DMN: TCU: "By Giving QB a pass coach ignores own message"

[PK]

This is great, now the newpapers in Dallas and Ft. Worth are getting into the skillet fight!

So which one is on our side?

[Mexmustang]

Great question!

[Mustangsabu]

This is, of course, just my opinion, but I fail to see how it is sufficient for Patterson to simply follow school policy. Not unlike Paterno, who followed school policy in reporting Sandusky's alleged activity up the chain of command, the actions taken here by Patterson are obviously insufficient. Pachall is a scholarship student. Different standards are applied to scholarship students, and should be, they are getting a free ride. In his case, it is a very public free ride, and he represents to university (if we have to call it that) and the football program. There needed to be consequences to his actions, and beyond going to substance abuse counselling (which is not a punitive measure - and from what we read should have been worked into team meetings as a general rule), there has been no punishment for use of illegal substances.

And, as has already been pointed out, it would not be difficult to bench him for half a game (while insufficient INHO it would at least be token) and it would not affect the football teams chances of success. They will do bad, bad things to Grambling State anyhow.

Just my two cents.

[Rebel10]

It's not a free ride. Those kids earn those scholarships.

[Junior]

comparing this to the penn state deal is ridiculous.

[BleedingRed+Blue]

That's true, but pointing out selective enforcement is not ridiculous at all, especially by a coach who decreed that drug use would "not be tolerated by me or anyone on my staff" ... unless it's for a key starter, of course.

[Junior]

That's true, but pointing out selective enforcement is not ridiculous at all, especially by a coach who decreed that drug use would "not be tolerated by me or anyone on my staff" ... unless it's for a key starter, of course.

it is my understanding that the drug test in question was prior to that assertion. i'm sure the results of that test drove him to say that. and he meant that going forward it wouldn't be tolerated. i don't think it's reasonable to go back and punish everyone that failed that initial test at a level harsher than what the policy that was in place and had been communicated previously.

[Mustangsabu]

It's not a free ride. Those kids earn those scholarships.

And academic scholarships aren't earned?

[Mustangsabu]

comparing this to the penn state deal is ridiculous.

I'm not comparing the offenses, I am simply pointing out that there is more to this than "following university procedure". Perhaps it was needlessly inflammatory but that was not my intent.

[Rebel10]

It's not a free ride. Those kids earn those scholarships.

And academic scholarships aren't earned?

It is a requirement for an academic scholarship to keep ones grades up not keep ones grades up and do 30 hours a week in preparation for games while keeping up the grades. You can get an academic scholarship and just go to class with having the job of playing football as well. Yes, it is a business and it is a job. My only point is it is not some easy free ride as some think. Mostly those who did not play the game in college. (Not trying to down an academic scholarship)

[Stallion]

Mustangabu: Yes student athletes are treated differently than regular students but only because they sign an agreement that is filed with the NCAA to waive their right not to be subject to random drug tests in exchange for the University's agreement to follow school, NCAA and Government rules on drug tests and privacy. I don't think they are legally authorized to unilaterally decide to ignore those obligations

[Mustangsabu]

I'm not talking about ignoring NCAA rules, I'm saying that the coach was free to punish him, and I think he should have done. You can be suspended for lots of things, NCAA and university code violations included, but outside of those also.

[ThisIsOurTime]

comparing this to the penn state deal is ridiculous.

I'm not comparing the offenses, I am simply pointing out that there is more to this than "following university procedure". Perhaps it was needlessly inflammatory but that was not my intent.

Even if you put the offenses aside, the situations aren't the same. There is evidence that suggests after Paterno told the higherups about the incident and they were going to take action, he stepped in and advised them not to do so. Think about all the issues with that action. So it is not just a case of him simply doing what he was required to do, he apparently actively blocked further action by PSU brass. Plus, there are even now reports that things may even be much worse that people had originally thought with evidence suggesting Sandusky was a pedophile pimp. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2186805/Jerry-Sandusky-shared-boys-molested-high-profile-pedophiles-linked-Penn-State-sex-ring.html#ixzz23Cj43cm2.

Also, although it has largely not been reported by the media, Pachall has also received some other penalties aside from the reported drug counseling course including:

1. being removed from the team leadership counsel which he was elected to.
2. removed as the face of the TCU football program for school promotions.
3. removed from a Heisman promotion campaign for him.

These may not seem like big things on their face to you but considering he could potentially be a high NFL draft pick, these events could hurt his exposure and ability to earn more money as his draft stock takes a hit along with his marketability as a brand image. Now those things are all on him, but let's not pretend there were no consequences to his actions. Also, those three things aren't things that a regular player would have happen to them had their failed their first drug test at most colleges.

[gostangs]

paschal aint going to work for long in the nfl - too many character issues. Heisman? that is a joke.

[Oldmins]

comparing this to the penn state deal is ridiculous.

I'm not comparing the offenses, I am simply pointing out that there is more to this than "following university procedure". Perhaps it was needlessly inflammatory but that was not my intent.

Even if you put the offenses aside, the situations aren't the same. There is evidence that suggests after Paterno told the higherups about the incident and they were going to take action, he stepped in and advised them not to do so. Think about all the issues with that action. So it is not just a case of him simply doing what he was required to do, he apparently actively blocked further action by PSU brass. Plus, there are even now reports that things may even be much worse that people had originally thought with evidence suggesting Sandusky was a pedophile pimp. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2186805/Jerry-Sandusky-shared-boys-molested-high-profile-pedophiles-linked-Penn-State-sex-ring.html#ixzz23Cj43cm2.

Also, although it has largely not been reported by the media, Pachall has also received some other penalties aside from the reported drug counseling course including:

1. being removed from the team leadership counsel which he was elected to.
2. removed as the face of the TCU football program for school promotions.
3. removed from a Heisman promotion campaign for him.

These may not seem like big things on their face to you but considering he could potentially be a high NFL draft pick, these events could hurt his exposure and ability to earn more money as his draft stock takes a hit along with his marketability as a brand image. Now those things are all on him, but let's not pretend there were no consequences to his actions. Also, those three things aren't things that a regular player would have happen to them had their failed their first drug test at most colleges.

I can argue on either side of this story, but one claim on this post is absurd. The idea that Patterson could "step in and advise the higher ups at TCU' what to do and change their mind shows that the writer doesn't know the "higher ups" at TCU. Believe me, the "higher ups" at TCU can go to great lengths to raise a lot of money to build a stadium, but letting the football coach dictate school policy? No, not quite. (And from what has been reported, the "higher ups" at TCU DID take action in that Pachall was hit with the same punishment any other TCU student caught in the same bind faces. )