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BETWEEN THE TACKLES |
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Phil Callihan,
Editor-in-Chief |
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3/23/02-
IF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE...
The never-ending Ed Martin saga has again moved to center stage.
The federal government has indicted Martin on three counts including
money laundering. For those who have been living under a rock
for the last five, Martin is the friendly neighborhood hanger-on who
lavished young basketball players in the Detroit area with gifts and
cash. Martin who is accused of running an illegal gambling
operation decided to launder some of his ill-gotten games by making
loans to young basketball players with NBA potential.
The allegations are devastating. Evidence seems to indicate that
Michigan basketball players may have received over $600K
in illegal loans. Here are my thoughts on the situation:
Ed Martin
The sad thing is that there are plenty of garden variety Ed Martin
wannabes around high school athletics. What made Ed special was
his innovative money laundering scheme. His idea to launder
illegal income with high profile athletes was a real winner.
What an idiot...
Steve Fisher
I want to believe that Steve Fisher didn't know anything about the
players getting stacks of cash from Ed Martin. But it really
doesn't matter what Fisher knew. The fact of the matter is that
he knew that Ed Martin had undo influence over recruits coming to
Michigan. He did favors for Ed Martin such as getting him a
hotel room on the team floor at the Final Four and getting him
numerous free tickets to games. In the end Fisher was either
incredibly naive or purposely ignorant. Either way as Head Coach
he is responsible for the program. He needed to be fired and he
was.
Perry Watson
In my opinion, the biggest hypocrite in the state of Michigan.
Watson had long known that Ed Martin was trouble dating back to his
days as a high school coach in Detroit. Watson had even banned
Martin from his high school program. According to interviews
when Watson saw that Ed Martin was 'close' to players at Michigan he
was afraid to sound the alarm because he didn't want to alienate the
players. A real stand-up guy Perry Watson- I hope he rots at
Detroit-Mercy...
Chris Webber
Allegedly the biggest recipient of Ed Martin cash ($280K).
Smiling Chris Webber...The good kid from the good family who made good
in the NBA turns to be nothing more than a punk looking for an easy
payday. The kid who cried how he was being exploited by Michigan
when he played there. Chris had his rap down good. I've
heard three different versions of his whine told by different
reporters. "I can't even afford to eat at" >INSERT FAST
FOOD RESTAURANT< "but Michigan is making millions selling my #4
jersey." Not a Michigan Man just a punk...
What Michigan Should Do
Michigan should prosecute the players for damages. Make them pay
for violating their scholarship agreement. Punish them for lying
to their teammates and fans. Go after lost the revenue
(merchandise and ticket sales) resulting from the scandal.
Remove the players from the Michigan record books. Ban them from
campus.
Show the world that Michigan takes its reputation seriously and
will take action to punish those who put that reputation at risk.
It's a matter of honor.
Go Blue!
Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM- By Fans...For Fans
phil@umgoblue.com
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