CURIOUS INDEX, 7/21/08
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Oh, hell. There’s much more to be written about this, but let’s just assume that the “DAMAGE: CATASTROPHIC” reading on Kirk Ferentz’s career meter is accurate, and could be an understatement of the truth. Read this, and nod in agreement that at best, the coach and athletic director of the University of Iowa are both guilty of incompetence in not following university procedure. At the worst, as OPS writes, it’s “conspiracy and malice” demonstrated by a football program that has had the worst, most under-reported, and consistent discipline problem in college football in the past three years.
If this were Miami, SI would be cranking this up as “Quit Football, Part Two.” This is Iowa, however, and thus tiny, in the middle of the country, short on glamour, and therefore off the radar. Despicable is despicable is despicable, however: a month after an alleged sexual assault, the University of Iowa had one of the alleged perpetrators living three doors down from the victim. The upside? If you’re kind of molest-y and can run a 4.4, the University of Iowa is definitely making a push for you to take a campus visit. Hell, their general counsel, on finding out about it, will be so negligent as to not go to the police with the charges or be the adult in the room and make sure procedure is followed–which it wasn’t. Regardless of the charges’ veracity, the reaction to it was jankety at best, a study in pure sketch. And only on a day like this is this second. Oh, and an Iowa recruit led eight officers on a 20 minute chase through Iowa City while he was half-naked. Michigan fans, this could have been you! Why did you settle for Rodriguez when this could have been you? Defeat comes in a million forms. This is one. The monetization of tailgating begins. Senator–please, don’t forget the title–Blutarsky hails the end of the free tailgating era, as Alabama begins an experiment in charging for tailgating slots on the Quad. Expect violence in response, especially when Georgia fans are told doing donuts in their RVs on the pristine green lawns of the University is not a birthright no matter how long they’ve been doing it. For those who enjoy award-type things: the approach of this blog is Spartan in that we don’t believe in awards or honors period, since the real joy lies in the quotidian slashing, abwork, and massively macho posturing Spartans have to do to be Spartans. Some people like that, though, so there’s the link to the College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which featured a notably undead Joe Paterno and Doug Flutie. Carson Palmer hates Ohio State fans. In response, Buckeye fans do thirty more reps of heavy shrugs, some calf work, and call their friend to talk about how awesome Beanie Wells is in NCAA 2009, then more shrugs in their official team jersey. |
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1
hobeg8r says:
For years, the theory has been thugs/criminals = victories. Iowa clearly disproves that theory. Thugs/criminals = thugs/criminals.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:39 am
2
yoyofutbawl says:
Looks like some Woody fan took a #2 in Carson’s beer cooler at a Browns-Bungles game.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:41 am
3
Albino Tornado says:
Hobeg8r — causation != correlation.
I know I’m kinda glad Nebraska told Riley Reiff — the naked dude running through Iowa City — to look elsewhere after Pelini took over. I’m sure 20 minutes of streaking in Parkston, S.D. isn’t any big deal; why the IC cops got to be suck Captain Bringdowns?
Oh, and Oops Pow — if you’re looking for a wideout, I think ex-Husker Shevin Wiggins still has some eligibility left. Not much in the hands department, but he’s got great feet — if you’re into that sort of thing.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:47 am
4
Doug says:
Cue the obligatory comment pointing out how much Ferentz is getting paid, but hey, if you want that Fulmer Cup, you better be prepared to shell out.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:54 am
5
Oops Pow Surprise says:
I kind of miss the days where we lauded the Ferentz regime for “winning the right way.” And that was only, like, 3 years ago.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:55 am
6
blon57 says:
#2
The guy wears seersucker. (The photo was taken at the Kentucky Derby, but that’s not an excuse.) That says it all for me.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:56 am
7
White Speed Recieiver says:
I’m starting to really hope I never have daughers. Or kids that grow up wanting to be Hawkeyes. But mainly daughters.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:56 am
8
Eirishis says:
O – spot on re: the counsel. Not to bullhorn for my chosen profession, but “adult in the room” is precisely what the lawya is supposed to be in that situation. Dammit, folks, procedure exists to protect all parties involved … including the accused.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:58 am
9
mlmintampa says:
Criminal cover ups like Iowa and should trigger a SMU-like death penalty. I’d rather see guys paid under the table than rape and pillage.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:58 am
10
White Speed Recieiver says:
OPS,
I miss those days, when I said that we should do things more like Ferentz because he was recruiting kids from small towns in the midwest and turning them into NFL players. I really hope I don’t have to hear anything bad about Karl Klug.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:02 am
11
PSUrob says:
MLM,
I concur 100%. If your senior most folks are trying to pull a stunt like this (allegedly), there are most likely some SERIOUS other problems.
When there’s smoke, there’s fire. And this is chernobyl-like smoke billowing from the Hawkeye program.
Anything but a full blown NCAA and state/FBI investigation would be a joke.
Hope this all isn’t correct (especially since the assault).
July 21st, 2008 at 9:12 am
12
gerry dorsey says:
@ #1,
the exception that proves the rule my friend
July 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am
13
UgasTexan says:
Iowa’s in the Big Ten right? Put them in the SEC and ESPN will be all over it.
Props to Carson Palmer for saying what everyone outside of Buckeye Nation is think- err, saying: Fuck Ohio State. And he’s dead-on about the game. Southern Cal is going to open up a can on OSU – BCS Championship Game Style!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am
14
AlanInDC says:
Probably somewhere in the middle of the two camps is the “truth” of what happened and the follow up/fallout. But at bare minimum it’s ridiculous that someone gets raped and isn’t given the bare minimum of victim’s advocates and support. I work in higher ed and that’s drilled into us from day one of graduate school. Shameful to say the least.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am
15
UgasTexan says:
#6
Nothing wrong with a seersucker at the Derby. But when you pair it with that shiny shirt and that tie… yeah. Big problem.
There is no need to be hatin’ on seersuckers.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:16 am
16
blon57 says:
re: Iowa
There are women who falsely accuse men of assault, but majority of the accusations are based on an actual incident. Not to get preachy (I guess I am), but you can see why women take this so seriously. This type of incident happens all the time on campus and it is worse when an athlete is involved. Universities invest a lot of time and money in these kids and it is in their best interest (i.e. winning program) to keep these boys on the team. Universities want a winning program (money, prestige) and it is in the administration’s best interest to make this go away as quickly as possible. The odds are stacked against the victim.
Reading the article on aol wasn’t a shock. That is a very sad thing to have to say.
I’m off my soapbox now.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:16 am
17
T Bag says:
I don’t understand this alleged victim didn’t go straight to the police. Does it seem weird to anyone else that she would waste time with these university bureaucrats when these creeps should have been behind bars?
July 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
18
blon57 says:
#15
I HATE to see seersucker on a man. Sorry.
And you are right about the shirt and tie. You know he makes enough money to pay someone to help him dress.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:19 am
19
skinnyphatman says:
Half naked? See, that is a case in point as to why Iowa will never be a contenda. Real winners do nothing half way. A tightly laced up pair of running shoes, I would accept, but if Iowa really wants to hit the big time, they need to focus their energies on recruits who go all out, 110% and all, fully naked!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:26 am
20
Chickenskratch says:
“O – spot on re: the counsel. Not to bullhorn for my chosen profession, but “adult in the room” is precisely what the lawya is supposed to be in that situation. Dammit, folks, procedure exists to protect all parties involved … including the accused.”
A clue as to why that often isn’t the case is buried somewhere in the use, by a grown man, and one moreover who is arguing for adult behavior on the part of his co-professionals, of gangster slang terms like “lawya.”
July 21st, 2008 at 9:27 am
21
Crabapple Buck says:
On Iowa, if things keep going the way they are in Iowa City, the Big Ten will be back to 10 teams for a few years.
Anthony Munoz still lives in Cincy and his daughter transferred for her final 2 years to tOSU. So it would appear that the hate is Palmer’s, and he is a bit bitter. Could be because in 2002, he and USC blew 2 games and were out of the hunt when tOSU had the 14-0 miracle season. Shine your Heisman Carson.
And UgasTexan, please bet your entire fortune on USC. When you are broke, maybe Carson will let you live with him.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:28 am
22
BamaGrad says:
About the “monetization of tailgating”:
For starters, the “experiment” began last year, and it was a complete success. I was one of the guinea pigs, and while I’m not doing it again this year because I’m not going to be tailgating (for other reasons), I would gladly pay again to have a reserved tailgating spot on the Quad. Below is what I posted on Biting the hand; read on…
They actually implemented this at the request of tailgaters, through surveys. Tailgating on the Quad in Tuscaloosa had gotten so out of hand that this was needed. The Quad is the most popular and most scenic place to tailgate, but it had gotten to the point where you had to get there at 7 AM Friday to get a tailgating spot.
On top of that, students started thriving businesses that would reserve a spot and set up a tailgate for you. That made the situation even worse, because on top of normal people squatting on their tailgating spots at 7 AM you also had many students from these businesses out roping off all of the good spots for their customers. This caused some serious friction because before tailgating on the Quad had become so popular, people had what they considered “their spot” and they had probably been tailgating there for years. Then one week they come to find some 18 year old kid has roped off their spot and denying them access. Something had to give.
I was one of the original 22 renters from last year, and it was wonderful. We didn’t have to fight others for access to the power outlets, we didn’t have to bribe some student to get there at 7 AM to save a spot for us, etc. We just showed up whenever we wanted and knew our spot would always be there.
That’s not even mentioning the fact that tailgaters leave the Quad looking like a Talladega parking lot after 3 days of partying. The University has to pay to have people clean that up, they have to pay for all of the electricity used, and they have to pay for the landscaping/upkeep of the grounds that people trample and ruin from September through December. All of that costs money, so it makes complete sense that they would try to recoup those expenses.
It’s easy to blame the money hungry schools in a case like this, but here the tailgaters themselves are to blame. If tailgating on the Quad had never gotten out of hand like it has, then this would not have been necessary. I specifically requested for the University to reserve some areas for paying customers, and I gladly paid.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:29 am
23
blon57 says:
#17
From the article on the DesMo. Reg. site, it sounds as if she was an athlete and went to her coach first and then to others in the athletic department. From the article-
They were told that if the victim chose to go with an informal action the athletic department would act swiftly and effectively. If she chose to go formally, which was explained as an in-house process but going outside of the athletic department, she would be looking at a long, arduous process. … She was really encouraged to try the informal route first,” the alleged victim’s mother wrote.
They gave her very bad advice, She should have gone to the police.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:30 am
24
Biggus Rickus says:
Wow. I always thought Ferentz was a touch overrated as a coach, but I had no idea he was such a sleazy asshole. If that letter is even halfway accurate, the University’s actions are indefensible.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:34 am
25
OhioDawg says:
We do our donuts in pickups!
Anyway, Carson hit the nail on the head. I’m in Cincinnati and surrounded by tOSU fans. They can’t all be assholes, but the only analogous fan base I can come up with is UK basketball.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:35 am
26
DanF says:
#13
Outside the Lines is doing a whole show on Penn State and off the field problems this Sunday.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:35 am
27
UFJim says:
was that a charlie weis ham sandwich joke orson?
July 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am
28
hobeg8r says:
If there was an Ellis T. Jones III award for coaches, Ferentz has my vote.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am
29
Diamond M says:
Alas, the monetization of tailgating was already in full glory at SMU, where more people attend the tailgate on the “Boulevard” than actually make it in to the game 100 yards away.
4 years ago, we were paying $90 per spot (really a negligible price for sweet parking with shade near the stadium), then with the new AD (Steve Orsini — one of the finalists for the ND job) came in, he saw the one thing on campus related to sports that anyone actually wanted, and increased the price over 500% to $480 per spot. It went up again this year to $600.
Meanwhile, the price of our season tickets in row 13 on the 40 yard line behind the home bench have gone down to a whopping $120 plus a $30 mandatory donation (although more moola gets you much better seats).
Tells you pretty much all you need to know about the state of SMU football.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:50 am
30
blon57 says:
#29
$120 for the entire season on the 40? $30 donation? Wow. I remember SMU’s glory days.
I’m reading a book about the UT-A&M rivalry and it references the old Southwest Conference a lot. I miss the time when all the teams were in Texas (except for Arkansas and who gave a rat’s a&$ about them anyway). Everyone hated Texas (and still do, I assume) and it made road games memorable, although sometimes treacherous.
The funny part was the history of the Southwest Conference…it was started By Theo Bellmont, UT athletic director, because there was so much graft and cheating in football during that time. And it ended because of money issues and cheating.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
31
haybeav says:
#18
How can you hate seersucker?? It’s so light and comfortable.
Wait a minute, are you one of those guys that actually wears football jereseys to the game?
July 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am
32
UgasTexan says:
Hey Crapabble: I’m not a betting man (what with flunky teams like Northwestern throwing games and all – I’ve learned not to bet anything on the performances of 18-22 year olds). Thanks for the advice, though, much appreciated. Really.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
33
Jebus says:
Man, I’m happy this happy asshole didn’t get the U-M job.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
34
UgasTexan says:
@ haybeav:
blon ain’t a guy.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
35
haybeav says:
correction: gals
July 21st, 2008 at 10:10 am
36
Pirate Petey says:
reaction to it was jankety
arrrrrr – I thought this was the reaction I got when I greeted me enemies with me custom belaying pin
and I am not sure what 2nd degree and 3rd degree sexual assault are, but if it involves anything past touching the ladies hem I hope these laddies be a walkin’ the plank…. unless the judge accepts the olde Cheech and Chong defense…
Judge: How do you plead?
Cheech: Not guilty by reason of insanity your honor!
Judge: Not guilty?! How do you figure that?
Cheech: I’m just crazy about that stuff your honor….
July 21st, 2008 at 10:11 am
37
blon57 says:
#31
No, I am female and I hate a man in seersucker. That is a relationship breaker for me…wear seersucker, it’s OVER.
That’s just my opinion. Take it for what it is…a woman living in a state where flannel shirts, wrangler jeans, gun racks and F-150s are the norm. I wear Chanel and Prada, so I have good taste. I just don’t want a guy in anything frumpy.
I probably have serious male imagery problems and need therapy.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
38
ATL AU Tiger says:
Loves me some seersucker pants on a cute boy…..with white bucs, of course.
Makes it tough when footall season starts right at Labor Day….only one game you can “properly” wear the bucs…..
July 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
39
UFJim says:
Wow that iowa stuff is offensive
July 21st, 2008 at 10:17 am
40
haybeav says:
#37
Fair enough.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:29 am
41
blon57 says:
#38
FYI. You can now wear white after Labor Day.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
42
ATL AU Tiger says:
Unfortuntely not if you grew up in my mother’s house…..scarred me for life!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:53 am
43
Jester says:
so who wins….Wannstache or Ferentz this year?
July 21st, 2008 at 10:54 am
44
The Song of Hiawatha Francisco says:
@20: You’re new here, aren’t you.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
45
yoyofutbawl says:
6
Seersucker depends on one’s POV. Pants only for me. Honey Pie likes it too. Carson needs help bad with the shirt/tie.
As for white after Labor Day, don’t let Kathleen Turner catch you in the Ladies Bathroom if you do that. Especially if there’s a pay phone in the bathroom.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
46
Oranse Taylor says:
Media bias against Miami? Why it was just last week that Fox News took exception to the way the AP handled Tony Snow’s obituary. While Fox News had no problem last year speculating whether Sean Taylors murder could have been “a hit” or “revenge” for him being a thug.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:17 am
47
SDSMP says:
Iowa AD Gary Barta response re: naked recruit olympics:
“We’ll deal with it in accordance with the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.”
Well, then. . .I for one shall sleep easy knowing the Iowa Athletic Dept. is on the case.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
48
PW says:
8 & 20
You guys know “lawya” ? lawyer, right?
July 21st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
49
PW says:
re: 47
that question mark was supposed to be a “does not equal” sign. damn ebays.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
50
Will (the other one) says:
@ 22
So it was really more of a glorified “get off my lawn you punk kids” policy than anything?
July 21st, 2008 at 12:35 pm
51
blon57 says:
#45- “As for white after Labor Day, don’t let Kathleen Turner catch you in the Ladies Bathroom if you do that. Especially if there’s a pay phone in the bathroom.”
I love that movie.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
52
meatybob says:
#46
Well, he was a thug, just thugging wasn’t a part of that incident. You need a better argument than “Stalin wasn’t a bag guy because he wasn’t Hitler.”
July 21st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
53
psu4evr says:
Can you blame Palmer????
July 21st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
54
shanensga says:
Sounds like Iowa needs to do some housekeeping, from the AD all the way down to the 3 million dollar man. Who knows, with these actions that 4 million dollar buyout may be avoided entirely, or some deal made. Pay him now and clean up the program. The guy went 6-6, not 10-2.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
55
yoyofutbawl says:
51
The SLA should have done that to Patty Hearst back in 1974.
Also Sam Watterson’s second best peformance. Rancho Deluxe was better.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
56
DevilGrad says:
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the next coach of the Cincinnati Bengals . . . Kirk Ferentz.
(Hell, it’s the only NFL job this downwardly-mobile bag of shit could get now.)
July 21st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
57
PoeMcFuckinNoe says:
I think Jim Tressel wakes up every morning and thinks to himself ‘That guy makes more money than I do”.
If he ever wins another national championship, he gets to renegotiate he contract. I expect Kirk Ferentz has something to do with these bowl losses as well.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:37 pm