"I graduated from UVA, it's not exactly a charm school".
Who said this line? Well if you're a major film nerd like me you'll know that Clarice Starling uttered that phrase in Jonathan Demme's Academy Award winning thriller "The Silence of The Lambs". But today, those words could have come from any number of recent UVA lacrosse grads. Yes it seems that the 2011 UVA Lacrosse Campaign has struck ice and is sinking fast.
When I published my picks for the 24sevenlax.com preseason poll I had UVA as my preseason #1 team. Lets face it, they returned several big-time offensive weapons, some talented young guns and one of the nation's best goalies. I picked them ahead of Syracuse for two more reasons. 1) Being from Baltimore, I must hate Syracuse (it says this on my birth certificate and driver's license) and 2) I envisioned the UVA players rallying from the tragic events that took place last year to bring home the National Title in the name of their fallen classmate. 'What a wonderful and inspiring story that would be' I thought. Unless you've been sleeping under a rock you are probably well aware of the horrific murder of UVA lacrosse player Yeardley Love and the subsequent arrest of UVA middie George Huguely. I mean, this was going to be the season that movies are made of right?
Right?
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| Does Blarney Lax need any middies? |
Wrong. The problems started quietly in the fall when top recruit and devil's spawn, Howie Long Jr. was placed on academic suspension and removed from the lacrosse team. Long made national headlines when he chose to play lacrosse instead of football like his old man. Then the first game of the season saw 3rd Team All-American goalkeeper Adam Ghitelman suspended for team policy violations. Game three against a nationally ranked Stony Brook squad saw the suspension of Rhamel and Shamel Bratton for the same reasons, team policy violations. And now Shamel Bratton has been suspended indefinitely after suspiciously not dressing for the game against Maryland in which the Cavaliers took a sizable a-whipping. Once again the suspension was for the same reason, team policy violations. I cant imagine what's in these team policies that makes it impossible for the senior class to stay out of trouble. We weren't allowed to drink on the bus ride to away games in junior college. That was the extent of our team policies. Oh and something about maintaining a certain grade point average and not murdering anyone. Those three seem fair enough. UVA's policies must rival Sharia law.
Look, I won't pretend for a second to know what these college lacrosse players must deal with or the pressures that they are under all season. But that's because I can't seem to catch a pass coming at me faster then 20 miles an hour and my Catonsville Community College credits won't transfer to UVA. So these kids are under a lot of pressure both academically and on the field, I get it. But these three are starters, All-Americans and seniors! Shamel Bratton was probably a
Tewaarton Trophy candidate. Sadly, not anymore.
In spite of all the tomfoolery at hand, Virginia is still ranked in the top ten, and at 7-3 are still in the hunt for an NCAA playoff bid. If Head Coach Dom Starsia can keep his first attack unit from knocking over a liquor store, they still have a legitimate shot to win it all. I don't think anyone named Steele is likely to break team policies do you?
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| Possible UVA Lax Team chaperons? |
So I'm not ready to count them out nor am I looking for 2 Live Crew to hang out on their sideline
a la "The U" anytime soon. However, they are certainly heading in the wrong direction and someone will have to take a leadership role on and off the field to get this team back on track. But then again, maybe a few verses of "My Seven Bizzos"
is just what they need.
Fer shizzle my nizzle, um .. er ..what are the circumstances that kept Shamel from participating in the UMD beat down? Inquiring minds want to know. And if not, my pea sized gossip mongering mind would like to have a hint. Maybe they have been partying with Crystal Mangum at the behest of Mike Nifong, who is trying to ressurect a shattered career before attempting ritual suicide? Mmmmmm love the dirt!!!!
ReplyDeleteI heard he was suspended for drinking 48 hours prior to the game the first time around. Not sure about the 2nd time.
ReplyDeleteYes, the 48 hour rule is what I am hearing as well. I hope they aren't partying with Crystal Mangum since she stabbed someone this morning.
ReplyDeleteInside Lacrosse is now saying that Shamel is practicing with the team again and his status for this week's game will be dependent upon how he practices. They go on to quote Starsia as saying, "There's a whole lot that goes into it. There was not one specific incident that led to the suspension." He might as well have called him a prima donna in my book.
ReplyDeleteI suppose my next blog should be about how Dom Starsia doesn't have any balls. Any senior that gets suspended twice in the same season should be cut.
ReplyDeleteHowie Long is devil's spawn. That young man is disrespectful and refers to himself as the "prince of Charlottesville." He belongs at a Division III program. He's a physical player who has little skill. I'm glad he's gone. He's also dumb as rocks. Check him out now. He's gained like 40 pounds and should be called "Fatty Long." Not to mention, he supposedly has a no contact policy on his record against another female student. This kid never belonged at UVa. Dom needs to get kids that can behave on the roster.
ReplyDeleteCan I simply just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what they are discussing on the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people have to look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular since you most certainly have the gift.
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