Ruffin out?

[Guinness]

People make mistakes, if he is indeed at fault he will receive the appropriate punishment but to permanently wash your hands of him....is a little much. You have to keep in mind, the players on the team have been with Ruffin for 3...4...some even 5 years. Even if he is at fault, let him take responsibility and move on. He will probably be off the team officially but to not let him witness senior night?

I'm sure Ruffin and all the other players are like a son to Les, and I dont expect him to cut ties. Nor anyone else on the team.

[Da Coach]

Guinness, you hit it on the head.
Maybe some fans will never be able to forgive a player for something like this, but many fans and certainly the coaches accept these kids like they are their own kids.

If something like this happened to your own kid you would never think of turning your back on them. The case must be allowed to play out, and I trust things will be handled properly. But we will still be supportive of Daniel.

[abesimpson]

Couple other thoughts...

I'm pretty sure Ruffin got a degree in Sociology and wanted to get into social work (thought I read that somewhere), have to wonder if everything turns out to be true and his fault, will he ever be able to get into that line of work with a domestic battery on his record? Is that a felony or misdemenor? Does anyone think this would impact him playing pro in Europe? If it's a felony, he is going to be SOL trying to get a post-basketball job.

[SpfldBUAlum]

IF the allegations prove to be enough to remove him from the team there is no way he should be allowed at Senior night. It just allows for people like Wessler to criticize the university for being easy on him. I know I thought it was inappropriate for Illinois to allow Jamar Smith to be on the bench after seriously injuring one of his teamates.

[Braves4Life]

People make mistakes, if he is indeed at fault he will receive the appropriate punishment but to permanently wash your hands of him....is a little much......
I'm sure Ruffin and all the other players are like a son to Les, and I dont expect him to cut ties. Nor anyone else on the team.

I totally agree Guinness. If he is guilty I do not condone it and agree he should be suspended and removed from the team IF found guilty. Ruffin has, however, been a credit and role model while at Bradley and, if he handles the situation properly and takes responsibility and apologizes IF guilty, then he should be forgiven by Bradley Nation (just not allowed to play again.

IF he is guilty he needs to own up, apologize, and do some VERY VISIBLE community service with regards to domestic violence. It is not to late to preserve and protect the Daniel Ruffin legacy at BU. What he does and says in the next few days will determine his BU future.

[Da Coach]

Couple other thoughts...

Let's not speculate about his personal life.

People can still work, even if they have a record, and they can still play pro ball.

I believe there are more than one level of battery charge, so it could be a misdemeanor or felony depending on other factors that are not known yet. In fact very little about this case is known yet, so why are we speculating about issues like this when we don't even know if it applies here?

But this is the kind of speculating that we will ask that posters not discuss in these forums. Daniel has not been proven guilty of anything yet, and we have discussions going about whether his criminal record will affect his job or playing career.

This kind of speculation will not be allowed here. If anyone finds they have had a post removed, that is likely the reason. We will not be notifying posters or debating the decision of the moderators on this.

[Bravesfan]

Here's the brief story posted at 1470wmbd.com:

A star Bradley basketball player has been arrested for domestic battery. Peoria Police took 23 year old Daniel Ruffin into custody about 5:30 this morning at his apartment at 908 North Frink. A police report says Ruffin was arrested for use of hands and feet. Police say the 20 year old female victim was taken to OSF St. Francis Medical Center. A spokesman for the hospital says the victim is not a patient there now. Ruffin remains in the Peoria County jail. Bradley plays Wisconsin-Milwaukee tonight in a Bracketbusters game. Ruffin's status for the game in unknown at this time.

UGGGHHHH!!!! I can't believe what I'm reading here!

But, I kid you not. I actually woke up at 5:30 this morning with a migraine headache! I'm not making this up! In hindsight, that might have been the Bradley basketball Gods trying to tell me something!

Well, we are going to play without him next year anyway. Let's hope the experience this team gained when he was out with his injury and the strides we have made the last few weeks will at least get us through these next two home games so we can get into the postseason.

But I'm still flabbergasted that Ruffin could have potentially done something this stupid that may have irreversably damaged any future basketball career! Well, I guess we just have to wait for all of the facts to come out and hope this was just a tragic missunderstanding. But if not, Ruffin deserves whatever punishment he has coming to him.

[VromanFan]

Couple other thoughts...

I'm pretty sure Ruffin got a degree in Sociology and wanted to get into social work (thought I read that somewhere), have to wonder if everything turns out to be true and his fault, will he ever be able to get into that line of work with a domestic battery on his record? Is that a felony or misdemenor? Does anyone think this would impact him playing pro in Europe? If it's a felony, he is going to be SOL trying to get a post-basketball job.

Domestic Battery is generally a misdemeanor unless there's serious injury to a victim or other aggravating factors.

If a person is found guilty of domestic battery by law they cannot receive a sentence of court supervision...that is its a misdemeanor conviction that will forever be on their record.

Many times, depending on the location and other factors, first time offenders will have the offense amended to a charge of misdemeanor simple battery so they can receive a sentence of supervision.

I agree with earlier posts saying Bradley shouldn't wash their hands of Daniel. The problem is one of timing. There's only three games and the MVC left...I don't think there's time for this matter to be resolved before the season is over. I honestly have no idea at this point what they should do about Senior Night.

***I light of DC's earlier post just want to edit and emphasize that I'm discussing the charge of domestic battery in general and I'm not speculating at all about Ruffin's legal situation and what will become of it.

[jasonpeoria911]

Ruff would certainly be able to play overseas if convicted of DV. He just wouldn't be able to leave the US if he's convicted and on probation. There's many pro players that have records and get in trouble all the time while playing in the US and overseas. As for his Social work, there is many areas of Social work he could get a job in. From a school counselor to helping troubled youth to working with domestic violence shelters. Obviously I don't think he'll be working with any domestic violence stuff now, but he could certainly work in other sections of Social Work. However, with Ruffin being one of Bradley's all time best PG's, I don't think he would have a problem finding an overseas team that would pay him double the amount of Social Work starting salary. I'll reserve my judgement of what happened in this incident. If she was truly beat with his hands & feet (kicking probably) then he needs to do the time and won't be looked upon highly by me. However if it was just a simple push and she got a little red mark on her arm then she's probably just after his potential. We should be able to find out the seriousness as the days go on but for now, this team has to move on into post Ruffin era.

Jason

Couple other thoughts...

I'm pretty sure Ruffin got a degree in Sociology and wanted to get into social work (thought I read that somewhere), have to wonder if everything turns out to be true and his fault, will he ever be able to get into that line of work with a domestic battery on his record? Is that a felony or misdemenor? Does anyone think this would impact him playing pro in Europe? If it's a felony, he is going to be SOL trying to get a post-basketball job.

[jasonpeoria911]

That's true Rick but the Duke case took over a year to resolve and the students were suspended that whole time. In fact, I think the whole Lacross team was halted that season. Ruffin's case will not be resolved in the next month, it's ultimately up to Les and the BU Admin. to let Ruffin back.

Jason

Remember the 'Duke Case'? They were judged guilty by many before being proved innocent. We have to wait to get the facts, DR could be back.

[abesimpson]

Remember the 'Duke Case'? They were judged guilty by many before being proved innocent. We have to wait to get the facts, DR could be back.

I just saw on the news a bunch of the Duke players are suing Duke, their prez, the town, and the hospital.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/article/38-duke-lacrosse-team-members-unite-sue-duke-university-city-durham-corrupt_489652_1.html

Hopefully, this is the same case and some one just trying to use the law to their advantage to ruin Ruffin.

[Bravesfan]

Domestic Battery is generally a misdemeanor unless there's serious injury to a victim or other aggravating factors.

If a person is found guilty of domestic battery by law they cannot receive a sentence of court supervision...that is its a misdemeanor conviction that will forever be on their record.

Many times, depending on the location and other factors, first time offenders will have the offense amended to a charge of misdemeanor simple battery so they can receive a sentence of supervision.

I agree with earlier posts saying Bradley shouldn't wash their hands of Daniel. The problem is one of timing. There's only three games and the MVC left...I don't think there's time for this matter to be resolved before the season is over. I honestly have no idea at this point what they should do about Senior Night.

***I light of DC's earlier post just want to edit and emphasize that I'm discussing the charge of domestic battery in general and I'm not speculating at all about Ruffin's legal situation and what will become of it.

I think he should be honored at Senior Night....IF he either is guilty and apologizes in front of the crowd, or if he is innocent and he is insistant he did not actually "kick and punch" this woman.

But if he is guilty, yes his basketball career at Bradley is finished.

[Dallas Brave]

A very serious and unfortunate situation, not just for Daniel, but also for the person making the charges.

At this point, specualtion is pointless. Let's set the example of the behavior that we are so quick to give to others and not begin jumping to speculative conclusions. What we do know is that there is a game tonight and the program needs our support.

[abesimpson]

Let's not speculate about his personal life.

People can still work, even if they have a record, and they can still play pro ball.

I believe there are more than one level of battery charge, so it could be a misdemeanor or felony depending on other factors that are not known yet. In fact very little about this case is known yet, so why are we speculating about issues like this when we don't even know if it applies here?

But this is the kind of speculating that we will ask that posters not discuss in these forums. Daniel has not been proven guilty of anything yet, and we have discussions going about whether his criminal record will affect his job or playing career.

This kind of speculation will not be allowed here. If anyone finds they have had a post removed, that is likely the reason. We will not be notifying posters or debating the decision of the moderators on this.

Sorry Coach, I'm not trying to speculate or imply he's guilty or start any rumors, just thinking out-loud about what it all could mean and how serious it is. With such a brief news report and the fact that it's Ruffin, it's hard not to wonder.

I've heard about different things that drop players in draft positions and such in the US and wondered if that could happen in Europe cause I don't follow European ball. As for other jobs, I know of many places (including where I work) that won't even let people with felony records cut the grass. So that's why I posted the questions.

[IlliBraves]

I apologize for joining the discussion a little late. This is extremely disappointing. Not only the loss the team suffers by not having DR on the court, but the negativity that will now surround our program. I am also really surprised that DR would do such a thing. I don't want to make excuses for him, nor do I want to jump the the conclusion that he's guilty. But I will say that it doesn't make sense. Daniel has always been a pretty good guy, so it would seem. I do know he already has a kid of his own, a daughter I believe, and other than the academic problems he had coming in as a freshman, he has never run in to such a problem. On the court, I don't know how we can replace him.