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BETWEEN THE TACKLES |
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Phil Callihan,
Editor-in-Chief |
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6/1/02-
Trying Times...
...These are the
times that try men's souls...
So what now? After years of evasion banned booster Ed Martin
will finally spill the beans regarding his involvement with the
Michigan basketball program.
With Friends Like These...
According to published reports, Ed Martin greeted reporters with a
hearty 'Go Blue' after pleading guilty. He seems to be pretty sure
that whatever information he has will save him from serving any time
in prison. What will he say? What proof does he have?
Only time will tell. Over the next several months he must meet
with officials from Michigan and answer any questions about his
involvement with Wolverine basketball players.
There are some among us who still cling to the misunderstanding that
since the Ed Martin was a 'friend' of the players before they came to
Michigan.
"...In general, the Association looks at the
motivation behind the benefit. If this person were not an athlete of
notoriety, would this benefit be coming their way? Our membership is
not concerned with gifts from people who have been family friends for
20 years. But the membership is concerned about protecting
student-athletes from people who are motivated by exploitation and
greed, people who befriend a student-athlete with the hope of getting
something monetarily out of the relationship..."
Bylaws 101 -NCAA
Real friends don't keep a tab. He admitted to loaning players a
huge amounts of cash and benefits. He has records to prove it.
If he doesn't he'll be going to jail for a long time.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The next couple of
months are going to be difficult. Wolverine fans will have to
grin and bear it. More importantly we need to insist that the
coaches and administrators put safeguards in place to make sure that
this doesn't happen again. And we need punish the guilty...That
means taking down some banners at Crisler Arena and disassociating
former coaches and players who were dirty. If we truly are the
Leaders and Best we need to prove it by setting an example of how to
own up to our mistakes.
Go Blue!
Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM- By Fans...For Fans
phil@umgoblue.com
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