GU, CCS dropped ball
Gonzaga University has finally made it into Major College Athletics! For a university that is wanting “diversity” and a basketball program that promotes a “family atmosphere” in recruiting, they have dropped the ball in handling this “family issue.”
Let me start off by saying I was disappointed and disturbed by the alleged actions of former GU player Tony Skinner and former CCS player DeJuan Ashley. As someone who knows these two young men, I would never have imagined they would do anything like this. That being said, they should know that as student-athletes they are role models and should be more conscious of their actions. If these allegations are true, then they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But where are the schools these student-athletes represented when they need them most?
When similar issues arises with student-athletes at other universities, there are issued statements and/or comments from either the athletic director or sports information director. There are recent examples of issues similar to this that have happened at WSU or EWU, where they were handled responsibly. There were no photos (including one with the alleged in a jail jumpsuit). There was an issued statement or comment from the A.D. or SID. I understand The Spokesman-Review has an obligation to report this story, but I have seen them in past handle similar situations more responsibly.
The Spokesman-Review runs this story about former athletes in this region, most notably the ex GU-player, right next to an article on the future of coach (Mark) Few. The paper had time to get comments from Mike Roth (Gonzaga’s A.D.) regarding the possibility of Coach Few leaving. Roth even had time to comment on Few’s vacation plans. Roth made no acknowledgement of the legal issues of his former student-athlete.
With all the highs of the national spotlight that Gonzaga gets from its men’s basketball program, they should be better prepared to handle negative attention. The “family atmosphere” that the men’s basketball program promotes hasn’t been seen. I can only hope for the sake of the these two young men, the schools they played for will show support for them in their time of need. That’s what families I know would do!
Jamar Williams
Spokane