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No June doldrums at WSU

Posted by Vince

June 4, 2009 6:28 a.m. • 7 comments

COUGARS

Isn’t this supposed to be the quiet time in college athletics? Ya, right. No matter that it’s June. There’s still a bunch of stuff going on. For links, read on.

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• Of course the splashiest news yesterday was Xavier Hicks troubles. We had this short story (third item) on his DWLS citation. Most everyone else ran the Associated Press story. … As predicted here yesterday, former WSU guard Nick Witherill is transferring to Grand Canyon College, along with a bunch of other Division I players. The Arizona Republic story has the information. It’s a good fit for Witherill. … The Pac-10 summer meetings are this weekend in San Francisco, and saving money is the No. 1 agenda item. The Times’ Bud Withers has this column examining the objectives. … Speaking of finances, Oregon State is still struggling.

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• That’s it for this morning. We’ll be back as events warrant. Until then …

Seven comments on this post so far. Add yours!

rufus on June 04 at 8:33 a.m.
i wonder if osu ever got the $$$ dennis erickson committed before he left osu– I do not think so. the new stadium cost the school lots - and is still had lots of debt.
garlandcoug on June 04 at 10:02 a.m.
Vince… Thanks for your hard work and great analysis. Today I would like to comment on the Jake Heaps announcement that he will go to the other Cougars at BYU. I sometimes listen to Seattle sport radio, and I especially enjoy it when the huskys are whining and gnashing their teeth after their perceived manifest destiny and reality collide. I suggest that other Cougars partake in the fun and tune into their favorite Seattle sports radio show. However, be warned; it is only enjoyable it small doses.
ECoug01 on June 04 at 11:02 a.m.
This is so dumb. I knew this guy was a bonehead last year with his issues. Its a good thing he is talented and we need a safety. It kept him on the team last year when other guys not starting were given the boot for lessor offenses. I agree with others Pullman you don’t really need to drive. Also if you know you are driving with suspended license wouldn’t you drive extra careful following all speed limits and laws to avoid giving them a reason to pull you over???????? IDIOT… He won’t even be slapped on the wrist by the unity or Wulff. He is a starter and Wulff knows the pressure is mounting for him to do something and his options are few.
coug79 on June 04 at 11:36 a.m.
On the first offense I thought HIcks must just be dumb. Second offense I thought perhaps he was a slow learner. Third offense I figured it must be arrogance. Now it appears that it’s a combo…he’s all three at the same time and can play football, too! What a package deal. I tend to agree with ECoug01…I’ll be surprised if there is much in the way of a penalty for bad behavior. At least he hasn’t beaned anyone with a frying pan. Yet.
CougBob on June 04 at 3:40 p.m.
Is it just me or is the “Unity Counsel” like having the inmates run the asylum? Wulff is going to have to start biting the bullet and making examples of players like Hicks for the long run success of the program. The coaches should discipline the players, not the other players!
SaveFerris on June 04 at 5:43 p.m.
CougBob, I think you are correct to an extent. The “Unity Counsel” has been pretty busy the last couple years. If there was something really big I am sure Wulff would step in and make the decision. Still, I like that Wulff has the players involved because it is their program when it comes down to it so they should have a say in the program.

I could go either way with Hicks. At first I thought he should be gone but after thinking about it I’m not so sure. He has certainly done enough to warrant a see ya’ later.
gocougs01 on June 04 at 10:28 p.m.
None of us are “Holier the Thou”, but come on Hicks get it together. Maybe somewhere else is the answer? Yes, he can play the game and will certainly provide some needed D this fall. But is he the kind of person our program needs to build itself around? Wulff is saying how he wants to build a program based on quality kids who can play the game. I am sure that is the conversation he has at the kitchen table of the recruits he is trying to get. If Hicks stays, how will PW convince mom & dad that he is a man of his word? They may buy the story about helping the kid turn his life around etc. but the other schools will cut that line to pieces. Hicks can make a big contribution next fall if he stays but the real question is how much negative impact will he have on building the program in the future?