for all the time that I have been alive.

Or maybe it's the jealousy bit. You are more concerned with the potential of success (within the rules) for UCLA than with any cleaning up of any towns. Frankly, that sounds more accurate to me. If that's not the case, when why the outrage now? Why haven't you been following Coach Neuheisel for all these years demanding one thing or another. Why haven't we seen you in a picket line outside Husky Stadium, or along Figueroa? Or along any of a dozen other venues? The timing is awfully suspect.

We all get it. Coach Neuheisel made mistakes. You think he'll make the same ones here? Think again.

by Fox 71 on Jan 29, 2008 4:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not in Westwood

Having just read the article, and "Part 1" which contains the sick story of Mr. Stevens, and while I question the timing of the article too, it must be distinctly understood that this cr*p - and anything remotely close to it -had better not go on under CRN's watch at UCLA. What a putrid tale of everything wrong with society. Not just sports. The "oh give 'em another chance" he just goofed up once, mantra explains OJ, but it also explains a multitude of the dwellers in custody everywhere, it accounts for the breadth of the scandal in the Catholic Church, bad cops, bad doctors, you name it. I cannot even begin to understand what the victim or her family must have gone through at the hand of that creepy jerk, and the multitudes of barking purple wearers who would have reflexively believed anything the guy woulda said, and discounted what happened to her. Not at my alma mater.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Jan 30, 2008 5:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Neuheisel

I won't be back after this -- this is your issue to deal with now. Just a few points.

It is absolutely the fault of my acquaintance that he can't be a grownup. He's a dick. I'd love to slap sense into him. But there is no question in my mind that he'd be a far different person if he'd been in a program that required accountability rather than one that allowed athletes to literally get away with any crime short of murder as long as they could win games.
Why now? Because a) we're still involved in trying to fix the damaage done by Neuheisel, and b) we never thought anybody else would be stupid enough to hire the man. Or maybe it's not stupidity. Maybe it's just greed for short-term results? I have no way of knowing.
When you're trying to rebuild your program after Neuheisel has done damage that will take fifty years to fix, you will remember these words: Rick Neuheisel is a sociopath. A non-violent, smart, charming, sociopath, to be sure. One who will tell you everything you want to hear. But for him, right and wrong exist only as far as the likelihood that he will get caught.

Sociopaths don't suddenly change. It is a part of who they are. They're not suddenly fixed, despite what they may claim. Sure, they're full of regret when they get caught, but that doesn't keep them from doing it again when the opportunity presents itself.

As I said before, good luck. Your school and students deserve better.

by UW Alum on Jan 29, 2008 7:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

"Fifty years to fix"

LOL.

Either you are saying your program is pathetic (if it CAN'T be turned around for fifty years), or you are saying that your administrators don't have the guts to hire a real coach (if it WON'T be turned around for fifty years).

Which is it? And, what does that say about Husky football?

by bornagainbruin on Jan 29, 2008 8:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it was ALL Rick's fault...

The atmosphere within UW's athletic department was already corrosive by the time RN arrived from CU. Whether that condition should be laid at Hedges' feet, or whether the entire program should be indicted is moot.

Like it or not, UW has always been more than ready to take on many athletes who were socially or educationally marginal. Hugh McElhenny would probably have starred at UCLA or USC if he had been a better student (Washington High grad).

Today's installment in the Seattle Times centers on Curtis Williams, a young man who was severely injured in a game at Stanford in 2000. Subsequent to the accident, and paralyzed for life, Curtis was lionized in the local press - as he had been earlier - as the 'best hitter' on the UW squad. Now, as a result of the investigative series, we find that Curtis was also the 'best hitter' at home. The university, and especially the athletic department, made a distinct effort to support Williams during his brief life which ended just after he turned 24. Now, it comes out that Jim Lambright, who had succeeded Don James, had attempted to end CW's financial support the year before William's injury (for CW's ongoing domestic violence issues) but was overturned by the university's financial aid committee. This was during Rick Neuheisel's stint at CU! So, laying the responsibility for UW's longterm administrative dysfunction at RN's feet is both disingenuous, it is blatantly incorrect.

Rick's problems at UW have been examined at close scrutiny. He answered for those problems. But there will be those, such as UW Alum, who remain embittered by both Rick's arrival at UW, and his departure from same. Given the overall state of UW's athletic program, this attitude is understandable. Closure for die-hard UW fans is still beyond the horizon. I'm glad I'm a Bruin.

UCLA - the finest public university in the world

by SecondGenBruin on Jan 29, 2008 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Get over yourself kid

My, how bitter you are. Your arguments are so pathologically flawed that I truly wonder about your state of mind.

First of all, you chastise UCLA for hiring RN, for being motivated by "greed for short-term results". Well, UW hired RN out of Colorado. I guess the due diligence for them stopped at the win-loss record.

Second, you think football programs are responsible for teaching players accountability? Are you serious? By your logic, any college graduate (and not just an athlete) who is jobless can blame his/her alma mater or any professor for not teaching him accountability because he/she can get away with being a lazy bum. Completely ridiculous. What do they teach you at UW? How to open an umbrella?

Finally, Neuheisel is a sociopath? This one takes the cake, and you're the baker. Again, by your logic, probably half of the college football coaches in this country are sociopaths. Bobby Bowden is a sociopath of the highest order. Pete Carroll is a devious psychopath (ok bad example).

Obsess much?

by tasser10 on Jan 29, 2008 9:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Get lost

you sound like a girl that just got dumped. What good does it do to come over here and post how he is our "issue to deal with". NO SHIT SHERLOCK! You have enlightened me with this new found revelation. I'm "shocked" and "awed".

Your friend is a "dick" because he was always a "dick". Not because the football program didn't "teach" him how to be an adult. Ultmately, who shoulders the responsibility? He and himself only. It is "his choice" to become a productive human being or to be some lazy ass.

You got a lot of work to do. Start with your friend and then move onto your program. I don't need any advice from some punk that clearly is bitter and is harboring feelings from the past. Grow up and move on.

by BlueReign on Jan 29, 2008 8:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If you looked at BD's quote

this was taken from the first chapter, meaning that there is a book somewhere that had no legs. But now that UCLA is all the rage and RN is burning things up this socalled book might have some legs... i printed it and it was 18 pages long, to long for a news story on the local rage.

by ChaffeyBruin on Jan 29, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Recruiting

Is it just me or is the timing and intent of this story to just throw mud on the recruiting process. This effort seems to want to effect a recruits parents to not allow their child to go to UCLA and play for that "terrible" man.

UW's problems are/were systemic to be that widespread and deep. This didn't all start on RN's watch.

by artybruin on Jan 29, 2008 11:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs