Tater

October 7th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^

I am more concerned about the anecdote of David Brandon reportedly remarking "Fuck 'em" in reference to students who are pissed at the seating policy.  The entire NCAA business model is based on "student-athletes" being part of the student body.  

You can't publicise a business model as being, in a de facto sense, "all about the students," only to show utter arrobance, disdain and indifferrence to their opinions.

Bottom line: a person who represents any university should never say "fuck 'em" in reference to any group of students at a any event related to that university.  That alone should get him fired.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

Cali Wolverine

October 7th, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^

Because: (1) it probably isn't really a "respectful" letter, or (2) RDT - it doesn't exist (and now this story has blown up in the media). If the letter does exist why would WD have been privy to the response and not the original letter (written by his Aunt)? And since WD has been hounded a "bazillion" times and has yet to respond with a simple "I don't have it" (which is very unusual for someone that has accrued 24,000+ MGoBlog points in such a short period of time)...it leads me to believe that either (1) or (2) is probably true.

Joined: 01/13/2013

MGoPoints: 21755

Finance-PhD

October 7th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^

It was not his aunt. A guy sent him a DM on twitter saying he had it. WD just posted what he understood to be true from random internet guy. A mod asked if it was legit and WD just passed on the DM so the Mod to talk to that guy directly. That guy gave more info such as it was that guy's aunt and the email was from a year ago. WD was just the conduit. 

Seriously, I half read threads at best and I understand this story. 

Joined: 09/02/2012

MGoPoints: 1167

Cali Wolverine

October 7th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^

than many of us thought? Okay...so it was some guy's aunt that showed the guy her letter that contacted WD that posted it on this board. Got it...much clearer now. Since you half read these threads and are so astute at following this story...has WD said he has not seen or doesn't have the underlying letter? My reading comprehension skills are not as sharp as yours, so I probably missed that development too.

Joined: 01/13/2013

MGoPoints: 21755

ijohnb

October 7th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

say, I find his email to be very unlikely as a response to a "respectful" email being sent to him.  Not to call out WD but I think there may be more than meets the eye with this.  There would simply be no reason to respond in that fashion, or really respond at all if that was what he was going to say.  I would be interested in seeing what he was responding to and have really not formed much of an opinion because on this because nobody has seen all of the information.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

Blue-Chip

October 7th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^

I understand the doubt involved. If it's a real response to anything, it's inappropriate for someone in that position. The issue is knowing if it's legit. I am certainly in the camp that wants DB out, but I'm not sold on this particular issue.

Joined: 01/06/2010

MGoPoints: 9718

ijohnb

October 7th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^

think it is per se inappropriate.  He used no vulgarity, he wished no harm on anybody.  I could think of certain content being sent to him that would render the purported response appropriate.  But I just don't think he would respond.  I don't know, this one is something that does not pass the ever important "smell test" to me.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

mgolund

October 7th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

I, also, would like to see the email WD's aunt sent. Giving the benefit of the doubt to the guy, I find it hard to believe that he would respond in such a manner. Of course, it has happened before at the professional level (link: http://www.purplerow.com/2014/7/9/5884187/dick-monfort-is-grumpy). It's not like Brandon has exactly impressed with his customer relations.

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 5145

bluebyyou

October 7th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^

Until I see the actual response from an FOIA challenge or some other source, I remain a skeptic. To answer an email in that fashion could be a career ender and would be absolutely inconsistent wtih how a head of an athletic deparment would respond.

 

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 18566

mGrowOld

October 7th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^

That's exactly what I thought too.  That Brandon's response might actually be legit BUT it was not in response to a "respectful letter."  I should know.  I  sent three "respectful letters" to Brandon and got zilch for a response so my guess is that for somebody to get a "why dont you go fuck yourself?" email from Dave himself the original email had to be pretty rough.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212947

DrewGOBLUE

October 7th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^

Maybe Dave Brandon knows his time as AD is all but over and he just doesn't give two shits anymore. So in response to this alumna's email, DB didn't care to hide his true colors, thus exuding his condescending and egotistical persona.

Joined: 12/03/2011

MGoPoints: 2953

The Geek

October 7th, 2014 at 8:34 PM ^

that response is way to terse to be from DB. Just my opinion. 

If he wanted to be a jackass to someone, he could, and in a much more polite way. DB is educated, he ain't stupid.

Joined: 09/08/2009

MGoPoints: 24821

Wolverine Devotee

October 7th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^

Not sure what's more offensive. Saying that I would do something like that or that I go to EMU. Ace found out that the email was from December 2013 or earlier per his update in the thread. I was still the head sheep in Dave Brandon's herd at that time.

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 31528

turd ferguson

October 7th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^

I miss the time when this kind of shit didn't pass for something that could be published and disseminated.  He's writing a story based on an uncomfirmed user blog post and a claim that some guy dropped into the comments section of a Michigan Daily story.  Solid reporting there, guy.

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 26493

coldnjl

October 7th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^

I feel MgoBlog should come out with an official response to this...Their name is associated with this rumor. Is it true or not?

I mean they pull unsubstantiated rumor mongering when it comes to players and recruits. What the hell is so different about an AD. Regardless of how you feel about DB, he still is being the victim of a libel attack from this blog...and that is what it is until these claims are substantiated. 

Joined: 12/31/2009

MGoPoints: 13934

Yeoman

October 7th, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^

 

I've gotten so many independent reports of these kind of responses from this email address that I believe that this actually transpired, so it's worth leaving up. WD links to one of them; I've gotten two or three more over the past couple years.

 

How that differs from Gregg Henson's definition of "substantiate" I'm not entirely sure I understand. I suppose it's better because there's been no affirmative statement of truth, just of belief. From a legal standpoint that might be a critical distinction; whether it's sufficient distinction from an ethical standpoint is left as an exercise for the reader.

Joined: 06/08/2011

MGoPoints: 21390

GoWings2008

October 7th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^

this doesn't surprise me.  But for the sake of the Michigan brand (not Brandoning) and the reputation, I hope its false.  But I don't think it is.  DB is an ass.

Joined: 01/26/2011

MGoPoints: 69703