Recently, the random juke box received a note from ten_lb-bass complaining that there wasn’t enough homage being paid to the great Robert Plant. You could argue that he’s the greatest front man in the history of Rock N Roll. Led Zepplin created what many view the greatest rock song in annals with Stairway to Heaven. But for this entry, I want to take you to Plant’s solo career. The one-time and part-time Austin resident just turned 67 this past Thursday.
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Guilty and hindsight are the two words that define Baylor’s week of Aug. 17. The first word directly led to the second word.
When a McLennan County jury found one-time Baylor defensive end Sam Ukwuachu guilty of second degree sexual assault of a Baylor soccer player in 2013, it touched off a firestorm where this story is far from finished.
The hindsight ranges from accepting Ukwuachu’s transfer, to the assault, to not removing Ukwuachu from the university, to the university’s botched investigation of this crime – so bad that the judge wouldn’t allow into the trial. These will all be debated, argued and discussed for weeks and months to come. The reality is that everybody in the Baylor community is going to have to deal with this head on and be as transparent when it’s appropriate to be transparent.
First, it’s obvious Art Briles did everything right thing by taking Ukwuachu off the roster when he got word of the investigation. As for keeping Ukwuachu in the program, I’ll get to that in a moment but allow me to provide some context before I do that.
I grew up in Las Vegas for 17 years (a great city back then, NOT NOW) and I watched those UNLV basketball teams under the late Jerry Tarkanian win with players that he accepted from troubled backgrounds. Tark was nicknamed “Father Flanagan” but he said that he did it because he wanted to give those players a chance to succeed in life. The discipline of staying in the classroom and playing basketball offered structure and a sanctuary. Some were saved. Some were not. But they had the opportunity.
I also grew up in a house with an older brother who had everything going for him and lost his way due to a series of poor personal choices. He was probably going to be a pharmacist. His first mistake was that he turned down a scholarship offer to Notre Dame and settled for another school. Then everything spiraled after that. My late father tried for years to save him before it became apparent that there was nothing more he could do. During those years, I argued with my dad and told him he was wasting his time. And he kept saying, “Kevin, where there’s life, there’s hope.’’ He also brought up the biblical story of prodigal son. I countered saying, “Dad. Yes, but the end of the story is the son figured it out. My brother won’t.’’ Of course, I was in my 20s and 30s when my family was getting started. Now, that I’m in my mid-40s and my girls are in their teens, I know I would absolutely do whatever I was capable of doing to get them off a wayward path. I’m happy to say there aren’t any red flags at this point.
So let’s get back to this. Let’s start with the transfer. I remember when Ukwuachu was on the Baylor campus in June and committed. I talked to him when he was on his way home to Pearland. Here’s my story that’s been linked by multiple outlets. Now, that conversation was two years old. We’ve all slept since then. All I can tell you is that he was excited to be back in Texas and was looking forward to this chance with Baylor. I read up on his dismissal from Boise St. and dutifully asked him about it. I got the non-answers I was expecting. But I did my job but as you can see, I included it in my story. To me, this looked like a typical player getting a second chance because he was talented and that maybe a fresh start was needed. Obviously, we know a lot more now.
The statement by then-Boise State head coach Chris Petersen – now at Washington – Friday afternoon grabbed headlines. But it also didn’t cover specifics either (Petersen said he won’t comment any further on it). Briles countered with his own statement Friday night along with the documentation. Briles’ point was validated by Pearland coach Tony Heath who said in a couple of interviews that he was not made aware of the issues involving Ukwuachu and violence toward women when Ukwuachu was at Boise St.
The assault doesn’t really need much explanation other than when you are telling your victim, “This isn’t rape’’ it's like pointing a gun at a bank teller and explaining how this isn’t an armed robbery. The testimony for the court record is what it is.
Briles and others involved in the decision have their reasons for why Ukwuachu remained with the program. If they were made aware in more detail about the depression issues Ukwuachu was going through, the only thing I can think of is that perhaps they believed that if they cut him loose, he would be more of a danger to himself and to others. Maybe they believed some kind of structure was important to try and keep his life moving, despite this violent act of crime. Ukwuachu did graduate in May. But we have seen in life where people with checkered pasts have a better sense of purpose when they are in a routine. When football coaches tell parents that they are going to take care of their sons, they want to do whatever is possible to fulfill that promise.
The essence of this whole matter is that Baylor – not the football program – messed this up because it didn’t protect the victim. First, I cannot understand how Ukwuachu and the victim were not immediately separated from each other after this happened. That’s what Texas Monthly told us. The victim had to do that. She should not have had to do that. That’s on Baylor.
Second, I don’t know how you can conduct an investigation that’s as insufficient as what was reported. The following is what Texas Monthly reported was in the internal investigation.
Meanwhile, the details about the investigation conducted by Baylor that came out during the trial reveal one that was shockingly brief: It involved reading text messages, looking at a polygraph test Ukwuachu had independently commissioned—which is rarely admissible in court—and contacting Ukwuachu, Doe, and one witness on behalf of each of them. Ukwuachu’s roommate, Peni Tagive, is the primary witness in his defense. During opening statements, Sibley—Ukwuachu’s attorney—claimed that Tagive would be able to testify that he had been present at the time of the incident, and neither saw nor heard any signs of the struggle that Doe claims ensued. During her testimony, Doe stated several times that she doesn’t believe that Tagive was in the apartment, and prosecutor Robert F. Moody said in his opening statement that “We’re not going to call him, because we don’t believe he’s trustworthy.”Part of the reason Moody might not trust Tagive’s testimony is that after Tagive—a running back for the Bears—was subpoenaed, he spent two nights in jail for contempt of court after he failed to appear for his grand jury summons, and was required to wear an ankle monitor upon his release to ensure that he would appear to testify. Tagive’s statements may have been considered persuasive to Baylor in its investigation, but he clearly went to some lengths to avoid making them under oath.
That’s it? Maybe I missed it but this doesn’t appear to include the victim going to the hospital after being assaulted and Baylor using that as part of the investigation.
As for the expectations of Ukwuachu playing this season, I have no idea why defensive coordinator Phil Bennett said what he said earlier in the summer about expecting to have Ukwuachu return. Heck, I reported that. There were multiple reports of this. The only thing I can think of is that Bennett must have had some inclination/information that this incident was going to get settled before it ever saw a courtroom. Of course, it’s easy to say now that Bennett should have said nothing. Life doesn’t work that way.
I think most of us can agree that the statement Baylor issued on Thursday evening after the verdict was read could have been the most indifferent, completely unsympathetic remarks ever written and approved. It was the wrong thing to say and it made Baylor look bad.
Then when University President Kenneth Starr announced Friday an internal comprehensive inquiry, it pretty much tells you without telling you that those in position of authority recognize mistakes were made. That means someone eventually is going to take the fall for this. That’s probably going to fall on Associate Dean of Student Conduct Bethany McCraw. Ms. McCraw conducted the investigation. All we have to go by is the testimony and what was reported. But it’s not good.
The bottom line is that I’m not finding much fault with Baylor football. I’m finding fault with the university. Baylor University did not help Baylor football nor the victim and even Ukwuachu. Unfortunately, there are going to be more layers to this story. And when the team returns to practice Tuesday and Briles meets the media, he’s probably going to get pushed by the media as to why Ukwuachu remained the program. Like it or not, that’s just the way the media works.
Misery doesn’t look for company but if you call on pox on Baylor, then you call a pox on every program that has ever been involved with players who have a history of crimes against women. Earlier this year, Alabama’s Nick Saban took on Jonathan Taylor, who was dismissed from Georgia after an assault on his girlfriend. Saban then dismissed Taylor after he was arrested a second time on a similar charge. It was later dropped. Oklahoma suspended linebacker Frank Shannon for a year after was he was arrested for a sexual assault. The district attorney declined to press charges. Shannon is back with the program following university procedures. Tennessee suspended WR Von Pearson because of sexual assault allegations. Those charges were dropped. Pearson is back with the program.
Every internal process is different. We don’t know the fine print with Baylor’s other than what was brought out in the trial.
Certainly, this isn’t the distraction that Baylor needed before a season filled with high expectations begins. The Bears are rated No. 4 in both the preseason Coaches and AP polls. This team is good enough to win a third consecutive Big 12 championship and compete for a national championship.
One of Briles’ greatest strengths is that he can keep a locker room unified and his players focused. He will do that with this team. In fact, this reign of negative press thrown at him and his program is the perfect “chip on your shoulder’’ angle he can play. Briles has made his way of galvanizing his team against the odds. Given how his program was running out ways to use a catalyst, Briles just got one.
There’s just nothing good that comes from this situation. It was a despicable act. The life of a young woman was tainted forever. A young man, who appeared to have a bright future in football, has also ruined his life because of his decision. Baylor will eventually get through this, but it will take some time.
You would just hope that the gravity of this situation has made its lasting impression.
****
Guilty and hindsight are the two words that define Baylor’s week of Aug. 17. The first word directly led to the second word.
When a McLennan County jury found one-time Baylor defensive end Sam Ukwuachu guilty of second degree sexual assault of a Baylor soccer player in 2013, it touched off a firestorm where this story is far from finished.
The hindsight ranges from accepting Ukwuachu’s transfer, to the assault, to not removing Ukwuachu from the university, to the university’s botched investigation of this crime – so bad that the judge wouldn’t allow into the trial. These will all be debated, argued and discussed for weeks and months to come. The reality is that everybody in the Baylor community is going to have to deal with this head on and be as transparent when it’s appropriate to be transparent.
First, it’s obvious Art Briles did everything right thing by taking Ukwuachu off the roster when he got word of the investigation. As for keeping Ukwuachu in the program, I’ll get to that in a moment but allow me to provide some context before I do that.
I grew up in Las Vegas for 17 years (a great city back then, NOT NOW) and I watched those UNLV basketball teams under the late Jerry Tarkanian win with players that he accepted from troubled backgrounds. Tark was nicknamed “Father Flanagan” but he said that he did it because he wanted to give those players a chance to succeed in life. The discipline of staying in the classroom and playing basketball offered structure and a sanctuary. Some were saved. Some were not. But they had the opportunity.
I also grew up in a house with an older brother who had everything going for him and lost his way due to a series of poor personal choices. He was probably going to be a pharmacist. His first mistake was that he turned down a scholarship offer to Notre Dame and settled for another school. Then everything spiraled after that. My late father tried for years to save him before it became apparent that there was nothing more he could do. During those years, I argued with my dad and told him he was wasting his time. And he kept saying, “Kevin, where there’s life, there’s hope.’’ He also brought up the biblical story of prodigal son. I countered saying, “Dad. Yes, but the end of the story is the son figured it out. My brother won’t.’’ Of course, I was in my 20s and 30s when my family was getting started. Now, that I’m in my mid-40s and my girls are in their teens, I know I would absolutely do whatever I was capable of doing to get them off a wayward path. I’m happy to say there aren’t any red flags at this point.
So let’s get back to this. Let’s start with the transfer. I remember when Ukwuachu was on the Baylor campus in June and committed. I talked to him when he was on his way home to Pearland. Here’s my story that’s been linked by multiple outlets. Now, that conversation was two years old. We’ve all slept since then. All I can tell you is that he was excited to be back in Texas and was looking forward to this chance with Baylor. I read up on his dismissal from Boise St. and dutifully asked him about it. I got the non-answers I was expecting. But I did my job but as you can see, I included it in my story. To me, this looked like a typical player getting a second chance because he was talented and that maybe a fresh start was needed. Obviously, we know a lot more now.
The statement by then-Boise State head coach Chris Petersen – now at Washington – Friday afternoon grabbed headlines. But it also didn’t cover specifics either (Petersen said he won’t comment any further on it). Briles countered with his own statement Friday night along with the documentation. Briles’ point was validated by Pearland coach Tony Heath who said in a couple of interviews that he was not made aware of the issues involving Ukwuachu and violence toward women when Ukwuachu was at Boise St.
The assault doesn’t really need much explanation other than when you are telling your victim, “This isn’t rape’’ it's like pointing a gun at a bank teller and explaining how this isn’t an armed robbery. The testimony for the court record is what it is.
Briles and others involved in the decision have their reasons for why Ukwuachu remained with the program. If they were made aware in more detail about the depression issues Ukwuachu was going through, the only thing I can think of is that perhaps they believed that if they cut him loose, he would be more of a danger to himself and to others. Maybe they believed some kind of structure was important to try and keep his life moving, despite this violent act of crime. Ukwuachu did graduate in May. But we have seen in life where people with checkered pasts have a better sense of purpose when they are in a routine. When football coaches tell parents that they are going to take care of their sons, they want to do whatever is possible to fulfill that promise.
The essence of this whole matter is that Baylor – not the football program – messed this up because it didn’t protect the victim. First, I cannot understand how Ukwuachu and the victim were not immediately separated from each other after this happened. That’s what Texas Monthly told us. The victim had to do that. She should not have had to do that. That’s on Baylor.
Second, I don’t know how you can conduct an investigation that’s as insufficient as what was reported. The following is what Texas Monthly reported was in the internal investigation.
Meanwhile, the details about the investigation conducted by Baylor that came out during the trial reveal one that was shockingly brief: It involved reading text messages, looking at a polygraph test Ukwuachu had independently commissioned—which is rarely admissible in court—and contacting Ukwuachu, Doe, and one witness on behalf of each of them. Ukwuachu’s roommate, Peni Tagive, is the primary witness in his defense. During opening statements, Sibley—Ukwuachu’s attorney—claimed that Tagive would be able to testify that he had been present at the time of the incident, and neither saw nor heard any signs of the struggle that Doe claims ensued. During her testimony, Doe stated several times that she doesn’t believe that Tagive was in the apartment, and prosecutor Robert F. Moody said in his opening statement that “We’re not going to call him, because we don’t believe he’s trustworthy.”Part of the reason Moody might not trust Tagive’s testimony is that after Tagive—a running back for the Bears—was subpoenaed, he spent two nights in jail for contempt of court after he failed to appear for his grand jury summons, and was required to wear an ankle monitor upon his release to ensure that he would appear to testify. Tagive’s statements may have been considered persuasive to Baylor in its investigation, but he clearly went to some lengths to avoid making them under oath.
That’s it? Maybe I missed it but this doesn’t appear to include the victim going to the hospital after being assaulted and Baylor using that as part of the investigation.
As for the expectations of Ukwuachu playing this season, I have no idea why defensive coordinator Phil Bennett said what he said earlier in the summer about expecting to have Ukwuachu return. Heck, I reported that. There were multiple reports of this. The only thing I can think of is that Bennett must have had some inclination/information that this incident was going to get settled before it ever saw a courtroom. Of course, it’s easy to say now that Bennett should have said nothing. Life doesn’t work that way.
I think most of us can agree that the statement Baylor issued on Thursday evening after the verdict was read could have been the most indifferent, completely unsympathetic remarks ever written and approved. It was the wrong thing to say and it made Baylor look bad.
Then when University President Kenneth Starr announced Friday an internal comprehensive inquiry, it pretty much tells you without telling you that those in position of authority recognize mistakes were made. That means someone eventually is going to take the fall for this. That’s probably going to fall on Associate Dean of Student Conduct Bethany McCraw. Ms. McCraw conducted the investigation. All we have to go by is the testimony and what was reported. But it’s not good.
The bottom line is that I’m not finding much fault with Baylor football. I’m finding fault with the university. Baylor University did not help Baylor football nor the victim and even Ukwuachu. Unfortunately, there are going to be more layers to this story. And when the team returns to practice Tuesday and Briles meets the media, he’s probably going to get pushed by the media as to why Ukwuachu remained the program. Like it or not, that’s just the way the media works.
Misery doesn’t look for company but if you call on pox on Baylor, then you call a pox on every program that has ever been involved with players who have a history of crimes against women. Earlier this year, Alabama’s Nick Saban took on Jonathan Taylor, who was dismissed from Georgia after an assault on his girlfriend. Saban then dismissed Taylor after he was arrested a second time on a similar charge. It was later dropped. Oklahoma suspended linebacker Frank Shannon for a year after was he was arrested for a sexual assault. The district attorney declined to press charges. Shannon is back with the program following university procedures. Tennessee suspended WR Von Pearson because of sexual assault allegations. Those charges were dropped. Pearson is back with the program.
Every internal process is different. We don’t know the fine print with Baylor’s other than what was brought out in the trial.
Certainly, this isn’t the distraction that Baylor needed before a season filled with high expectations begins. The Bears are rated No. 4 in both the preseason Coaches and AP polls. This team is good enough to win a third consecutive Big 12 championship and compete for a national championship.
One of Briles’ greatest strengths is that he can keep a locker room unified and his players focused. He will do that with this team. In fact, this reign of negative press thrown at him and his program is the perfect “chip on your shoulder’’ angle he can play. Briles has made his way of galvanizing his team against the odds. Given how his program was running out ways to use a catalyst, Briles just got one.
There’s just nothing good that comes from this situation. It was a despicable act. The life of a young woman was tainted forever. A young man, who appeared to have a bright future in football, has also ruined his life because of his decision. Baylor will eventually get through this, but it will take some time.
You would just hope that the gravity of this situation has made its lasting impression.
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