The Shawn Conway Issue
A newspaper profile of WR commit Shawn Conway mentions some trouble he got into recently:
“All my dreams came true when I got my scholarship,” he said. “I felt comfortable up there right away with the staff and the players, a lot of whom I already knew. It’s a natural fit. They make me feel at home and I’m excited for the chance to play in the Big Ten.”
Unfortunately, Conway encountered a setback in his journey. In April, he was suspended from school as a result of disciplinary reasons. He is trying to put that situation behind him and learn from his mistakes.
“I did something really, really stupid and I had to pay the price,” he said. “It should have never happened and I take responsibility for that it did. But I learned from the situation and now I’m past it and moving forward”
This won't be a surprise to people who keep their ear to the ground, as rumors about Conway's trouble have been flying around since late May, when the high school paper (of which there can only be one: it's called the Highlander) published an article about an anonymous student who'd been caught breaking into lockers on tape.
Internet buzz suggested that was Conway and a couple of independent sources confirmed it; now that Conway's been quoted saying he "did something really, really stupid" it's better to put two and two together instead of let that vague problem float out there to get Freeped. The stupid act is the one detailed in the Highlander. The article itself says that the secret being maintained by the principal (who cited the usual FERPA concerns) was of the open variety:
“I mean, when someone is involved in a disciplinary situation, then it really would be violating their privacy to discuss it at all,” Piper said. “Because they have been disciplined, they have a right to have that not made public around the school.” …
However, the secret is out.
Word of the suspension and the video tape quickly spread throughout the Seaholm hallways since the incident was captured on tape April 21.
The article goes on to describe a "tall African-American male" taking approximately 50 dollars from a locker… you get the point, and you draw a line from A to B. At this point it's common knowledge around Seaholm and since it's time to publicly acknowledge it in the Oakland Press it seems appropriate to disclose the nature of the offense since it's a two on the Richter scale.
As long as Conway stays on the straight and narrow this shouldn't impact his status with Michigan, and since he's had an improbably tough upbringing (parents divorced at four, mother sent to prison at ten, now the legal guardian of his coach) some sympathy is in order. Anything else and I imagine Conway will join the ranks of Kelly Baraka since a guy who can't keep it together for a year is not someone college coaches like to take chances on, but for now he's fine.
This has been a conflicted public service announcement.
newspaper. How is it inappropriate for Brian to mention it?
when evidently everyone at the school already seemed to know about it ("the article itself says that the secret being maintained... was of the open variety").
If it turned out the school administrators, coaches, teachers, or anyone else tried to give SC preferential treatment (i.e. lack of consequences) because he's a star athlete, that would be a story worth uncovering. There's nothing indicating this in Brian's post.
In any case, the disagreement is about what's posted on MGoBlog, not the Seaholm Highlander. If kids want to print scandals about their classmates, it's up to them. But this blog is one I come to for refuge from a TMZ world.
What the hell were you doing over in TMZ world? Let me recommend Jeopardy, a much better use of the 7:30-8:00pm time slot.
replaced "The Simpsons" in the 7-7:30 time slot here, thus making my token 3 miles on the treadmill 80% less fun daily.
I wish TMZ were just half an hour on one channel. To me, it's the whole gossip-obsessed world. I'd be happier in Jeopardy world.
"I'll take anal bum cover for $200, Alex."
I agree. I don't think it was appropriate of Brian to post the details regarding why he was suspended from school. The fact that he was is all we are entitled to know.
From what I can tell the newpaper article never described exactly what happened to warrant the suspension and I question Brian's justification for "outing" him beyond what was already mentioned.
It's not like Brian is exposing this kid apropos of nothing (which he wouldn't do). This story ran in a newspaper/mainstream outlet, and is therefore now newsworthy (or covering the news is newsworthy, at least).
The story's scope isn't centered on critical analysis of the msm; instead, it's using msm to cover an issue (that is subsequently referred to as a non-issue).
If the msm walks off a cliff, is it this e-blog's author duty to also walk off that cliff?
And this effects Michigan athletics and more specifically, Michigan football. Which is exactly why it is being covered.
Not even a question in my mind.
The Oakland Press including a complete sidenote in a relatively fluffy article doesn't affect Michigan or Michigan Football in any tangibly realistic way, especially given that the original story didn't disclose the nature of Conway's "crime."
How does disciplinary issues of a player who committed NOT effect Michigan?
Because it "affects" Michigan, if at all.
A better concieved question would be "how does the issue presented in this piece affect the University of Michigan?" In doing so, remember that Conway is not a University of Michigan student; was not subjected to any formal and/or legal discplinary action; is a minor; and his actions were not disclosed in the Oakland Press article (instead, this blog took the liberty of using ancillary "evidence" to proffer speculative narration of Conway's crime).
I would actually take a different tact. The fact that something affects Michigan football takes a serious backseat to basic rights such as the right to privacy and other legal protections extended to minors as well as considerations of common decency and honesty.
I have no right to know information about people (especially minors) that is not already in the public sphere, regardless of how critical that information might be to a football team that I like. And as far as being critical this particular information is nothing.
I think we need to keep some perspective but unfortunately recruiting is all about losing perspective.
Point taken. I agree there needs to be editorial discretion, but there is a line and I don't think its always clear which side. I also think you need to make a distinction between a "right to know something" and someone's "right to publish something". A "right to know" is not really in the conversation here, since the question is about whether something should or shouldn't be published.
No, that is not a better concieved question, unless you're trying to put something your way. Which, of course, you are.
If you want to live in a fantasy world where a commit who is "not a University of Michigan" student has no affect (thanks) on the program then okay, I can't really argue with that.
If you want to live in a fantasy world where issues such as academics and character issues have no affect on an incoming recruit's status, then okay, I can't really argue with that either.
But both of those ignore the reality of the situation. Incoming recruits affect Michigan football. Therefore, the academic and character issues of incoming recruits affect Michigan football.
Otherwise, I fully expect you to be blowing up every single Demar Dorsey article with how inappropriate it was to discuss that because he was not a Michigan student.
The other factors also go by this analysis. Academics is not always something people plaster over the internet, but it matters because recruits can get rejected based on academics (I think we're all quite aware). Poor academics more often than not, will not "subject [someone] to any formal and/or legal disciplinary action." Furthermore, your assertion is wrong. He WAS suspended. Being a minor might mean that the issue gets treated a little bit more lightly, but once again, this has an impact of Michigan football. At least a good portion of 2011 recruits are still minors I'd guess (and especially so when Michigan first targets them during their junior years) so that is when these things get discussed.
think most rational people acknowledge that recruiting and its surrounding aspects means you are going to be discussing these things. It's not always pretty, but its the reality of the situation. If you chose to ignore the realities of the situation, fine.
Hold on now, that first "affect" should be "effect,' but you're right the rest of the way.
Ha, I'll openly admit I'm horrible at the affect/effect. I'd welcome an explanation. :)
It doesn't always work this way, but generally, "effect" is the noun, "affect" is the verb.
What I tell my students goes along with that. A=action (verb). Therefore, affect = verb. I'll spare everyone from the exceptions. :)
As suggested below, it's super easy.
Affect is a verb
- "A affects B."
except when it's a noun
- "A holds positive affect toward B."
and effect is a noun
- "What is the effect of A on B?"
except when it's a verb
- "A effected a change in B."
Or, putting it all together:
- "A affected B by effecting a change in the effect of the affect of A toward B."
See? English be easy!
because I feel it could turn out to be another UM football recruit under RR that could go through the same public magnifying glass that Demar Dorsey endured. I understand there is a difference between the two, one was convicted and one was not....but I think the heart of the issue was character and traditional Michigan standards. I am interested in following this because he is considered to be a "sleeper" type recruit and if this "blows up" the same way it did for DD will he be able to make it to campus. Could he have done without the link to the Seaholm article...yes, but all articles referenced are public knowledge. I see this as a case where Brian is getting in front of a potential issue with the recruiting class.
Actually, neither were convicted. One was charged and the other was not....
Sounds like he did something stupid and is being punished. When I was in HS, I knew of a couple of kids at various Hses who were busted for similar "minor" crimes and most recovered and went off to college and were successes. In no way am I condoning his actions, but it sounds like he understands the gravity of this situation and will hopefully keep his nose clean. But I agree with Brian that if this becomes a pattern, UM might need to cut ties.
The problem with this kid is not that he was stealing, it's that he was caught stealing.
If Michigan graduates are going to be able to compete for jobs with the Ivy League educated crooks on Wall Street then we need to step up our recruiting expectations. We need criminal masterminds. Getting caught on tape cracking lockers is community college grade stuff. Definitely not Michigan quality.
I got caught stealing a bag of Munchos my junior year of HS and still got into Michigan. He'll be fine....
Leave guys like this to Misdeameanor State University. We're better than this. We're Michigan. Let the other schools have the criminals. He doesn't deserve a second chance any more than Little Brother's players did.
you're cool
Because I choose not to be a hypocrite? We spend months laughing at Little Brother for having players get into a fight, calling them felons and criminals, then we sign an actual thief, and we're all falling over ourselves to forgive him? That's too much for me to stomach. We're Michigan; we're better than that.
What makes you think it's your inalienable right to know about the internal disciplinary activities of Seaholm High School
Ditto to you for Michigan State, then. It disgusts me you're making me play devil's advocate for Little Brother. But I think Michigan Men are above hypocrisy like this. Let's hold people to the same standard no matter who they're scoring touchdowns for.
I like how you capitalized Michigan Men. Is that rank higher or lower than Admiral?
Also, Brian, I didn't receive my free high horse when I became a member here either. Is it too late to get that taken care of?
Hey, you have to wait in line buddy.
Should the university kick me out?
You mean there's this double standard being applied here?
You mean Shawn Conway isn't just a kid who caught a bad break (divorced parents--poor lil kid, that NEVER happens) and then stole some money, rather he is someone whom UM fans would jump up and down screaming like little girls if he was a Sparty or Buckeye?
Those that learn, stay.
Those that don't, are nicely asked to leave.
That was the longest article ever.
No because you are equating a petty theft to an unheralded beatdown that injured women as well as men.
...on MGoBlog. There was an MGoBoard thread on Conway's eligibility issues a few months back that linked to an Oakland Press article. In that article's comments section, a reader linked to the Seaholm paper's article on the locker room theft. That link was then discussed in the MGoBoard thread.
In the pantheon of transgressions, this one doesn't qualify as one that should prevent Conway from keeping his scholarship offer and I fully expect him to complete HS and enroll at Michigan. On the other hand, the place where he will get the most scrutiny on this is likely not in the open press or on a blog, but with his teammates. In the military, servicemembers caught stealing in a barracks or berthing space are reviled by their peers. Trust is required when people live in close proximity to each other and when that trust is lost, it's a major deal. There's a similar dynamic on sports teams regarding locker room thieves. If you can't trust your teammate, who the hell can you trust?
Conway will likely have an extra burden to carry within the team until he proves himself. I presume he's learned his lesson and will keep his nose clean from here on out, and over time this issue will fade. But it's not a non-issue.
I'm rooting for the kid to keep it on the straight and narrow and prove everyone right here who calls the incident a simple youthful indiscretion.
I would be surprised if it truly becomes a problem, since his crime occurred at another school at another time involving other people. If he gets some raised eyebrows or snarky comments from other guys on the team, he's just going to have to live with it.
This isn't some dark secret that the world only now knows about because Brian wrote about it. It's undoubtedly common knowledge already among the UM football players, and since it's already been written about in the HS paper, it's out there in the general world already.
While it's right and appropriate to not let this be a hindrance to Conway's future, I'm not going to shed any tears over whatever tribulations come his way because of it either, any more than I would for myself if I'd been caught doing any of the dumbass stuff I did when I was his age.
...complete agreement on this. I actually was going to mention your previous posts on this, but it slipped my mind. I thought they were the best takes of the thread.
...sympathetic and worried take at The Wolverine Blog.
I chanced to meet a former Michigan Baseball player while out and about.
What he said about RR holds true here as well. He said, "Michigan makes the man, not the other way around." I believe him, and so will wait and see.
Seems like Shawn would fit in up there better.
I have sympathy for Conway's family situation and all he has been through, but allowing kids to use difficult upbringings as excuses for anti-social behavior gives them the message that there aren't consequences for their actions because their lives have been hard. I taught at a public school in a very poor part of Louisiana for two years after college and, IME, the biggest problem with my kids wasn't that they were incapable of performing academically or socially, but that 1. no one expected them to perfom because 2. everyone felt sorry for everything they had gone through, so they just kept letting misbehavior slide, more to ameliorate the adult's guilt over further punishing someone who already had it so rough. In the end though that response only cheats one person: the underprivileged student who is never expected to live up to society's standards and thus is never even asked (let alone expected) to reach their full potential. The kid slowly begins to accept falling short of expectations (if there even are any) and blaming any shortcoming, not on a failure of will, but a result of their upbringing, nebulously defined racism or any other factor perceived as beyond the student's control.
I sincerely hope Shawn Conway gets booted off of our team. Not because I wish him any ill will (I don't and sincerely hope he succeeds), but because getting kicked off the Michigan football team may very well be the best thing that ever happened him; hopefully it becomes the moment he realized he had to take responsibility for his own actions, regardless of the fact that it is harder for him to do so than it is for the more privileged students he is surrounded by.
Coach Rodriguez should do the right thing, the hard thing, and then help Shawn find a suitable school to land at and start over, regardless of where that is.
Wow, man. He's paying consequences, who is letting him slide? What do you know of his acceptance of responsibility or lack thereof? I have advocated being tough on a kid before but only after he had been disciplined multiple times before and still didn't get it. Upon furhter reflection I now think I was wrong in that instance. You nor I have sufficient information to jump to such an extreme and final judgement, Rich Rodriguez and the administration of Seaholm High School, do. What makes you think your judgement is superior to theirs?
Yesterday I thought big gay heart was being overly dramatic, but after posts like this, he was right. We don't need to hear about stuff like this until it matters. This is a non-story.
Name one besides tacitly admitting that he broke into the property of another, stole from them and then confessed only when presented with incontrovertible video evidence.
And for the record I don't care what Coach Rodriguez does. It's his team, his players, his culture. If this turns out to be an isolated incident and Conway goes on to get his degree/contributes to society without further issues, no one will be happier than me.
Whatever decision RR makes, I'm behind it 100%, but I'm just pointing out that I think its the wrong one.
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