It is the middle of February. The Vols' basketball team is entering the homestretch to prove they belong among the elite. The Lady Vols are continuing their dominance of the women's game, and the Diamond Vols are beginning a new era under first-year head coach Todd Raleigh.
Even with all the excitement going on in the UT sports world, the biggest stories seem to surround the football team. While Knoxville is still a "football town," the attention recently given to the boys of the gridiron has not been anything to brag about.
Since the start of the New Year, Tennessee has had nine players disciplined, six of those being charged by the police. The most recent incident involves junior Britton Colquitt.
According to govolsxtra.com the star punter was arrested around 3 a.m. on Sunday on accounts of driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident. This was Colquitt's fifth alcohol-related incident while at UT. The questions of the disciplinary actions of the coaching staff have risen yet again.
So before we start bashing the coaching staff for the lack of discipline and punishment on the players, let's request they teach the players that they are no longer little boys but mature young men. They need to know what it really means to be a Volunteer.Many people feel the coaches, particularly head Coach Phillip Fulmer, need to be stricter and have more severe punishments for those who get in trouble. But, look at it from the other side.
Fulmer has kicked two players off of the team and suspended another for five games along with removing that player's scholarship. The punishments are there, yet the players still feel the need to act out.
I believe a different approach needs to be taken. Instead of dishing out many punishments, the coaching staff should take action to prevent incidents like these from happening rather than punishing them after.
This is not to say that punishments are bad things, but more like preemptive actions to reduce the occurrence of these situations.
The players seem to have a problem with understanding what a lucky situation they are in. They are getting to play football for THE University of Tennessee. Many men have donned the orange and white, and now these young men get the chance to do the same.
The problem is that today's generation does not seem to understand the history and tradition behind this program.
The coaching staff should inform the players of this rich tradition that is Big Orange football. Tennessee has had many great teams throughout its history, and they all had one thing in common. The players thought about the name on the front of the jersey and what the orange T on the helmet stands for.
So before we start bashing the coaching staff for the lack of discipline and punishment on the players, let's request they teach the players that they are no longer little boys but mature young men. They need to know what it really means to be a Volunteer.
Comments
Jeff commented, on February 23, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.:
While you're at it Stephen, maybe you can explain to Al Qaida that we all just want to get along. You're an idiot.
Jacob commented, on February 23, 2008 at 12:16 p.m.:
I would like an explantion from this Jeff. I belive Stephen told it like it was and made a valid point. This as nothing to do with getting along or doing anything extreme, it has to do with players respecting their team, their school and themselves.
Jeff commented, on February 23, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.:
To Jacob:
I guess I just have a different mind set. Personally, I think "inform(ing) the players of this rich tradition that is Big Orange football" is akin to informing a brick wall. Unfortunately, time and time again history has proven that the kids that cause the most trouble bring those character issues with them the day they arrive.
You see, I think Stephen is completely off point. Love and explanations won't do it. Neither will punishment.
If Phil wants to run a cleaner program he will need to forgo talent on the recruiting trail and opt for higher character kids. Again, unfortunately, love and hugs and "what the orange T on the helmet stands for" won't do much good, imo. And in reality, neither will "tough" love in the form of suspensions, etc.
I realize there are exceptions, but exceptions don't validate a theory. The one great truth is that kids that have character issues prior to arriving will have them after arriving, also - check your history.
Tennessee football provides a wonderful opportunity for many worthy athletes to better themselves and their families. Most take advantage of it. Personally, I think it is a cop out to pretend that the staff is attempting to help these low character kids better themselves. (I don't think they'd care as much if it wasn't for that 4.4/40.)There are plenty of programs all over the state and nation with tons of resources to help anyone that wants it.
I am not insensitive to the plight of some of these guys - broken/dysfunctional families, etc. Mostly, it is not of their own doing. I am aware of that. But, help is available elsewhere. Let them go get it. Tennessee football needs to be kept off of the front page for all the wrong reasons and speeches about "what it really means to be a Volunteer" won't really help much.
Put Stephen in a room with the bad ones and let him give them a speech about it. They'll probably beat him up and take his wallet. Al-Qaida would just cut his head off.
Jacob commented, on February 23, 2008 at 5:58 p.m.:
I see your point now, thank you for the explanation. I still don't understand your Al-Qaeda references.
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