Obekpa Suspended

[jumbo_peanuts]

Is there any chance we could get the University board of trustees to re-evaluate Obekpa's suspension? Make the punishment fit the crime is all I'm asking. One instance of doing something that's legal in two states and DC should not eliminate 3 years of work. Do what Ohio St. has been doing for years and suspend him for the first few games next season.. Or sit him for the 1st half of game one. Does anyone on this board have contact where we could go over Monash's head and get this straightened out? How about and appeal process where the hearing wouldn't occur till late April, raise questing of tampering with the test, something, anything!

When SJU lost to DUKE in January at MSG I walked out of the garden demanding a re-match with Duke in the tournament with a healthy team. Which if SJU beats San Diego State in round one they will get their chance. However without Obekpa, Okafor will have a field day and Duke would crush SJU (who will likely lose in round one now). I understand having principles but SJU is not BYU, or Princeton suspend the kid for a team dinner and a couple games next year(like Ohio St does in football all the time during big games). Totally BS policy and stupid move by the kid who knew he was going to be drug tested.

Best part of this is Coach K played a known serial rapist for a year and a half but SJU sits a kid immediately for doing something legal in 2 states and DC.

Are you serious with this statement? I'm really hoping that this was all sarcastic. But either way, the bottom line is that he broke the law and should be punished. Yes, smoking weed is legal in 2 states, but guess what? He wasn't in either of those states. He smoked where it was illegal.

You want the University to get involved? How is that going to look: "Here at St Johns, we as a Catholic University care more about winning basketball games than we do following the law."

Appeal you say? What is our defense going to be? Someone forced him to do drugs? He thought it was just candy cigarettes?


You say that one instance should eliminate 3 years of hard work? Oh well, thats the way it is. It's called real life. Not to get too extreme here, but if someone drives home after drinking all night, wrecks, and kills someone...should they automatically be forgiven because it was just one instance?

Is it a shame that this happened? Absolutely. But life is all about choices, and as a young man, Obekpa made the choice to do drugs. Every other member of his team decided to not do drugs. Why couldn't he?

 

[jumbo_peanuts]

Chris has a history now of letting the team down in crucial spots. His situation is vastly different from D'lo.

As for reversing the suspension, the NCAA policy on the situation is that the school is obligated to enforce the policy that it has in pkace. The policy that the school has in place, written in black and white, is that there will be a 2 week suspension for a second positive test. I'm guessing this is his second positive test.

I'm just floored by the people who are saying that the school should have covered this up. I'm no Saint and I don't try to preach morality to anyone, but come on! Really? After all the crap that we spewed against Boeheim just last week?

Right on all counts. No do overs. Expect Obekpa to be gone btw.

No one advocated a cover up. If this is the NCAA policy it needs a change. This is equal to the Mets and yanks playing by their own rules on drug usage.

And what would you change their policy to? Drugs are cool and are allowed for athletes?

 

[OLV72]

Chris has a history now of letting the team down in crucial spots. His situation is vastly different from D'lo.

As for reversing the suspension, the NCAA policy on the situation is that the school is obligated to enforce the policy that it has in pkace. The policy that the school has in place, written in black and white, is that there will be a 2 week suspension for a second positive test. I'm guessing this is his second positive test.

I'm just floored by the people who are saying that the school should have covered this up. I'm no Saint and I don't try to preach morality to anyone, but come on! Really? After all the crap that we spewed against Boeheim just last week?

Right on all counts. No do overs. Expect Obekpa to be gone btw.

No one advocated a cover up. If this is the NCAA policy it needs a change. This is equal to the Mets and yanks playing by their own rules on drug usage.

Time to move on. & try to win a game. Doubt in our little universe we will be change agents re: NCAA policies. Btw, either here or on JJ, some guys did suggest what Simply Red implied.

I get it. We're not changing it, but why does this school punish themselves more than the rest? This can be said of the self imposed penalties too. This is a school thing.

Just needed to get it out there. I'm moving on to Friday night and to seeing a lot of new faces next season

 

[simplyred]

Chris has a history now of letting the team down in crucial spots. His situation is vastly different from D'lo.

As for reversing the suspension, the NCAA policy on the situation is that the school is obligated to enforce the policy that it has in pkace. The policy that the school has in place, written in black and white, is that there will be a 2 week suspension for a second positive test. I'm guessing this is his second positive test.

I'm just floored by the people who are saying that the school should have covered this up. I'm no Saint and I don't try to preach morality to anyone, but come on! Really? After all the crap that we spewed against Boeheim just last week?

Right on all counts. No do overs. Expect Obekpa to be gone btw.

No one advocated a cover up. If this is the NCAA policy it needs a change. This is equal to the Mets and yanks playing by their own rules on drug usage.

Time to move on. & try to win a game. Doubt in our little universe we will be change agents re: NCAA policies. Btw, either here or on JJ, some guys did suggest what Simply Red implied.

I get it. We're not changing it, but why does this school punish themselves more than the rest? This can be said of the self imposed penalties too. This is a school thing.

Just needed to get it out there. I'm moving on to Friday night and to seeing a lot of new faces next season

We're the good guys! Hold your head up.

 

[T6K0E6]

The irony is that we are playing a California school...

The entire SDST team could theoretically sit down and pass around a joint while laughing at the CO situation and that would be ok because they are in California and they all could have medical marijuana licenses.

 

[SJU85]

Marijuana is not allowed by the NCAA and it is one of the drugs they test for during the tournament regardless of the State your school plays in and wether or not it is legal in that State.

One of the things the Cuse got in trouble for was for violating their own drug policy by allowing players who failed drug test to continue to play.

Chris is not the first who has gotten caught (Willie Shaw being another and I believe it too was around BE or NCAA Tourny time).

The act and the blame falls solely on CO. He did the deed, got caught and has to do the time, letting his teammates and others down.

 

[OLV72]

Chris has a history now of letting the team down in crucial spots. His situation is vastly different from D'lo.

As for reversing the suspension, the NCAA policy on the situation is that the school is obligated to enforce the policy that it has in pkace. The policy that the school has in place, written in black and white, is that there will be a 2 week suspension for a second positive test. I'm guessing this is his second positive test.

I'm just floored by the people who are saying that the school should have covered this up. I'm no Saint and I don't try to preach morality to anyone, but come on! Really? After all the crap that we spewed against Boeheim just last week?

Right on all counts. No do overs. Expect Obekpa to be gone btw.

No one advocated a cover up. If this is the NCAA policy it needs a change. This is equal to the Mets and yanks playing by their own rules on drug usage.

And what would you change their policy to? Drugs are cool and are allowed for athletes?

I'm suggesting equal punishment for the same infraction across the membership schools. Is this so difficult for you to understand?

 

[Redmen07]

Is there any chance we could get the University board of trustees to re-evaluate Obekpa's suspension? Make the punishment fit the crime is all I'm asking. One instance of doing something that's legal in two states and DC should not eliminate 3 years of work. Do what Ohio St. has been doing for years and suspend him for the first few games next season.. Or sit him for the 1st half of game one. Does anyone on this board have contact where we could go over Monash's head and get this straightened out? How about and appeal process where the hearing wouldn't occur till late April, raise questing of tampering with the test, something, anything!

When SJU lost to DUKE in January at MSG I walked out of the garden demanding a re-match with Duke in the tournament with a healthy team. Which if SJU beats San Diego State in round one they will get their chance. However without Obekpa, Okafor will have a field day and Duke would crush SJU (who will likely lose in round one now). I understand having principles but SJU is not BYU, or Princeton suspend the kid for a team dinner and a couple games next year(like Ohio St does in football all the time during big games). Totally BS policy and stupid move by the kid who knew he was going to be drug tested.

Best part of this is Coach K played a known serial rapist for a year and a half but SJU sits a kid immediately for doing something legal in 2 states and DC.

Are you serious with this statement? I'm really hoping that this was all sarcastic. But either way, the bottom line is that he broke the law and should be punished. Yes, smoking weed is legal in 2 states, but guess what? He wasn't in either of those states. He smoked where it was illegal.

You want the University to get involved? How is that going to look: "Here at St Johns, we as a Catholic University care more about winning basketball games than we do following the law."

Appeal you say? What is our defense going to be? Someone forced him to do drugs? He thought it was just candy cigarettes?


You say that one instance should eliminate 3 years of hard work? Oh well, thats the way it is. It's called real life. Not to get too extreme here, but if someone drives home after drinking all night, wrecks, and kills someone...should they automatically be forgiven because it was just one instance?

Is it a shame that this happened? Absolutely. But life is all about choices, and as a young man, Obekpa made the choice to do drugs. Every other member of his team decided to not do drugs. Why couldn't he?

I'm not advocating that he get off free. He used illegal drugs and should be punished in a way that fits the crime. In my personal opinion I don't think a two week suspension for the NCAA is warranted. I understand that 1 mistake can ruin a life depending on how severe it is. I just don't think this was that severe. You don't give someone a year in jail for ruining a red light with nobody around. Just some common sense on making the punishment fit the crime is what I'm asking for. If it has to be a 2 week suspension fine.. Suspend him for 2 weeks starting in Nov.

IMO it should 1st half of 1st game or maybe 1 full game.

 

[boo haarvey]

While I recognize that this question is insane, being the true fan that I am, I will ask it anyway. Would Obekpa be eligible for the Elite 8 or Final 4? I've seen conflicting reports.

 

[Knight]

He was not suspended by NCAA

 

[Blitz]

Yes he is eligible. In my opinion if the team can get by Duke without him we won't need him.

 

[beast of the east]

Is it better to vacate a win than to never have won at all? Sounds so poetic.

They should have played Obekpa, and then been ineligible for the NCAAs for the next year or so. Doesn't seem like we'd be giving up much

 

[Red.Fans]

Is it better to vacate a win than to never have won at all? Sounds so poetic.

They should have played Obekpa, and then been ineligible for the NCAAs for the next year or so. Doesn't seem like we'd be giving up much

Moral relativism. You should be rooting for a Jesuit school.

 

[boo haarvey]

He was not suspended by NCAA

Let me rephrase the question as it was inelegantly worded. Would the two week suspension imposed by Saint John's end prior to a regional final game if SJU were to get that far?

 

[jc1305us]

Rooting for this program sometimes feels like s fool's errand. Only SJU would completely blow an opportunity to earn some great ink for the accomplishment of making the ncaa tourney this year, especially when basketball in NY is so bad.
That being said, I cannot for the life of me comprehend the absolute insane levels of selfishness and stupidity involved here. You gave your school a black eye, you let your teammates down, and you will be sitting home while they are playing on the biggest stage. All for what?! Because you couldn't not smoke weed. Unreal. I hope it was worth it.
As far as those who say that others have gotten away with it, there's other kids doing it etc. that's not the point. There are rules. One of them is, don't smoke weed. Seems pretty simple to me. Unfortunately for Obekpa, he will have to live with the consequences of his actions. Maybe next time he'll say no

 

[monte]

I'm not scanning through 32 pages, he got suspended for weed?

I'm not a Lavin apologist, but how is this his fault? If this is true, this bozo goes out and gets high before his (probable) only NCAA Tournament?? What the eff was/is he thinking?

Was the Pittsburgh strip club incident at least partly Jarvis' fault?

This is what it's come to? It's not Obekpa's fault? He smoked the weed. It was an instant gratification move on his part. I'm assuming there was no gun to his head and considering he's the only one suspended, he didn't puff it with anyone else on the team.

I wouldn't miss Lavin one bit, but blaming him for this is a mistake. CO made a stupid decision, one he'll have to live with the rest of his life.

I blame him more for the culture then for the actual act. There's been a pattern.

I don't even know what to say to this. Unless Lavin rolled it and shotgunned into his mouth or packed the bowl and said "smoke this ish or else," I'm not blaming him.

I'm sorry. People have to still be accountable for their own actions. I know society always needs a scapegoat, and God knows Lavin can be blamed for other things (or his inability to coach properly) but this is ALL Obekpa's fault.

He smoked (allegedly, I guess), he knew what was at stake, and he had his greatest game ahead of him and HE STILL DID IT. Not Lavin, OBEKPA did it. He cost himself and, probably, cost the entire team. Selfish. Point blank

Agree with everything you're saying other than to give Lavin a complete pass on this. When my kids-20 and 16 years old-do something stupid I blame them, but I also take partial blame as the parent. So maybe its just my perspective on things.

It's not only what he did, but when he did it. He gets caught doing this in June after school is over, it doesn't bother me so much. Even in April or May after the season is over. But now he has affected the outcome of their season, and that's not forgivable. If any of my kids at that age do something like that, I'm not to blame, and I certainly would hold them fully accountable - not their roommates, friends, teachers, or coaches. Put the blame where blame belongs, and you're a better parent. Take some of the blame, and you're giving them a crutch.

Beast I said pretty much the exact same thing about the timing of this in another post. FWIW while I take some of the blame when my kids screw up, I don't share that with them. If my kid(s) continually screw up then the way I see it I didn't do such a good job as parent. But as I mentioned before, maybe that's just me.

I've always said to my kids, half seriously, before you get in the car with someone who is under the influence or feel unsafe in any way, call me. No matter where I am I will come get you or make sure you are safe. On the other hand, I've told them if they ever get arrested, don't call me.

Monte, I understand what you are saying, but as parents we are only one part of our children's environment, and not responsible for their actions. You are responsible for teaching them right from wrong, for providing for them opportunities that perhaps we didn't have, and for disciplining them when they step out of line. If you are a poor example, as in do as I say but not as I do, then, yea are somewhat accountable when they do some of the things you do and it gets them in trouble. But at some point, you're not to blame. I have friends who have worked hard as parents, and have problem children - not their fault. On the other hand, almost all of my social activities revolve around my family. I rarely go to an SJU game without someone in my family, and that's the best part of it for me.

I realize you are talking your kids here so I am not being in any way flippant or disrespectful, I am commenting as a parent myself on real life not basketball.. You say you've told your kids not to call you if they get arrested but cops are people too and mistakes are made by all human beings. If your kids were arrested but are innocent of the charges wouldn't you want to be the one they turn to? Me, I feel differently, I agree almost entirely with your description of parenting in the last paragraph but I will be there for all members of my family regardless (11 brothers and sisters and countless nieces and nephews, etc.). Not saying either view is right or wrong at all; different strokes for different folks.

In no way, shape or form is this a knock on Beast, who I happen to know is a wonderful parent. But the only thing I might add is that it wouldn't matter if my kid was innocent or guilty, as pissed off at him/her as I'd be, I'd go get his/her ass out of jail. And then I'd rip him/her a new one. Actually from some of the biggest mistakes my kids have made, I've found the opportunity for some of my best teaching moments. Thankfully I haven't seen repeats of the same big mistakes twice, but there's never a shortage of new ones when it comes to teenagers But as you do, I do not tell anyone how to parent. There's no blueprint and no "one size fits all" method.

 

[TX Redman]

Rooting for this program sometimes feels like s fool's errand. Only SJU would completely blow an opportunity to earn some great ink for the accomplishment of making the ncaa tourney this year, especially when basketball in NY is so bad.
That being said, I cannot for the life of me comprehend the absolute insane levels of selfishness and stupidity involved here. You gave your school a black eye, you let your teammates down, and you will be sitting home while they are playing on the biggest stage. All for what?! Because you couldn't not smoke weed. Unreal. I hope it was worth it.
As far as those who say that others have gotten away with it, there's other kids doing it etc. that's not the point. There are rules. One of them is, don't smoke weed. Seems pretty simple to me. Unfortunately for Obekpa, he will have to live with the consequences of his actions. Maybe next time he'll say no

Are you Dr. Fun's cousin? I see a resemblance.

 

[redfan259999888]

While I recognize that this question is insane, being the true fan that I am, I will ask it anyway. Would Obekpa be eligible for the Elite 8 or Final 4? I've seen conflicting reports.

Well lets look at it, two weeks would be the 1st and 2nd rnd this week, sweet 16 and elite 8 next week. I'd assume he'd be eligible for the F4.

 

[beast of the east]

Is it better to vacate a win than to never have won at all? Sounds so poetic.

They should have played Obekpa, and then been ineligible for the NCAAs for the next year or so. Doesn't seem like we'd be giving up much

Moral relativism. You should be rooting for a Jesuit school.

Don't shoot too close to home..

Moral relativism is a great subject for discussion. Too bad you don't live in New York. That's a 3 pitcher discussion.

By the way, dropping the Atom bomb can be argues as moral relativism.

I was just kidding.

 

[beast of the east]

I'm not scanning through 32 pages, he got suspended for weed?

I'm not a Lavin apologist, but how is this his fault? If this is true, this bozo goes out and gets high before his (probable) only NCAA Tournament?? What the eff was/is he thinking?

Was the Pittsburgh strip club incident at least partly Jarvis' fault?

This is what it's come to? It's not Obekpa's fault? He smoked the weed. It was an instant gratification move on his part. I'm assuming there was no gun to his head and considering he's the only one suspended, he didn't puff it with anyone else on the team.

I wouldn't miss Lavin one bit, but blaming him for this is a mistake. CO made a stupid decision, one he'll have to live with the rest of his life.

I blame him more for the culture then for the actual act. There's been a pattern.

I don't even know what to say to this. Unless Lavin rolled it and shotgunned into his mouth or packed the bowl and said "smoke this ish or else," I'm not blaming him.

I'm sorry. People have to still be accountable for their own actions. I know society always needs a scapegoat, and God knows Lavin can be blamed for other things (or his inability to coach properly) but this is ALL Obekpa's fault.

He smoked (allegedly, I guess), he knew what was at stake, and he had his greatest game ahead of him and HE STILL DID IT. Not Lavin, OBEKPA did it. He cost himself and, probably, cost the entire team. Selfish. Point blank

Agree with everything you're saying other than to give Lavin a complete pass on this. When my kids-20 and 16 years old-do something stupid I blame them, but I also take partial blame as the parent. So maybe its just my perspective on things.

It's not only what he did, but when he did it. He gets caught doing this in June after school is over, it doesn't bother me so much. Even in April or May after the season is over. But now he has affected the outcome of their season, and that's not forgivable. If any of my kids at that age do something like that, I'm not to blame, and I certainly would hold them fully accountable - not their roommates, friends, teachers, or coaches. Put the blame where blame belongs, and you're a better parent. Take some of the blame, and you're giving them a crutch.

Beast I said pretty much the exact same thing about the timing of this in another post. FWIW while I take some of the blame when my kids screw up, I don't share that with them. If my kid(s) continually screw up then the way I see it I didn't do such a good job as parent. But as I mentioned before, maybe that's just me.

I've always said to my kids, half seriously, before you get in the car with someone who is under the influence or feel unsafe in any way, call me. No matter where I am I will come get you or make sure you are safe. On the other hand, I've told them if they ever get arrested, don't call me.

Monte, I understand what you are saying, but as parents we are only one part of our children's environment, and not responsible for their actions. You are responsible for teaching them right from wrong, for providing for them opportunities that perhaps we didn't have, and for disciplining them when they step out of line. If you are a poor example, as in do as I say but not as I do, then, yea are somewhat accountable when they do some of the things you do and it gets them in trouble. But at some point, you're not to blame. I have friends who have worked hard as parents, and have problem children - not their fault. On the other hand, almost all of my social activities revolve around my family. I rarely go to an SJU game without someone in my family, and that's the best part of it for me.

I realize you are talking your kids here so I am not being in any way flippant or disrespectful, I am commenting as a parent myself on real life not basketball.. You say you've told your kids not to call you if they get arrested but cops are people too and mistakes are made by all human beings. If your kids were arrested but are innocent of the charges wouldn't you want to be the one they turn to? Me, I feel differently, I agree almost entirely with your description of parenting in the last paragraph but I will be there for all members of my family regardless (11 brothers and sisters and countless nieces and nephews, etc.). Not saying either view is right or wrong at all; different strokes for different folks.

In no way, shape or form is this a knock on Beast, who I happen to know is a wonderful parent. But the only thing I might add is that it wouldn't matter if my kid was innocent or guilty, as pissed off at him/her as I'd be, I'd go get his/her ass out of jail. And then I'd rip him/her a new one. Actually from some of the biggest mistakes my kids have made, I've found the opportunity for some of my best teaching moments. Thankfully I haven't seen repeats of the same big mistakes twice, but there's never a shortage of new ones when it comes to teenagers But as you do, I do not tell anyone how to parent. There's no blueprint and no "one size fits all" method.

You are a great parent also Monte. I know this from our discussions.

Actually, and this is really good advice, from Xavier parents of one of my son's best friends, who are also criminal attorneys. If you get arrested, do not say even a word, except, I want my lawyer. - innocent, guilty, or otherwise. Speaking can never help