Time for Syracuse to say goodbye to Devendorf

2008-12-15T00:42:21-05:00

2008-12-11T13:34:42-05:00

2008-12-15T00:42:21-05:00

Hobokenite

Beverly Hills 634582

12 The other commenters said it better than I could. Lazy, lazy, lazy journalism. A cursory look past the headlines and this begins smelling a lot like the duke lacrosse case. "That Boeheim would even try to apologize on behalf of his player and dissuade a female student from taking action against him after being hit is bad enough." - If you read your own outdated link you'd know this wasn't the case. Boeheim never reached out to the girl. JT alone did, probably because he was trying to stop her nonsense from getting to this point. If you knew anything about student JRBs you'd know the only burden of proof is an immense one on the accused to prove his innocence. A single accusation with no corroborating witnesses or evidence is all it takes to ruin lives. 3654911

2008-12-15T00:39:33-05:00

Hobokenite

Beverly Hills 634582

11 The other commenters have said it better than I could. Lazy, lazy, lazy journalism. A cursory look beyond the headlines and this smells A LOT like the duke lacrosse case. "That Boeheim would even try to apologize on behalf of his player and dissuade a female student from taking action against him after being hit is bad enough" If you read your own outdated link you'd know this isn't the case. Boeheim never reached out to the girl. JT knew she was a psycho and was hoping to stop things from getting to this point. If you know the first thing about student JRBs you'd know there is ZERO burden of proof and that a single accusation from a crazed girl can ruin lives. 3654910

2008-12-12T22:56:50-05:00

Pokenchoke

New York 158585

10 Here's the thing; I am a Syracuse fanatic, born with Orange in my veins, and I will be the first to tell you that I have hated Devendorf on the court since the moment he touched his foot down in the Dome. He is crass, vulgar at inappropriate times, and at times is the exact opposite of what I consider to be an asset to any team. That being said, I find this article to be a bit out of line as far as objective journalism is concerned. I get it, this is an opinion piece geared to be edgy and... well... whatever else a dime-a-dozen blog is supposed to be, I guess. But if this is really the opinion that the author perceives to be the truth, then I can't help but consider the author obtuse. What I find interesting is the fact that the Syracuse Police Department, as well as the district attorney, found that absolutely nothing illegal transpired that evening. Not a thing. However, this judicial board found that something so heinous occurred as to cast a student out of their illustrious institution for an entire year?! Surely five STUDENTS are not more intuitive than the district attorney. Or the entire Syracuse Police Department. At least I would hope not. As far as Jim Boeheim's involvement, trying to tarnish his reputation is laughable. Anyone that has seen him speak more than two minutes can understand that his primary interest is the well being of the student-athletes he coaches. And should he feel that he needs to come to their aid (which has not happened to this degree in the past), there must be a credible reason. I guess the last thing I want to say is to gather some more up to date material. Your link is for information from last week. There's been plenty of more pertinent information that has come to light. Oh, and perhaps for your next blog you could sound off an a player who has committed an actual crime. Like a Jayhawk that enjoys shooting people with a gun. 3644021

2008-12-12T20:58:41-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/328/97/thumb/_15_1.bmp 3 VA

tbuc

Sterling 32997

9 Arash, After reading your article, it is clear that you don't know what happened that night. Kim told Syracuse University security one story, then drove four blocks down the road, call the cops and told the officer a different story. Devendorf, along with a few other teammates were leaving a frat party (which was serving alcohol to minor) when Kim (who has already consumed alcohol that night) drove through the crowd nearly hitting them. She then stopped and got out of her car, because she claimed she knew a few of the people in the crowd (not including Devo). As she got out of the car she began to yell racial slurs at Devendorf, who then "hit her in the lower jaw with a closed fist forcing her head to fly back" as he tried to get her out of this face. According to the officer there was know visual evidence of Devo striking her. As all 3 witnesses on Devo's behalf told the same story. As for the only witness she had, he said that the basketball player were no welcome at the party. He was a member of that frat. BTW... the President of that frat said the basketball player were welcome there (what do you no). The reason why she went to court was so "justice would be served." If she wanted justice to be served why didn't she turn herself in her underage drinking or driving under the influence. And also if she wanted justice to be served why didn't she call the cop while she was at the frat party that was serving drinks to minor?? 3643413

2008-12-12T13:49:22-05:00

Khomeini

Long Island City 633031

8 A garbage article written by a clearly uninformed author. Please, don't let facts, testimony or the unfinished proceedings get in the way of your slam piece. Afterall, rumor and conjecture make the best sources for lazy journalists, right? Sadly, you guys are a dime a dozen. I would hope readers knew not to expect journalistic integrity or objectivity from a guy whose resume cites esteemed publications XXL and King Magazine, or the acedemic gold standards of ASU and USC to his credit. But I also know guys like novanation94 will always find ways to drink the kool-aid regardless of how grossly inaccurate the "reporting" is, which I'm guessing helps to validate your inane ramblings. Maybe you could reduce such polarizing responses if you chose to write intelligently about the things you know best. Might I suggest: "How to Keep 10W-30 From Ruining A Pillow Case", pehaps "Styling & Fashion Tips From Growing Up Gotti", "Adults With MySpace & Facebook Pages", or possibly even "How to Walk Home Normal the Morning After". All subjects you seem to have a good firm grip on, good luck! 3637490

2008-12-12T12:30:18-05:00

bbeliever

Chester 632974

7 Arash, you should be fired for writing this rubbish. You are ready to hang this guy before he has been proven one way or the other. You are just as bad as the prosecutor and everyone else in the Duke LAX case. Those guys were hung before the truth was proven and their lives have been destroyed by it. Shame on you 3636037

2008-12-12T10:56:31-05:00

NovaNation94

No City 632918

6 Typical act by Boeheim... sadly, if you look at JB's history - he has let players play after doing a lot worse than this thug Devendorf. Shame, the Boeheim cares more about wins that the overal university rep. 3634019

2008-12-11T20:13:28-05:00

irishorange

Edgewater 632499

5 The board is full of people just like you Arash. I don't know where you come from, but you are innocent until proven guilty the last time I checked. Get your facts straight! How dare you write an article and try to make Boeheim look bad. The one word that comes to mind when I think about JB, is loyal. When you figure out the meaning of that word...then and only then do you have a right to discredit somebody that has done so much for not only college basketball, but for the entire city of Syracuse. I hope you don't get paid to write this garbage. 3628504

2008-12-11T18:08:47-05:00

Keep some clarity

Albany 632372

4 Hey sorry Arash, but you are clearly wrong on this one. Devendorf has NOT been proven guilty by the judicial board yet, (I thought experts were supposed to have their facts straight) so he is still innocent until proven guilty. He's got witnesses who attest to his side of the story. Boeheim hasn't done anything wrong, besides supporting one of his players. If we are going to do all this accusing, then let's accuse Ms. Smith for something. If shes trying to go to a frat party at 3 am on November 1st, (which is also the latter part of Halloween night) then why is she trying to drive anywhere? No sober person is looking to go to a frat house at 3 AM if they aren't intoxicated to at least some extent. 3627172

2008-12-11T17:44:04-05:00

JUAN MARTINEZ

No City 632353

3 HAS DEVENDORF ANY REAL POSIBILITY TO WIN THE APELATION? 3626883

<div class="photo_container image_right" style="width: 300px;"> <div class="photo"><img title="Eric Devendorf" src="http://www.si.com/2008_images/devendorf.jpg" alt="Eric Devendorf" width="300" height="400" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">Eric Devendorf, Getty Images</div> </div> <p>The decision should be clear cut and is as simple as right vs. wrong. But it appears Syracuse coach <strong>Jim Boeheim</strong> is more concerned about winning basketball games than doing the right thing.</p> <p>On Wednesday, Syracuse star guard <strong>Eric Devendorf</strong> was suspended indefinitely by the university for allegedly striking a female student in the face last month (Devendort was already on probation for harming another student in the spring). Devendorf is appealing the suspension and is eligible to play Saturday against Long Beach State and possibly the Orange's next two games while the Syracuse Appeals board reviews the appeal and renders a decision.<br /><br />All indications are that Boeheim will allow Devendorf to continue practicing with the team and play in as many games as he can before then.</p> <p>Boeheim shouldn't let it get to that point. He needs to send a message to Devendorf, his team and his university that he doesn't condone Devendorf's alleged actions. If there was any question that Devendorf did something wrong the night he allegedly struck Syracuse junior <strong>Kimberly Smith</strong> outside of a frat party (he maintains he was protecting himself), they were answered with <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf?/base/news-16/1228471100199430.xml&coll=1">three text messages </a>that Devendorf's teammate <strong>Justin Thomas</strong> sent to Smith on his behalf. Thomas, who knows Smith, not only apologized for his teammate but also sent her Boeheim's phone number so he could also speak with her.<br /><br />That Boeheim would even try to apologize on behalf of his player and dissuade a female student from taking action against him after being hit is bad enough. For Boeheim to continue to stand by that player and allow him to play after being found guilty by a panel of his peers is even worse.<br /><br />I wonder if Boeheim would take this stance if Devendorf had hit his wife or his daughter and not some random Syracuse junior. I wonder if Boeheim would be so adamant about playing Devendorf if he was a walk-on and not the third-leading scorer for the No. 13 Orange, averaging 14.1 points and 3.1 assists. <br /><br />There is a fine line between supporting your player in a time of need and disciplining them when they have obviously crossed the line. It is clear what Boeheim should do in this situation. Whether or not he will do it is another matter for a coach who now seems more concerned with what happens on the court than holding his players accountable for what they do off it.</p> http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/396/7/thumb/markazi_arash.jpg 118 CA

Arash Markazi

Los Angeles 3987 31401 <div class="photo_container image_right" style="width: 300px;"> <div class="photo"><img title="Eric Devendorf" src="http://www.si.com/2008_images/devendorf.jpg" alt="Eric Devendorf" width="300" height="400" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">Eric Devendorf, Getty Images</div> </div> <p>The decision should be clear cut and is as simple as right vs. wrong. But it appears Syracuse coach <strong>Jim Boeheim</strong> is more concerned about winning basketball games than doing the right thing.</p> <p>On Wednesday, Syracuse star guard <strong>Eric Devendorf</strong> was suspended indefinitely by the university for allegedly striking a female student in the face last month (Devendort was already on probation for harming another student in the spring). Devendorf is appealing the suspension and is eligible to play Saturday against Long Beach State and possibly the Orange's next two games while the Syracuse Appeals board reviews the appeal and renders a decision.<br /><br />All indications are that Boeheim will allow Devendorf to continue practicing with the team and play in as many games as he can before then.</p> <p>Boeheim shouldn't let it get to that point. He needs to send a message to Devendorf, his team and his university that he doesn't condone Devendorf's alleged actions. If there was any question that Devendorf did something wrong the night he allegedly struck Syracuse junior <strong>Kimberly Smith</strong> outside of a frat party (he maintains he was protecting himself), they were answered with <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf?/base/news-16/1228471100199430.xml&coll=1">three text messages </a>that Devendorf's teammate <strong>Justin Thomas</strong> sent to Smith on his behalf. Thomas, who knows Smith, not only apologized for his teammate but also sent her Boeheim's phone number so he could also speak with her.</p>