PortageLkBlu

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 4:04 p.m.

Neither one of you answered particulars of this issue in fact maybe others. The point is if you weigh the whole of this particular issue how do we feel reassured that this young man was treated fairly? I suppose that in a way you did answer it in the same way that has kept this issue alive and that is, you have no answer except to fall back on variables of a policy insinuating that if the admissions office came to this conclusion then we should take it for granted that it was a correct conclusion. One of the great things about this country is that we can challenge rulings that are acted on with no explanation to the public. This may be their ruling and your right they can wield the sword without explanation but there are exceptions to the rule in all cases, if you haven't learned that yet you will.

wvtroll

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 1:36 p.m.

Why isn't non-athletic refusal an issue here? If it's not due to athletic ability, which we assume Mr. Dorsey has plenty, then it has to be a drawn conclusion that it falls back on the normal, non-athletic decision to which everyone must be subjected. I'm guessing that at UM, like other institutions, that includes some degree of background characterization checking as well as GPA. In this case, UM did the right thing by comparing this individual to the same, and maybe more intense, scrutiny than the normal applicant. In some ways, this became the reverse scrutiny normally applied to athletic applicants because of the spotlight Mr. Dorsey may bring to UM. It doesn't matter what the reason, you have to consider the admissions officers did their job properly. If not, you run into a scandal much like WVU had with the governor's daughter. If you're not familiar with those facts, it revolved around a granted degree which couldn't be proved that it was earned. At face value, it would seem to be a single issue, but because of the press enlightening the rest of the world to that misdoing, other degrees earned by others were investigated as well. If you feel there was anything irregular with how Mr. Dorsey was handled, you might as well start looking at how many others were dealt with improperly. A school's image is a fragile thing once anything out-of-the-ordinary occurs, and you risk tarnishing UM terribly. Best to drop the matter and confess all was proper at this time.

PortageLkBlu

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.

I'm not talking about non athletes they are not the issue here. This is a 2 lane highway and that means academics and policy and football and policy. I'm hearing those of you describe our university as this great institution which has integrity equal to or better than most and I also hear some of you advancing your theory on why this young man was not admitted but I haven't heard any of you describe your credentials that make you privy to this information as fact. We may never know why this young man was not admitted but fact is we do know one important point decided for some reason that none of us seem to be privy to and that is Mr Demar Dorsey will not be attending the University of Michigan. The reason for his denial is????. It may be becuase????? or it may be becuase????. The Admissions office feels that it's a private matter that they don't need to share so my theory is, either they didn't have a legitimate reason to refuse young Mr Dorsey or they did and could care less whether we know the truth and the funny thing is about this mystery is that the eventual truth may just end up coming from Mr.Demar Dorsey.

wvtroll

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 6:33 a.m.

Port..., Age makes a lot of us take our time and evaluate things more than once. I hope we're better for that. It's often an overlooked point, but many non-athletes are denied admission with grades "good" enough to qualify. It's just not athletes that are turned away. Being a better-than-average sports candidate should make no difference in the requisites for admission, although it usually is. I would hate to be the person that ever has to turn away a qualified applicant due to the number of spots available, but I'm sure that happens as well. Refusal is a fact of life. UM as a whole should be commended for upholding their standards. I get the impression that if the grades were a little better, the effort to prove academic ability more visible, and so on and so forth in the academic side of the equation, then the second chance would have been extended. The more I read these forums, the more I get the impression that UM is truly a fine institution. It might sound cliche, but doing the right thing is always proper, and it sounds as if all things in this case were proper. A second chance is usually something earned by demonstrated efforts and the resultant qualities they have brought. It's not a right, but a granted reward. Keep that in mind when you judge your admissions officers and decide whether they really did the right thing or not.

maizenbluenc

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 6:05 a.m.

OK, as a fan base we seem very schizophrenic. We want which will represent the University well from an athletic, academic, and public image standpoint. (The University is measured by the NCAA on good APR ratings.) Then, when the admissions office essentially tells us an athlete who clearly delivers on the first, but probably will not be able to deliver on the second of those aspirations, we all run around whining. (Not to mention some of us ran around whining when the third aspiration was exposed.) Bottom line is the academic credentials of Demar Dorsey were either not good enough, or not credible enough to admit him. It would appear Demar is earnest about his "second chance" and I applaud him, hope he stays focused and wish him luck.

Jarhead

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 5:48 a.m.

I also agree with giving a kid a second chance. Do you not think the coaching staff wasn't drooling over him? However the admissions office must have had enough flags to reject Dorsey. There must have been more than one criteria that they felt uncomfortable about, and with all the negative press lately.....well. The U has admitted plenty of border line students before and many have been asked to leave over the years for lack of grades or improper actions. Basically I think the fans opinions carry too much clout at the University.

Jarhead

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 5:39 a.m.

I think Sean T is right about conditioning. Great conditioning, training, exercising, all reduce the injuries to one's self. Allows a player to keep his energy up through out the game and reduces the instances of pull muscles, ie; groin muscles, hamstrings etc. The collision with players from the opposite team are injuries that will always be a part of football, until somebody passes legislation and waters down the sport.

Sean T.

Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 12:48 a.m.

Actually, it would be a first chance because he never played college football before. And would we feel the same if this was a MSU recruit that Dantonio had signed? We badgered the Spartys about Winston and the the Furious Fourteen about their second chances. I thought not admitting Dorsey was a good move whether I'm wrong or not but now it's Louisville's issue. And superior conditioning won't actually reduce injury according to muscle magazine but I haven't checked more superior publications for info.

PortageLkBlu

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 11:06 p.m.

It's nice to hear people admit the truth once in awhile and Vern your pretty darn close to it. The good thing you young ones have to look forward to in older age is that you will learn to judge appropriately when real integrity is shown and not the kind that really has an ulterior motive. The only real integrity that I've seen lately is the young men and women volunteering for the military which is in general a ticket to war. Did this kid have the grades to go to Mich.? Was he doing as well academically as other students that have been admitted? If the answer to either of those questions is yes then was he refused admission solely becuase of his personal problems with the courts? Was he found guilty of any crimes and what were the nature of the crimes? Have other potential sports students been, if so were their backgrounds made as public or shall we say transparent as Dorsey's? Is it integrity to refuse a young person a chance or is it integrity to give a young person a first chance at your school? Did this young man have role model's that encouraged good behavior I mean such as supportive parents and environment in general? I had good supportive parents so I realize how lucky I was in being able to survive my youth unscathed with criminal background and I thank god every day for all the support I received growing up but make no mistake there are many that grow up in horrible environments that have only one shot at getting there lives in order and that is sports at some school like the University of Michigan and I don't think the great University of Michigan can afford to turn it's back on young men and women that need a chance at life becuase of mistakes in their youth. There are those that say. let them apply elsewhere to another school and that in itself could create a poor image of a school that is supposed to be better than most. Does that mean better for a handpicked few or better and fairer than most?

vern

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 10:28 p.m.

i understand that the wolverines have to show integrity, but may be that's why this young man was gald to go Michigan for that reason knowing that coachs had his back and being with his cousin he would be able to stay out of trouble i think being around positive people he would have change for the better, and doing that,show that Michigan had integrity to sign this kid on and change his life everybody should have a second chance.

Commoncents

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.

I believe they should have admitted Dorsey and given him a shot. Granted I don't know the full story, but it's a black eye on the program and I'll tell you why I think that. 1. Future recruits will wonder how real an offer from Michigan really is. (Granted - I don't know the full story, but neither do the recruits) 2. Our program would be better with him on it. If we lose this year, RR is gone and it's another rebuilding process. Just being honest, but as a fan I want Dorsey. If he screws up, kick him off the team, but why we can't give him a chance I just don't understand........

APCGuy

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.

Integrity is great! We should also be willing to give a young man a second chance to prove these things are behind him, whatever they may be. Even if he messes up, someone must continually be there to inspire him to "Never Quit Quitting" no matter what it is he must quit. That is the true test...

PortageLkBlu

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

Also, let's not be to holy about our Admission policy. We as fans have a moral obligation about the reality of this very brutal sport. Many of these kids are injured and sometimes intentionally maimed during the course of a game and for our entertainment. Just becuase of the environment surrounding the game, the Admissions office, the coaching, the ref's etc. we feel that's our license to commit these young men to a glorified brutal sport and I for one will admit that I love the brutality of the game. I played, I was injured and I still love the brutality which is sometimes intentional maiming not always flagged by the refs. Some of the play action not flagged would land you in jail on the street. Before we pat ourselves on the back for Dorsey think about one thing. Did you ever after seeing an injured player lying on the field wish that the support staff would hurry up and remove that injured player from the playing field so that play could resume?

PortageLkBlu

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.

As long as the Admissions office remains consistant with this policy I'm fine with it.

azwolverine

Thu, Jun 24, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.

Yeah, Florida is successful on the field but 24 arrests under Meyer is a price that I am glad Michigan does not want to pay. Thank goodness our admissions department still maintains some integrity.