Check, one, two
Twitter is a dangerous, dangerous beast.
I've discovered that myself, before, shooting from the lip a joke that was not well-received. Note to self: Never joke about a public official, a jelly donut and Winona Ryder.
To imagine a horde of 18-to-22 year olds on such an infernal device is simply terrifying.
The problem with immediate reaction is it is almost entirely emotional and lacking rationality. It's visceral, raw.
It's stupid.
And UCLA must find a way to deal with it.
The problem with the recent check flap is that it could've entirely been prevented by one rule: You tweet, you don't play. Simple as that.
College athletics are dictatorships. It comes from the head coach on down, and the problem with being a friendly player's coach is it can often backfire. When discipline is lacked, that doesn't just manifest itself in false starts and sporadic f-bombs.
Lack of discipline is a cancer, and it spreads, and it spreads quickly. It doesn't just have to be nipped in the bud, it has to be chopped off, head first.
The one thing that we know for sure with the check issue is that there was clearly a failure of communication. Maybe someone wielded power without the authority to do so. Maybe some feelings were hurt. Whatever. Who is to blame is not the question.
It was the immediate and thoughtless reaction to the situation that has UCLA embroiled in just another embarassing mess. Cooler heads, such as Jeff Locke, tried to appeal to reason. Teammates having to tweet at teammates to study the NCAA rule book? What is wrong with this picture?!
As recalled in that great HBO documentary on John Wooden, Bill Walton once walked into practice sporting a lion's mane that had the legendary UCLA coach up in arms. He handled it quite simply, explaining to Walton that while yes, there was no rule against long hair, Wooden was the one who dictated the starting lineup, and unless he high-tailed it to a barber, he would not play.
It is that simple.
It's a parent telling his young child, you tough that oven, and you're going to be burned. If a kid touches the oven and is burned, blame the kid.
In this case, UCLA would be wise to establish some authority over Twitter, for once, or the players will just keep burning themselves.
And then I'll have to write about it. And I'll probably jump to conclusions.
So a governor walks into a donut store with Winona Ryder...
I can't explain it but I have the sudden urge to yell GET TO THE CHOPPAAA
the 'instant communication generation' likes to speak (write) before it thinks. That often gets one into trouble.
Im sorry to say, but this team is full of undisciplined players who feel entitled. For god sakes have some pride and dignity wearing UCLA letters and don't drag the program's name thru the mud because you failed to meet your obligations. I'm sure if they went to the coaches to appeal this issue it would have been resolved.
This program clearly NEEDS someone like Mora Jr.
The players who tweeted should be ashamed!
And the Aholes at bruinsnation can go to hell as I've stopped reading their ridiculous trash altogether. Yeah BNer, take a hike.
Nobody's starving... don't these kids have swipes? Even during winter break, Puzzles is open, isn't it?!
So, what happens at the donut store?? Dont leave us hanging!
Hear hear, Jon! Well said.
You tweet, take a seat.
http://usctrojanfootballfan.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/mind-the-gap.jpg
Exactly. They definitely need a disciplinarian who's not afraid to be the "bad guy" and restore some order on this team. You don't practice hard you don't play. You don't play hard every down you don't play. You make stupid pennalties you don't play. You say/tweet stupid things you don't play.
Jon - Really great post. This is the reason why I think you're a great journalist to take over for Dohn. This sort of commentary is perfect for this generation of readers. Well-thoughtout & educated commentary is almost a requirement these days in the media... as long as it's separated from the fact-checked, balanced reporting.
if UCLA is gonna cut off anyone's food money, for crissakes, cut off Joshua Smith's!!!
and freaking Randall Carroll talking about how he skipped the volutary practice "so what's the promblem??" your attitude is the problem Mr First Team All-Time Underacheiver!!
hopefully when he gets here, Jim Mora is aaaaaall outta bubble gum, 'cause he has a lot of lazy booty to kick!!!
Starving? I was a student back in the 90's, and some nights I had to settle for cup o noodles and hot water. I'm not sure getting your ass whooped 50-0 deserves much better than that...
The lashings will continue until morale improves.
(Should I be disturbed that I can't decide between jelly doughnut and Winona Ryder?)
Randall Carroll is a mentally weak quitter with no heart.
Is he retarded? is he from LA? you mean to tell me he couldn't have ate at his mom's house?
he obviously hates coach Johnson because coach Johnson doesn't take his bitch-made attitude. MJ wouldn't play him at wr because he has no heart. clearly bad blood between these 2.
I hope Randall Carroll doesn't come back.
Which donut store? And is she still there? :P btw, if you are up in Glendora, Donut Man has legendary donuts in Spring/Summer --> fresh strawberry or peach. Try them if you haven't already... oh, and they are open 24 hours!
Now I know why the football program is so unsuccessful. Bunch of wieners that can't even complete their required workouts. I say leave the three behind and don't take them to the bowl game.
College athletic scholarships don't provide pocket money. Many of these young men don't have two nickles to rub together. Yes, they are better off than their peers because they have a full ride, but there's still something wrong with the system. Expenses associated with school are more than fees, books, room & board. I worked during the summer and saved up for spending money. Back in the day, many athletes had part-time and summer jobs. But those days are long gone. These young men have to practice nearly all year long. Most don't have the social skills that blog readers have, so we should cut them some slack. However, Jon's message is on the mark.
Anonymous 7:56 PM makes good sense. However, I believe the young men that tweeted their displeasure are the same ones who have had issues regarding discipline before. I trust Mora will set up an accepted code of behaviour immediately and hold everyone, players and staff, accountable to it.
@Anon 7:56
Don't have two nickles to rub together? Unlike the typical college student who takes money baths every night? Ah yes, I recall those magical college days when I could jump into a pool of money like Scrooge McDuck. Then I would laugh at those poor scholarship athletes who would have to huddle around like hobos, heating their humble meals over a trash can fire. Sometimes my friends would throw table scraps at them and watch them fight over the chance to gnaw the last bit of meat off an old chicken bone.
Just kidding, according to one source, UCLA student athletes get a room and board stipend upwards of $12,000 per semester. I have no problem with the students receiving these stipends but these kids are anything but starving. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/CFB-Explainer-How-do-scholarships-and-stipends-?urn=ncaaf-136534
Room and board stipends cover the cost of housing and a meal plan for those living on campus, and are computed to cover food and housing for off-campus living. Now, UCLA isn't on the semester system, and I can't imagine any school giving $24K for two semesters. Just doesn't compute, so please use only reliable sources. I don't know what the actual dollars are, but I do know some athletes run out of food money. These guys are eating just a bit more than the rest of the students. Probably 5 to 6,000 calories a day (that's what I ate back when, although while participating in a different varsity sport). They really are benefit rich and cash poor. That's why schools are considering the topic of money in addition to the scholarship. I believe they are all thankful for the opportunity, but it's a joke...the university is making big bucks off these guys, they should get a spending stipend in addition to scholarship.
You wonder why UCLA cannot recruit and why UCLA cannot hire a great coach? The Athletic Department's Administration should be completely fired along with the Big Donut Man. Clean house and bring in a new administration that handles player workout issues with suspensions and not petty acts.
enh637
Wow... "Puzzles". Awesome. Is that even still around? And I stayed around once during break (90s), they only keep a few dorm cafeterias open during break. I believe at the time it was Rieber, Griffin Commons (Sunset) and Dykstra.
Like I said for years: UCLA Football has a lot of bad, dumb, immature, unmotivated, non-driven, spoiled-brat players.
The average GPA at UCLA is 4+. The athletes are supposed to be intelligent. Football players are suppose to be more intelligent than players in other sports since the sport is so much more complicated and multiplayer-teamwork oriented, with thicker playbooks than for a sport like basketball.
The coaches need to discipline these players. They have to make them take responsibility for their actions. They aren't their friend.
Tweeting should be publicly and explicitly prohibited as conduct detrimental to the team by the coaches. The punishment is being suspended from play.
Rather than being petty about lunch money, the coaches should have balls to also suspend the players for not participating in work-outs - if the work-outs are mandatory.
No need to be petty. Slam the athlete to the floor when indicated.
I think Jim Mora is going to be the right coach for the UCLA football team. He is a no nonsense, take responsibility kind of guy. We need that kind of coach.
They lied to the kid about being a wide reciever, told him he was the greatest, made him the poster child for not going to usc and now they wonder why he feels entitled? The kid could have been a great corner but Rick wasted two years.
Jon, Seriously, what the joke man!