Two More Ball State Players Gone

[tornado]

http://media.www.bsudailynews.com/media/storage/paper849/news/2007/09/14/Sports/Mens-Basketball.Two.Players.Leave.Team-2970130.shtml

http://media.www.bsudailynews.com/media/storage/paper849/news/2007/09/14/Sports/Basketball.Player.Calls.Police.To.Retrieve.Confiscated.Ids-2968947.shtml

Looks like a couple "Team Rule Violations", kinda like what we've been talking about here lately, but at least the press in Muncie seems to report this stuff instead of hiding it.

[SFP]

Are things just getting out of control all over or is the media just reporting more. Bradley/Peoria is a pretty conservative community and we have had our issues. I can just imagine the huge state schools what they are not reporting or figuring out.

These scholarships are like jobs and these young adults need to be aware of this. They are not looked upon as regular students. I'm sure Ray Brown was partying with his friends and it was no big deal at the time. What a hard lesson!

I can only say thank god Bradley did not drug test the student body or 50%+ of my friends would never have passed.

I believe we should send these kids to counciling/rehab not throw them out for drugs. Where I say we should toss them is when a gun or any type of violence is involved. Remeber a lot of these basketball HS kids come from a single parent background without the backing they need to learn to have sound judgements. I have volunteered and worked with young underprivilaged kids and what they are exposed to would blow your mind. Most of us have been lucky to have a strong family support system that has teached us right from wrong.

[real fan]

Ray Brown got a 2nd chance and screwed himself and his teamates over again so I have no sympathy for him.

[Bravesguy]

Wow, this is discipline like in the old day.
The kid knows the rules, and he willingly violates them, so he's dismissed.
Kind of refreshing in a way, and I wish we'd see a little more of it instead of suspending the kid for an exhibition game and giving him 3 and 4 different chances.

[SFP]

Ray Brown got a 2nd chance and screwed himself and his teamates over again so I have no sympathy for him.

It's not about having sympathy it's about understanding and creating an environment in our communities to reach out to these individuals before they make life altering decisions that will haunt them for the rest of their life. I've been lucky enough in my life to have had great role models. I'm sure most of us were brought up in suburban middle class communities where our parents stayed involved and are still involved. I'm just not one to judge others so quickly. RB is still a kid with the rest of his life in front of him and I wish him nothing but the best of luck. Basketball is just a game, how you live your life is not. RB learned a lesson that most of us would not have had to because of our role models. Thank your lucky stars that you had a nice upbringing.

Also take sometime to volunteer and help some disadvantage youths! The experience will suprise you on multiple levels.

[MacabreMob]

I like what you have said Pete.

I just want to mention "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink". Compare RB's background (for example) with TB's and ZA's. They all got the same opportunities at BU - some made good decisions.

IMO, even the "good" kids with the "good" upbringing and influences make bad decisions.