RRod - Boys to Michigan Men
Today I was told about a class in which students from the Starr Commonwealth (http://www.starr.org/) visited. For those who don't know, Starr is a boarding school for at-risk teens who have been arrested, or violated their parole, for various offenses such as breaking and entering, assault, but most are in for petty drug possession, or dealing. A vast majority of these students are from inner-city Detroit. Now, this program is a real eye-opener after hearing the student talk about the kids who visited, and how they were not un-human (like the common perception is), but actually almost all of them are just "lost." The class they visited had a good number of football players in it, and to my surprise, the football players were described as the most vocal and challenging towards the Starr students. The players were Denard, Vincent Smith, Brandon Herron, Roy Roundtree, Isaiah Bell, Richard Ash, Devin Gardener, and Fitz Toussaint. These players not only relayed their life stories story to the Starr students, but how they came from almost identical circumstances like the students from Starr. The difference was they avoided the gangs, drugs, and bad decisions the students from Starr fell into. This is where I credit RRod with one of his greatest aspects: the willingness to take a chance on someone.
If you knew where Vincent Smith, Denard, or any other of the football players listed above came from, and didn't know they what their star rating was, most of you would run like hell, clumping them in with the stereotypical gang-banger image that has corrupted their community. The difference is that you see them as a running back, quarterback, etc. and welcome them with open arms. This could not of happened without RRod taking a chance on these kids. Not all have worked out (i.e. Austin White), but I'd bet my life on it that them coming to Umich and blooming under RRod has changed their life for the better in ways beyond football. RRod did not treat these kids as "athlete-students" or just another player, he treats them like a father treats his son. His players respect him, love him, and see him as a role model that so many of his players lacked when they were growing up. Eventually as his players graduate, have real jobs and families of their own, they will use what they learned from RRod, and serve as role models back in their hometown, which is a vital piece to breaking the vicious cycle that thrives in too many communities today. These men will have a greater and more important effect on the lives children who idolize them, and their communities, than what they ever could do on the football field. Because all in all football is a GAME, too many people act like its life-or-death and its really just sad. I don't want a coach who puts up 12-0 seasons and doesn't give two shits about his players. I want a coach who outputs Michigan Men who are successful both on and off the field.
RRod has had some bumps in his path, but it takes a special person to recruit boys and output men that symbolize what a Michigan Man embodies. The wins will come. We have improved every year, and soon we will reach our former dominance on the football field. RRod is the right coach for Michigan, and I have no doubt he will one day be crowned a true Michigan Man.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:41 PM ^
Oh please, dear? For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
Didn't think so
December 9th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
Dude, what is your fucking deal?
December 9th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
Dude, what is your fucking deal?Today was my birfday and all I got was diack and nuts.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
What's YOUR deal?
December 9th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
If you are so concerned with people posting multiple times in threads, take a look around. There are probably 10 other guys who post just as much as he does. I think you are trying to pick a fight.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
aka he's being rude for absolutely zero value. he refuses to explain how FormerWolv is wrong. why not call that out?
December 9th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^
you do that in every thread. You're as badt as Magnus, you don't e-gree with someone and you post 20 times making sure that everyone knows your point.
But you can do whatever you want, I was just curious.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^
He has to let everyone know about his epeen, got to keep it strong man
December 9th, 2010 at 2:14 PM ^
to responses to my comment (aka replies). in this case i thought it was just stupid to make the claim that Elno did. that's all. i will keep it in mind (seriously) to try to not make MGoBlog my own Dear Diary on issues, though. i'm not being sarcastic.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^
Dude, what the fuck is your deal?
December 9th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^
DAMN YOU MAD MAGISH.
Like how freaky is it we even used the same pic?
December 9th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
You can't have one pathetic lurker without the other.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
What?
December 9th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
I don't have any idea wut you're talking about dude?
I cop to being pathetic but where is it that I lurk? I've got more mgopoints that you--almost twice as many.
MY MGOPOINTS PWN YUR BONEZ.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
Was there a coherent thought in there somewhere?
December 9th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^
Ugh...you missed it, his point man
Herp Derp
December 9th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
December 9th, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^
Starr Commonwealth: Boarding School for Troubled Teens
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=what+is+starr+commonwealth&aq=f&aqi=&aql=f&oq=&gs_rfai=
What are you saying, that it's secretly a training and recruitment center for the Foot Clan?
December 9th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
I beleive these men would like to have a word with you.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
I was wondering a while ago your thoughts on the whole Coaching "situation" and whatever that is going on at Michigan right now. I know that you're a former player, and I know that you'd like to remain somewhat anonymous. I really appreciated your pre-season insight to the program.
That said... what do you think about Rich in general? I know many posters above have said, rightfully so, that Michigan wants not only great personal development, but also wins.
I'm in the 2011-contend-for-the-big-ten-title-or-bust crowd (Want RR to stay), but I was wondering your overall opinion on it. With Jay Feeley, and other former players being so vocal (on twitter) about the need for a change during the OSU game, I was wondering your opinion.
Thanks again for your insight
December 9th, 2010 at 1:27 PM ^
He's not a former football player.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
my mistake. I remember his insights from preseason/spring game, and I thought he had mentioned that he was a former player. Just well connected with the program then?
December 9th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
Former player, different sport.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
There has to be a new DC no doubt. I've heard too many times that Robinson isn't the most exciting guy to play for, so he must go.
If he gets another year (I think he will), as long as RRod can show improvement, especially in big ten play, over this year, I believe he'll stay. Yea, he hasn't performed miracles, but he has improved the W-L every year. It was tough getting his guys here, but they are finally starting to blossom into what he wants the team to be.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
I appreciate it
December 9th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
Geaux Blue
Do you know wut Public Act 150 is?
didn't mean to hurt your boyfriend's feelings, dude.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^
Why don't you just come out and type whatever it is you are fucking blathering about?
December 9th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^
Because he's trying keep a veil of anonymity over his relationship with Starr, and rile y'all up.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
Trolling
December 9th, 2010 at 2:05 PM ^
which is an act funding and providing for youth rehabilitation and how it is funded. basically the kids become the ward of the state in an effort to focus their attentions away from distractions like gangs, etc. this happens often as a last resort due to a series of problems or crimes the teens have been involved in. residents are often discharged when they are of legal age.
the problem is he provides absolutely zero information on what he takes issue with in FormerWolv's characterization.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^
don't think so.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^
Thank you very much for posting this. I'm just speaking for myself, but this month long waiting period has provided me time to take the emotion of the w/l record out of the equation and be able to see this whole situation clearly.
This culture being formed by RR will undoubtedly translate into success on the field. The building of a strong foundation does take more time than the sand castle in E. Lansng. I can be patient. And it's information that the OP gave that confirms these observations.
Dave Brandon is a calculating man that I believe gave us this month to just chill a bit and look at the whole picture. That's what he's doing.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
I got in some trouble over a hot dog stand. I was sent to Starr Commonwealth and some staff there boogered me.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
What's it like to get boogered?
December 9th, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^
can we make fun if disabled people next?
c'mon, reach for the bottom, i think you can make it
December 9th, 2010 at 1:59 PM ^
at Starr Commonwealth we wouldn't be OSU's biatch every year.
that is the point right? take the criminally insane and turn them into MICHIGAN MEN!
getting boogered? after a while you hardly notice.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
doesn't always mean crazy. it means that parents release parental rights to the state so that the state is the guardian and can dictate how their lives are managed 24-7. i have a feeling you really don't know what you're talking about here...
December 9th, 2010 at 2:09 PM ^
I wouldn't make that argument without more information, personally.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
because the one FormerWolv is talking about is explicitly a "scared straight/role models" one where troubled youths meet players or individuals who have had similar circumstances surrounding their lives attempt to teach/mentor said troubled youths from making more mistakes.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
The one about what the man with the chimp avatar knows or doesn't about Starr Commonwealth.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^
he states that to recruit Starr would be to "take the criminally insane"...
that's not the case.
December 9th, 2010 at 2:54 PM ^
A fair percentage of the incarcerated of any age in any state have untreated/undertreated mental health issues.
Not to make sense of elno's screeds, because he'd certainly hate that, I think he's taking exception to a somewhat romanticized portrayal of the residents of Starr Community.
I doubt he's taking a jab at this coaching staff or the players.
December 9th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
do not equate to criminally insane. Not even close really.
December 9th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
Elno is filled with hyperbole, but there is generally a grain of what he is trying to say under there. That was my interpretation.