Schlissel releases statement re: Shane

Submitted by wlubd on

EDIT: Updated with non-microscopic font. (H/T to Maize and Brew for getting it up)

As the leader of our university community, I want to express my extreme disappointment in the events surrounding the handling of an on-field injury to one of our football players, Shane Morris. The health and safety of our entire student community, including all of our student-athletes, is my most important responsibility as university president.

I have been in regular discussion regarding this incident and its aftermath with Athletic Director David Brandon and the Board of Regents. I support the immediate protocol changes that the department's initial assessment has identified. I have instructed the Athletic Department to provide me, the Board of Regents, and other campus leaders with a thorough review of our in-game player safety procedures, particularly those involving head injuries, and will involve experts from the University of Michigan Health System in assessing its medical aspects.

Despite having one of the finest levels of team medical expertise in the country, our system failed on Saturday. We did not get this right and for this I apologize to Shane, his family, his teammates, and the entire Michigan family. It is a critical lesson to us about how vigilant and disciplined we must always be to ensure student-athlete safety. As president, I will take all necessary steps to make sure that occurs and to enforce the necessary accountability for our success in this regard.

Our communications going forward will be direct, transparent and timely. The University of Michigan stands for the highest level of excellence in everything we do, on and off the field. That standard will guide my review of this situation and all the University's future actions.

My thanks go to the many members of the University community who have taken the time to express their thoughts.

 

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m1817

September 30th, 2014 at 5:48 PM ^

For those who don't have a magnifying glass.

“As the leader of our university community, I want to express my extreme disappointment in the events surrounding the handling of an on-field injury to one of our football players, Shane Morris. The health and safety of our entire student community, including all of our student-athletes, is my most important responsibility as university president.

I have been in regular discussion regarding this incident and its aftermath with Athletic Director David Brandon and the Board of Regents. I support the immediate protocol changes that the department’s initial assessment has identified. I have instructed the Athletic Department to provide me, the Board of Regents, and other campus leaders with a thorough review of our in-game player safety procedures, particularly those involving head injuries, and will involve experts from the University of Michigan Health System in assessing its medical aspects. 

Despite having one of the finest levels of team medical expertise in the country, our system failed on Saturday. We did not get this right and for this I apologize to Shane, his family, his teammates, and the entire Michigan family.  It is a critical lesson to us about how vigilant and disciplined we must always be to ensure student-athlete safety. As president, I will take all necessary steps to make sure that occurs and to enforce the necessary accountability for our success in this regard.

Our communications going forward will be direct, transparent and timely. The University of Michigan stands for the highest level of excellence in everything we do, on and off the field.  That standard will guide my review of this situation and all the University’s future actions. 

My thanks go to the many members of the University community who have taken the time to express their thoughts.”

Joined: 01/15/2011

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Blue2000

September 30th, 2014 at 5:50 PM ^

It does not sound like he's contemplating firing Brandon any time soon though.

I don't think it infers anything one way or the other.  Nor should it.  Apologizing to Shane and admitting that the Program screwed up were the first things that should have come out of Hoke's mouth (and certainly his first statement).  Hopefully the University boots both Hoke and Brandon, but I don't think it would be prudent for this statement to give any indication of that.  

Joined: 01/06/2009

MGoPoints: 7901

BlueinLansing

September 30th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^

is a pro.

Brandon an amateur.

 

Either way this is the first sweep of the broom to the rug by the University.  The weasel is going to keep his job.  Everybody can go home now.

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 23520

MileHighAnnArborite

September 30th, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^

Yup: "I have instructed the Athletic Director to provide . . . a thorough review of . . . ."  Brandon isn't going anywhere soon, and he's somehow still seen as the correct person to take on this mission.  :(

EDIT: my bad, it says Athletic Department, not Athletic Director -- could be a good sign, could be nothing, but definitely means I need better glasses to read this tiny message.

Joined: 04/07/2011

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Mr Miggle

September 30th, 2014 at 5:56 PM ^

for Brandon or Hoke and condemnation for the procedures they had in place. Schissel is addressing the most important issue first, that the school needs to do a better job of protecting its players. I notice that he's taking the responsibility for doing something that would generally be the AD's job.

I'm not seeing anything to suggest jobs are safe or that anything is getting swept under the rug. It takes a little longer to follow the proper procedures for dismissing people. I don't expect it to take long.

Joined: 10/07/2010

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Chuck Harbaugh

September 30th, 2014 at 6:32 PM ^

Our communications going forward will be direct, transparent and timely.

FU Hoke and Brandon and your damage control fails.  No more of that crap

 

The University of Michigan stands for the highest level of excellence in everything we do, on and off the field.  That standard will guide my review of this situation and all the University’s future actions. 

Missile lock on you two boneheads.  Just running it by the lawyers and accountants.

Expect DB to award himself the First Annual [Stephen Ross] Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence to allay the calls for his head on a pike.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 113

snarling wolverine

September 30th, 2014 at 6:33 PM ^

But he does mention being in "regular discussion" with Brandon and supports the new protocols that have been established.  This reads to me more as a "Don't screw up again" message to Brandon than one of dismissal.

Hoke on the other hand gets no mention in the statement, while his actions are strongly criticized.  It sounds like he's a goner.

 

 

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Mr Miggle

September 30th, 2014 at 7:03 PM ^

regarding Brandon. Another one is that this was Brandon's responsibilty, but he's had to step in and make sure it's done properly. Not exactly a vote of confidence. Since it was a top priority the option of waiting or bypassing Brandon wasn't viable.

[edit]  If Schlissel wanted to show public support for Brandon, I don't think we would need to read between the lines to find it.

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47530

wlubd

September 30th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^

I as well but I like the second last paragraph.

Maybe I'm reading too much in to it but saying UM stands for excellence in everything and that will guide him in reviewing the situation would have me tugging at my collar as Dave Brandon.

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 7188

Jon06

September 30th, 2014 at 5:46 PM ^

The thing about our communications going forward is also an extremely serious shot across Brandon's bow in a situation like this. Like I said below, I really, really hope this is real. That is a statement from somebody who knows how to run this place. And Brandon is as good as gone if indeed Schlissel released that.

Joined: 09/19/2009

MGoPoints: 15295

TIMMMAAY

September 30th, 2014 at 9:28 PM ^

This guy is 100% a professional in how he worded every bit of this. I guarantee right now, Brandon knows full well that he's toast. I think he goes before Hoke, but who really knows. 

Joined: 09/08/2008

MGoPoints: 56291

Bleedmaizeblue

September 30th, 2014 at 5:42 PM ^

Where in there does it say he's firing Brandon? It must be in even smaller print, bc that wouldn't be left out of a response to such a huge miscommunication across the athletic department, right?!


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pinkfloyd2000

September 30th, 2014 at 5:45 PM ^

That's the bottom line I take away from this.

Brandon and Hoke will still be the captains of our sinking ship in 2014, I'm afraid. I really hope I'm wrong about this. Someone tell me I'm wrong.

Joined: 01/27/2009

MGoPoints: 18471

TheDirtyD

September 30th, 2014 at 5:51 PM ^

Sadly the case is Mr. Morris didn't injure himself any more than if he sat on the metal pine. If Shane got hurt badly yeah the house of pain would be brought on. Hoke is going to stay the coach. I want him gone but nothing is going to change the regents minds. No petition, rally or blog is going to cause the Regents to fire an Athletic Director at the expense of 3 million dollars. The Regents care about money, just like Dave Brandon. If somehow this blog controlled huge donnations to the University than it would have a bigger say.

Makes me sad. To see something so dear to me be run like a publicly traded company. When it doesn't need to be this way.

I hope Brian does run for a Regent spot and keeps this blog up and running.

Joined: 07/18/2009

MGoPoints: 17916

True Blue Grit

September 30th, 2014 at 6:38 PM ^

has had many years building his power base within the University political and administrative ranks.  He is a former regent and fairly large donor among other things.  He relates best to his fellow rich elite like Stephen Ross.  I'd be surprised if the Regents have the guts to have him fired despite the obvious necessity to do so.  

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TIMMMAAY

September 30th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^

Some of you guys just really need a lesson in nuance and subtlety. Every bit of that was carefully crafted to not give any word of support, while pretty strongly condemning both Hoke and Brandon without naming them directly. He isn't a reactionary high school kid, he'll handle it with all due discretion which is as it should be. 

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