Rysheed Jordan Release

[quote="SJU14" post=365736]Escaping his current life isn’t exactly easy for Rysheed. Remember, his aunt was killed while he was at SJU, his mother died while he was in prison, I don’t believe his father is in the picture, and he’s the eldest of many siblings.[/quote]

Yeah lifes a bitch sometimes, but there any excuses in life.
You either you want the legitimate life, or you don't.
Lets see which one he picks.

I'll guarantee, if he picks thugs life then back to prison he'll go.
His choice
 
[quote="P Simmons" post=365431]Serious question: Can we offer him a scholarship even if he’s done time?
He is scary talented, one of the saddest stories we’ve had, but just imagine if it could be turned around with our help.[/quote]

I think there is a clock that starts ticking in terms of D1 eligibility of 5 seasons total.

Hopefully Rysheed will get an opportunity to.play basketball somewhere for pay. Way more importantly is that he gets serious about the direction of his life and desires to stay far from the trouble that landed him in jail.
 
Beast, as we have sometimes discussed, a lot of my work has involved teaching clinical staff about the co-occurrence and interaction of mental illness, substance use, and trauma disorders. At a distance Rysheed seems to be dealing with lots of trauma rooted stuff and that is not an easy road.
 
It's obviously harder when you are in that kind of environment to be a good role model and do things the right way, but part of my point is that by in large hip hop culture excuses extremely bad behavior. Delayed gratification, saving money, getting a good degree at a good school, a good career, etc. are not in any of the mainstream hip hop songs. The exact opposite is...spend $500 on a Gucci belt just to say you did. One of the guys who lived in the next dorm to me at Marist was on the basketball team. Nice guy from DC but told me about his tough upbringing. I remember him showing me his chain and said "This is $10k right here you want to wear it?". I was laughing and said sure...when I put it around my neck I clearly felt it was plastic. He wasn't joking when he said it was worth $10k but I didn't want to be a jerk and make a joke about it. The point of the story is that hip hop culture encourages wild materialism in inner-cities, so much so that kids growing up there listening to this music are willing to get fake jewelry and pretend it's real for perception. I'm honestly surprised this isn't on the national radar more with real discussions regarding adverse effects.

Sorry for the tangent...I just really want Rysheed to take the right path and you have to be careful not to make too many excuses. We all go through our trials and tribulations even if we aren't always outward about them. Sure, they may not be in the same amount, but if you really put your mind to it and hang around positive and mature people, you can overcome them.
 
[quote="fuchsia" post=365896]Beast, as we have sometimes discussed, a lot of my work has involved teaching clinical staff about the co-occurrence and interaction of mental illness, substance use, and trauma disorders. At a distance Rysheed seems to be dealing with lots of trauma rooted stuff and that is not an easy road.[/quote]

Fuchsia, I'm in alignment with your thoughts. Forgetting about all that. Imagine how a guy just out of jail with few life skills, no degree, no assets, and no job is confronted with making it in the world. Recidivism is high for a reason, even when devoid of the co-morbidities you speak about.
 
[quote="Tom H O'Toole" post=365737][quote="SJU14" post=365736]Escaping his current life isn’t exactly easy for Rysheed. Remember, his aunt was killed while he was at SJU, his mother died while he was in prison, I don’t believe his father is in the picture, and he’s the eldest of many siblings.[/quote]

Yeah lifes a bitch sometimes, but there any excuses in life.
You either you want the legitimate life, or you don't.
Lets see which one he picks.

I'll guarantee, if he picks thugs life then back to prison he'll go.
His choice[/quote]

It ain't that simple. If you own a business/company/anything, are you hiring someone like him who has been convicted of a felony and served time? It's not that easy to just pick up and start over again. I cannot imagine he has much, if anything, going for him under than he was good at basketball.
 
[quote="Chris7" post=366138][quote="Tom H O'Toole" post=365737][quote="SJU14" post=365736]Escaping his current life isn’t exactly easy for Rysheed. Remember, his aunt was killed while he was at SJU, his mother died while he was in prison, I don’t believe his father is in the picture, and he’s the eldest of many siblings.[/quote]

Yeah lifes a bitch sometimes, but there any excuses in life.
You either you want the legitimate life, or you don't.
Lets see which one he picks.

I'll guarantee, if he picks thugs life then back to prison he'll go.
His choice[/quote]

It ain't that simple. If you own a business/company/anything, are you hiring someone like him who has been convicted of a felony and served time? It's not that easy to just pick up and start over again. I cannot imagine he has much, if anything, going for him under than he was good at basketball.[/quote]

Because of his status as a former basketball star, and because of the contacts he's made within the basketball community, he will have many more opportunities available to him then the large majority of ex-cons. Let's hope he takes advantage of the opportunities.
 
[quote="Monte" post=366143][quote="Chris7" post=366138][quote="Tom H O'Toole" post=365737][quote="SJU14" post=365736]Escaping his current life isn’t exactly easy for Rysheed. Remember, his aunt was killed while he was at SJU, his mother died while he was in prison, I don’t believe his father is in the picture, and he’s the eldest of many siblings.[/quote]

Yeah lifes a bitch sometimes, but there any excuses in life.
You either you want the legitimate life, or you don't.
Lets see which one he picks.

I'll guarantee, if he picks thugs life then back to prison he'll go.
His choice[/quote]

It ain't that simple. If you own a business/company/anything, are you hiring someone like him who has been convicted of a felony and served time? It's not that easy to just pick up and start over again. I cannot imagine he has much, if anything, going for him under than he was good at basketball.[/quote]

Because of his status as a former basketball star, and because of the contacts he's made within the basketball community, he will have many more opportunities available to him then the large majority of ex-cons. Let's hope he takes advantage of the opportunities.[/quote]

Maybe, maybe not, Monte. Most teams will not hire a guy who just spent time in jail for robbing and shooting someone. There are far safer propositions than signing up Rysheed
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=366145][quote="Monte" post=366143][quote="Chris7" post=366138][quote="Tom H O'Toole" post=365737][quote="SJU14" post=365736]Escaping his current life isn’t exactly easy for Rysheed. Remember, his aunt was killed while he was at SJU, his mother died while he was in prison, I don’t believe his father is in the picture, and he’s the eldest of many siblings.[/quote]

Yeah lifes a bitch sometimes, but there any excuses in life.
You either you want the legitimate life, or you don't.
Lets see which one he picks.

I'll guarantee, if he picks thugs life then back to prison he'll go.
His choice[/quote]

It ain't that simple. If you own a business/company/anything, are you hiring someone like him who has been convicted of a felony and served time? It's not that easy to just pick up and start over again. I cannot imagine he has much, if anything, going for him under than he was good at basketball.[/quote]

Because of his status as a former basketball star, and because of the contacts he's made within the basketball community, he will have many more opportunities available to him then the large majority of ex-cons. Let's hope he takes advantage of the opportunities.[/quote]

Maybe, maybe not, Monte. Most teams will not hire a guy who just spent time in jail for robbing and shooting someone. There are far safer propositions than signing up Rysheed[/quote]

Actually Beast, wasn’t talking about as a pro basketball player. Was talking more about in other fields of work, and in comparison to others convicted of violent crimes.
 
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I have a question for everyone. Basketball may or may not be over for Rysheed, no one really knows. However, if he were to decide that he wanted to return to St. Johns and pursue a Degree in Human Service and Counseling, how would you feel.? Would anyone be adverse to the school offering him financial aid? Would anyone involved in Health Care offer him an Internship or Summer employment?
 
panther2 wrote: I have a question for everyone. Basketball may or may not be over for Rysheed, no one really knows. However, if he were to decide that he wanted to return to St. Johns and pursue a Degree in Human Service and Counseling, how would you feel.? Would anyone be adverse to the school offering him financial aid? Would anyone involved in Health Care offer him an Internship or Summer employment?

I'm not a SJ alum, but having said that, I think it would be great if Rysheed decided to return to SJU for a degree and don't see why he wouldn't be eligible for financial aid on the same basis as other students
 
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[quote="Chris7" post=366138][quote="Tom H O'Toole" post=365737][quote="SJU14" post=365736]Escaping his current life isn’t exactly easy for Rysheed. Remember, his aunt was killed while he was at SJU, his mother died while he was in prison, I don’t believe his father is in the picture, and he’s the eldest of many siblings.[/quote]

Yeah lifes a bitch sometimes, but there any excuses in life.
You either you want the legitimate life, or you don't.
Lets see which one he picks.

I'll guarantee, if he picks thugs life then back to prison he'll go.
His choice[/quote]

It ain't that simple. If you own a business/company/anything, are you hiring someone like him who has been convicted of a felony and served time? It's not that easy to just pick up and start over again. I cannot imagine he has much, if anything, going for him under than he was good at basketball.[/quote]

That's why the culture must be changed to value things like degrees and making it cool to aspire for other things other than hip hop or basketball. If I had a son who was good at basketball and had a shot at maybe going pro, I'd still make him get his degree. You can't put all your eggs in one basket. It starts at home...you have to keep the family together and teach good values while steering them away from known bad influences. It's tougher in some areas vs. others, but still doable.
 
[quote="panther2" post=366216]I have a question for everyone. Basketball may or may not be over for Rysheed, no one really knows. However, if he were to decide that he wanted to return to St. Johns and pursue a Degree in Human Service and Counseling, how would you feel.? Would anyone be adverse to the school offering him financial aid? Would anyone involved in Health Care offer him an Internship or Summer employment?[/quote]

Fantastic question on your part Panther. As opposed to looking in the narrow rear view mirror you are looking through the much wider front windshield.
I would be all in favour of Rysheed returning to SJU, provided he received the additional counselling/assistance required to ensure he had the necessary structure and support to succeed. It could be a fantastic story of redemption for both parties.
Those close to Father Rock may think of suggesting same.
 
What has Rysheed done to give anyone a reason to believe he belongs in a classroom?
Maybe he's meant to be a plumber, a carpenter or something else. He's 25 years old maybe some time in the workforce will help him mature.
 
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[quote="NCJohnnie" post=366220]panther2 wrote: I have a question for everyone. Basketball may or may not be over for Rysheed, no one really knows. However, if he were to decide that he wanted to return to St. Johns and pursue a Degree in Human Service and Counseling, how would you feel.? Would anyone be adverse to the school offering him financial aid? Would anyone involved in Health Care offer him an Internship or Summer employment?

I'm not a SJ alum, but having said that, I think it would be great if Rysheed decided to return to SJU for a degree and don't see why he wouldn't be eligible for financial aid on the same basis as other students[/quote]

I think that is a very slippery slope that as a university is probably best to not go down. I probably wouldn't oppose to him receiving financial aid or to earning a degree if he could do so online only, which means he wouldn't have to physically be on campus, but that's about it.

I am all about giving people second chances, and I wish Rysheed the best as he has a lot of life left in front of him, but you also have a lot of other students on campus you have to consider, and to knowingly let someone who was convicted of attempted murder on campus doesn't seem ideal.

If you had a classmate who has done time for attempted murder, wouldn't you like to know about it? Do other students have the right to know? What if a student claims he/she doesn't feel safe while in his presence (which isn't that outlandish of a scenario)? Should the university have to make accommodations?
 
[quote="panther2" post=366216]I have a question for everyone. Basketball may or may not be over for Rysheed, no one really knows. However, if he were to decide that he wanted to return to St. Johns and pursue a Degree in Human Service and Counseling, how would you feel.? Would anyone be adverse to the school offering him financial aid? Would anyone involved in Health Care offer him an Internship or Summer employment?[/quote]

Good question panther2

It's really hard to have a firm opinion on this with the paucity of information on his legal process that is in the public sphere. But having said that, I'd have no problems if the school extended him an opportunity to pursue a degree that would help turn his life around. If he qualifies for financial aid, then I'd have no issues with that either but I wouldn't give him preferential treatment on that front. I've always felt that if you offered a scholarship to an athlete, you should honor that opportunity to help with their education, regardless of how long they play for you. So long as they maintain the appropriate GPA, they should be allowed to pursue their degree at their own pace.
 
[quote="Knight" post=366226]What has Rysheed done to give anyone a reason to believe he belongs in a classroom?
Maybe he's meant to be a plumber, a carpenter or something else. He's 25 years old maybe some time in the workforce will help him mature.[/quote]

Could be. But what if he'd been taking classes in prison and could clearly demonstrate he wanted to get a degree?
 
I'd leave the decision to those who interview and evaluate him. But I would not give him preferential treatment because he once played for us.
 
[quote="panther2" post=366216]I have a question for everyone. Basketball may or may not be over for Rysheed, no one really knows. However, if he were to decide that he wanted to return to St. Johns and pursue a Degree in Human Service and Counseling, how would you feel.? Would anyone be adverse to the school offering him financial aid? Would anyone involved in Health Care offer him an Internship or Summer employment?[/quote]

As others have said Panther, Id like to know more about the circumstances surrounding the events, the victim, the plea deal, etc, before answer your question about allowing Rysheed to return to SJU right now. I’d need to feel confident that Rysheed was clearly no longer a danger to society before allowing him on campus. Him having done time does not, in and of Itself, show that he is no longer a threat to society. I would want to be as sure as sure can be that he would not pose a threat to other students and faculty. I’d also like to know about parole details, if there are any. Lots of questions. Maybe, in the interim, there’s a step down education program that he can get involved in and earn some credits. I’d have no problem with financial aid. As for summer internship, again I would need to know a lot more about the circumstances before answering the question.
 
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[quote="Knight" post=366241]I'd leave the decision to those who interview and evaluate him. But I would not give him preferential treatment because he once played for us.[/quote]

If preferential treatment saves him, and allows him to reach others with a positive message, I'm OK with a little preferential treatment.
 
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