Question: Could this Sione thing really hurt Mac?

Question: Could this Sione thing really hurt Mac?

Posted By: UtePimp
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 10:44 am

I think that the opinion of this board is that Mac lives up to expectations or he is out, however, does this Havili thing make things even worse for Mac?

First, Mac has been great to Sione, and I think that Sione really likes him, however, the fact that Hill did not know about Sione until recently made this the problem that it has become. Had Hill known earlier, Sione would have never been given false hope.

Now that Mac's lack of communication with the AD has caused a PR problem, I am sure that Hill and Mac are having a strained relationship. Especially since Sione's articles have stated that Mac is against Hill's decision.

Couple this with high expectations, we could very well be at the end of the Mcbride era.

RIP Kenny

I am not so sure..

Posted By: BaldingUte
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 11:03 am

I don't think that this will necessarily be the undoing of McBride. I think one of two things happened while Sione was being asked/recruited to walk-on at the U: 1- McBride knew what he did was bad and that Hill would never let him play at the U so he said nothing about it or 2- McBride did not think what Sione did was bad or rather he felt that Sione had "paid his debt to society" so it was not a concern for him and thus he did not feel that he had to divulge that info. Either way McBride is responsible for at least getting him to the U. He should have backed Hill but I can see where he is coming from. I suppose if McBride has a bad year the Sione recruitment could be used a final nail in the coffin, although that seems a bit petty.

I really am wondering if it is time for McBride and the team to move on and accept that Sione will not be a Ute. The whole situation seems to be heading toward a point that could get bad for the team as far as being distracted to the season is concerned. I just hope that whatever happens (I really think the initial decision will stand) that the players move on and concentrate on the season, as Portland said, there is a season to be played.

What I would like to know is how Majerus and Daniels took the news when Hill told them to stop recruiting Richie Parker. I was in HS at the time and I can't remember their reaction.

Go Utes!!!

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees" Emiliano Zapata

It is really not that big of a deal...

Posted By: New York
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 12:01 pm

Mac showed respect for him and I believe it when he says that he really feels for him.

Mac recruited a great player and that was his job. Chris put the stops on Sione comming and that was his job. He is trying to raise the bar regarding the criteria for qualifications.

The problem is that Sione definitely participated in a really ugly crime. That is a fact. It also seems to be true that Havili has really changed. That is the only problem.

I think that Hill made this judgement as being not exclusively aimed at Havili but to prevent people who have also commited a really bad crime but have not learned and grown, like Sione, to be weeded out.

The big problem was that Sione was the first person that had done something that demanded that a line be drawn. It had to be done and it is too bad that it was done at a time that a person, who has learned his lesson, was caught in the cross hairs.

This could be an excellent team (I personally think it is going to be so) but there are many new people filling key spots. It makes you wonder how we were getting ranked. Yet, the expectations, from us, are over the top. If this team is not competitive or lacks heart then I think Mac should step down. However if we are 7-4 and we are really tough in every game (I mean balls to the wall tough and still lose) then Mac should be cut some slack.

Remember, I have never been a real Mac fan.

Go Utes!!!!!

Players make plea for Sione

Posted By: BaldingUte
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 09:49 am

This was in the Trib this morning and I don't see it posted on the board yet. If Hill can still say no after this then he is much stronger than anyone I know.

http://www.sltrib.com/07312002/sports/758015.htm

Why Hill won't (and shouldn't) change his mind

Posted By: LA Ute
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 10:04 am

Havili has turned his life around and deserves credit for that. But that doesn't mean he should simply be able to pick up where he left off before he made a stupid and inexcusable decision. ("Inexcusable" is different from "unforgivable," in my book.) IMHO, life doesn't work that way. He made a choice, he lives with the consequences. One of the consequences is he cannot play at the U. He still has lots of options and can still play D1 football. Just not at BYU, where he first opted to play, or at Utah.

If Chris Hill gives in to this, he will show that the animals are running the zoo. He will lose authority and never recover from the bad precedent he would be setting.

LA Ute

"It isn't what folks don't know that gets them in trouble, it's what they know that just isn't so."

--Mark Twain

I respectfully disagree

Posted By: UTEopia
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 11:13 am

I believe that every person should have the opportunity to do whatever they want after they have fulfilled the legal responsibilities for their conduct after they have shown for a reasonable amount of time that they have reformed. I believe that Havili meets this standard. However, i think it would be reasonable to require that he stay out of trouble for a year before being allowed to play. That would make him eligible to play in December of 2002.

I don't believe Hill will change his mind for the reasons you suggest. However, I believe he is making the wrong decision. Anytime you have the ability to help someone move forward in a positive way you should take that opportunity.

Man, I am glad to see that the team is unified. BUT...

Posted By: Portland Ute
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 09:53 am

is this issue becoming a distraction? How will the team handle Chris Hill's and Machen's denial of their pleas?

I said this previously when the threat of a lawsuit was reported. I said it when Mac came out in support of Sione in direct opposition to Chris Hill. This worries me that it may become a distraction to this team...

I disagree with Hill's initial decision, but

Posted By: Proud2BAmerican
Date: Wednesday 31 July 2002, at 11:16 am

I don't think he can change his mind now. What may be a possibility - would be for him to say that he could reapply next year and that he will be considered if he academically qualifies. Has Hill ever said that there is no way that he will ever play or has he just said he could not play this year?

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