I have a hard time writing about things like this. I prefer to write about Michigan sports and not the terrible things that surround it in real life.
Brendan Gibbons was expelled from the University of Michigan for his involvement in a sexual assault case in 2009.
“You will be permanently separated from the University of Michigan effective
December 20, 2013,” reads a Dec. 19, 2013 letter addressed to Gibbons at his
Florida residence from the University’s Office of Student Conflict Resolution,
which facilitates disciplinary proceedings against students. The Michigan Daily
did not obtain these documents from the University.
This is terrible on so many levels. Lets start from the beginning.
If Brendan raped a U of M student in 2009, he should be expelled from school and brought up on criminal charges.
What the hell is going on at Michigan that it took them 4 years to come to this conclusion? Don't talk to me about change of policy, if there was reasons for him to be expelled in 2013 there should have been plenty of reasons to expell him in 2009 or 2010. This is unacceptable and I'm embarrassed for the University.
I'm really starting to question Brady Hoke and his leadership skills. I don't mean internally with his players, what I mean is how he treats the public and continues to straight out lie about situations. I don't expect Brady to go into details about a student athletes situation but he sure as hell could have picked better words then this on Gibbons status for the bowl game.
12/16: "He's a little iffy," Hoke said. "He's kicking a little bit. But I don't want to over-kick him (in practice). "I've never been a kicker, so I can't imagine that (muscle pull) problem. So, he's a little iffy."
That is 100% BS and a complete lie. I'm also not buying that Gibbons was hurt for the Ohio State game. There is zero chance Hoke didn't know what was going on. Again, I don't believe he should have or could have given us details about the situation, but the lie that he was injured is un-acceptable. When Gibbons didn't make the trip to the bowl game, Hoke said he was dealing with a family issue in Florida. Hoke also lied about Devin Gardner having a turf toe when his foot was broken and had no chance of playing in the bowl game.
If Hoke is a man of integrity he should try not to straight out lie about situations with his team and players. There are ways of using words like "removed from the team" or "no longer with the program" that doesn't look like he is trying to hide or cover up a situation. Being a strong communicator is a big part of his job, he better figure out how to do it.
This a complete nightmare from every angle and everyone involved should be punished for how it was handled.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Wolverine Wednesday: Gibbons Expelled
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6 comments:
Black eye for sure. This is nothing but a cover up. Someone needs to pay for this.
I agree Bob, we're talking about Michigan.... not fsu, not ohio. We expect more, there needs to be accountability and a higher standard!
Many organizations have either a think tank that processes their institutional responses to potentially damaging situations and the information it releases or at least a process that outlines who defers to whom in making decisions in handling assault allegations and speaking on behalf of the institution regarding its position.
You would think that they would have learned from Penn States' poor handling of their assault and reporting issues, and when you look at some of the other universities that have had students with allegations of assault, Michigan should have been taking notes on what to do and what not to do.
I am surprised that David Brandon wasn't an obvious part of this process because handling things like this would appear to be his job. In other words, handling student assault charges and seeking the safety and welfare of all university students should be an institutional decision and not a coaching decision, but it "looks" as though Hoke was left to figure this one out on his own.
Michigan is the school that has taken the high road when it comes to all moral and legal issues regarding all things Michigan, but it looks as though they may have dropped the ball on this one. Now I would imagine the school will try to perform some sort of damage control to save its public image. However, as the old saying goes, "If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, walks like a duck...it's a duck!" IMHO
Bob,
Before you jump to conclusions and pretend to know a situation that you don't, let's not throw our head football coach under the bus. Legally, if coach Hoke did know information about an open investigation he wouldn't be able to talk about it with the media. Do you think that Gibbons could have actually pulled his hamstring? Or are you blindly pointing out accusations based off zero facts. The school isn't going to cut ties with a student until proven guilty. It's unfortunate that it took this long for all parties involved, but to accuse Hoke of lying, and to degrade the university you love for following policies and procedures is both irresponsible are completely unfair.
Brad, did Hoke lie about Gardner's injury? Yes, he did. He did not have turf toe. Is it a far jump that Hoke knew Gibbons would be expelled two days before he made the injury remark? I don't think there was any chance Hoke didn't know the situation.
Bob,
You're probably right, and it is your blog and you're entitled to your opinion. I am sorry if I come off confrontational. I really enjoy reading your blog (read it daily) just have been so frustrated with how the team is doing and the negativity just fueled my bad mood. Or maybe it's the weather! Keep up the good work..
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