Thug U

[rexvol]

KNOXVILLE – Thug U.?

It’s a description I’ve heard more than once the last few years when referring to Tennessee’s football program.

Even for those who see everything through orange spectacles, they would have to agree that there has been some thuggish behavior on the Hill over the last few year.

But Thug U.? That’s going a bit far.

Childish U.? Immature U.? Just Plain Dumb U.? Screw The Police U.?

Now, that’s more like it, because a large chunk of off-the-field incidents involving the Vols the last few years have been senseless, often times alcohol-induced situations that could have been easily avoided if there was a genuine fear among the players that they were going to be suspended or even dismissed if they embarrassed the university.

One of the largest criticisms I can offer of Phillip Fulmer is that he gives too many players too many chances. Maybe that’s the father coming out in him. Maybe that’s the football coach who doesn’t want to lose key players coming out in him.

But every time another UT player gets arrested, I go back to a conversation I had with James Banks at his apartment the day after he was dismissed from the team after being given countless chances.

Banks sat there in bewilderment, looked at me and said, “I just never thought I’d get kicked off the team.”

Sure, Fulmer has sent some good players packing in the past, some players that were instantly scooped up by other top programs.

Onterrio Smith, Lynn McGruder, Montrell Jones and Brent Schaeffer all come to mind.

It should be noted, though, that some of those decisions went above Fulmer’s head and involved violation of the UT athletic department’s drug policy.

As an alumnus of the university (not to mention Antonio’s, Ivy’s, Gabby’s and the Roman Room), I’m not so naive to think that college students aren’t going to party and engage in things we all regret and most of us now deny. As Patrick Palmer, Pat Weis, Rusty Rathburn, Joey Elwood, Craig Wentz, Anthony Richardson, Russ Spivey and Mark Griffin can all attest, I did my time on the Cumberland Avenue strip.

So I think most rational people aren’t appalled when a few guys get arrested for disorderly conduct.

But when a few becomes 21 over nearly a three-year period, then it becomes downright embarrassing.

In doing the stand-up thing and facing the media earlier this week, Arian Foster came across as both sincere and candid, and yet, somewhat oblivious to the standard a college athlete is held to.

Nobody ever said it’s far, but athletes are held to a higher standard. They’re on a full ride and they’re representing their university – often times on national television – every time they step onto the field.

I think former UT President Joe Johnson said it best.

The athletic department is the front porch of your university. That’s what everybody sees when they’re driving by.

And like it or not, that’s not going to change anytime soon.

Chris Low

[utvol0427]

[allvol]

Let's count up similar incidents at South Carolina and Georgia over the same period of time. I guess because I live on the state line, we got to read the comparison of each prior to the 2005 season. Then Tennessee's got a little more highlighted due to the poor season. I'm not saying I like the numbers.... but people don't need to be naive enough to think that are not problems at every major university.

[OWB]

Thug U? Drop the "T" and let's hug it out..

[rexvol]

a hug is now considered sexual harrassment.....but wimp sanders and mike price say "GO FOR IT"

[Fine Vol]

I hate MIami......stupid stork mascott....and their dumb hurricane warning flags

[rexvol]

huh?

[Fine Vol]

Originally Posted by rexvol

huh?

The real thug U

[hohenfelsvol]

Originally Posted by finevol

The real thug U

That one just came out of left field.

[Fine Vol]

Originally Posted by hohenfelsvol

That one just came out of left field.

I saw thug u and got mad, its the wrong two cents

[volfanbill]

Originally Posted by finevol

I saw thug u and got mad, its the wrong two cents

enter hatvol... this could get entertaining

[hohenfelsvol]

Originally Posted by finevol

I saw thug u and got mad, its the wrong two cents

Better then no two cents at all.

[utvol0427]

[rexvol]

okieeee dokieeee

[hohenfelsvol]

That does read real wierd. Nevermind.