MSU AD Comment
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said he and Comley agree what the Spartans players did "were spontaneous, emotional actions carried out during a highly competitive game."
"But their actions were completely inappropriate and reflect poorly on our program," Hollis added.
Spontaneous? Maybe to some extent, but, uhh, somehow, I don't think so. Tropp had plenty of time to stop what he ended up doing.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:28 AM ^
I'm really stunned by the language coming from the MSU mouthpieces. It seems like they really don't give a shit, and that they are just saying what they think will help it blow over faster. Yikes.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:27 AM ^
email the sparty AD to voice your displeasure: [email protected].
January 27th, 2009 at 7:39 AM ^
Just show more class than they'd show us. We're Michigan.
January 27th, 2009 at 7:51 AM ^
"highly competitive game." Dumb.
January 27th, 2009 at 10:32 AM ^
This act didn't take place in front of the net in some sort of huge scuffle. This was done to a man by himself along the side boards. It was clearly a highly exaggerated retaliation to the clean check on open ice that was made moments before. Like a young kid who strikes back from being hit with a snowball by throwing a huge chunk of ice.
January 27th, 2009 at 10:35 AM ^
Would the punishments be the same if Kampfer was paralyzed?
No matter what the AD's answer to that question is he will have failed to fulfill his responsibility to his University.
January 27th, 2009 at 10:39 AM ^
No, but that's not an apt comparison.
If you hit someone with your car on purpose and they live, it's assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.
If you hit someone with your car and they die, it's murder.
Each of those crimes would warrant different penalties.
Kampfer wasn't paralyzed. It deserves a harsh punishment, but it would and should be harsher if it resulted in more severe damage.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:36 AM ^
Murder and Attempted Murder carry the same penalty. you kind of made the point I was trying to make for me only a little better.
The penalty for a crime is not based on the actual result of a crime, it's based on the expected or potential result of the crime.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:59 PM ^
In terms of Max Penalty (life in prison), both attempted murder and murder (2nd degree and up) carry the same penalty, but the judge/jury have the means to vary the sentence based on a variety of factors. So while attempted murder and murder may carry the same punishment in certain circumstances, there are circumstances where the punishment is not the same.
Note - I have only browsed the MCL, and the punishment guidelines might have changed. But there is stratification in punishment for many offenses, just like there should have been in this circumstance. Kampfer is fine, so suspension for the year makes sensse; if he was paralyzed and could never play again, I don't think a ban from the CCHA would be out of the question.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
and attempted murder. Both are very serious offenses but you can't get the death penalty for attempted murder and I think in most states you can't get life for an attempt. It really just depends on the elements of the crime - the result matters in murder vs. attempt because "causing the death of another" is an element in murder that is obviously not present in an attempt. Thus, the penalties differ.
Felony murder is another thing. For instance, if you are the getaway driver for a bank robbery and one of your co-conspirators accidentally kills a teller, everyone in the conspiracy, even the driver, can get prosecuted for the completed crime of murder based on a felony murder theory.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:03 AM ^
At the very least, these two guys must not be allowed to play against Michigan next year. It could get ugly, and I mean real ugly. If not with the players, then maybe the fans.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
correction: If not with the players, then it will with the fans. I think it'll be ugly with the fans whether those two goons are there or not.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:14 PM ^
If those guys play against Michigan next year I will fly back from Los Angeles just to see that game, and I will pay what ever I need to. There's no doubt it would be beyond ugly.
In fact, even if those two don't play, I'm pretty sure the next time MSU comes to Yost it will be an experience worth seeing.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
Yeah lets go burn up state.