Anthony Turner, Ryan Patrick Arrested

[Touchdown Rockets]

Let's not immediatly lump the BG program in with Toledo over this single incident. Ken Burns could do a 8-part documentary on the discipline issues surrounding UT, including a lot more than smoking weed in a parking lot or violating the fireworks statutes. They worked long and hard to earn their anti-social stripes and it'll take more than this to reach their standard. This is like Utah considering themselves an annual Top 10 team after their 2005 Fiesta Bowl victory.

You've got to be kidding, right? I'm definitely not here to return your stones, but I don't think that either program has had "single incidents", except at snapshots in time. If any good would come out of this for Rocket fans, it would be that we wouldn't hear about our program for things like this, but if history (or your post) is any indication, that won't be the case. Now that I'm thinking about it, there are always bombs lobbed at Amstutz for not being a strict enough disciplinarian, but when Rodney Gamby got caught selling oxycontin, he was removed from the team.

Now, having said that, I look at it this way. What would his punishment be if he were a member of the band or another organization? I doubt his punishment would be too severe. I know that the football players are a more visible representative of the school than is the band, especially the QB, but other than being embarrassing for you guys, I don't think it's a big deal. After all, he is a college kid.

Besides all that, you have to put it into perspective. What is there to do with your free time in BG? If you guys had to live in BG, wouldn't you guys be hitting the chronic too? ...oh, wait. J/K

On a lighter note, maybe our time would be better used for coming up with a future nickname for him.

[Peregrinner]

I know this has been discussed quite a bit already, but I've been pretty busy today and I thought I'd throw in my opinion, no matter how worthless it is.
Personally, "young and stupid" or not, I think they should be swiftly punished and it should be an example to the team and the community. I'm not saying they should be expelled and shot or anything, but the punishment should be severe enough to be a big deterrent to anyone else on the team.
I know people are saying it's just a mistake and they should be forgiven, but just because it's a mistake doesn't mean it's a get out of jail free card (figuratively speaking).
So far, I'd have to say the suggestion of some intense extra work in practice and at least a game suspension would fit. Had it been trafficking or a significantly larger amount, I'd have a different opinion.
As far as my personal reaction, I'm extremely disappointed. I know kids who would do anything for the chance to have a scholarship and have the kind of potential future these kids had laid out for them... and they go and do something like this? On top of that, I don't like the way this could potentially reflect on the university. Above anything else, I think that's what the punishment will determine. A statement needs to be made, as an example to the players, the community, and the court of public opinion.

[San Diego Falcon]

I've been strong on the "come down hard" side, so I'll try to find some common ground with the other side of the discussion. We all agree this is a bad mistake and that discipline needs to be administered. We all want Anthony Turner to be a successful player for BGSU and develop into a fine man. Turner will likely learn from this and grow, regardless if the punishment is a slap on the wrist or more severe.

I'm more concerned about the message that is sent to the rest of the players, both current and future. I think a slap on the wrist greatly increases the chances we'll see this type of behavior in the future from other players. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I think most of us agree that a one game suspension + practice punishment (running, beatings, public humilitation) would be appropriate. The defenders, for lack of a better word, of the 2 men I think are speaking to the vocal minority. Of course they shouldn't be kicked off the team. But having no public penalty i.e. some kind of suspension would be an embarassment to the University and everyone associated with it IMO.

[BGSUCop]

All I can say is disappointment...................

[ZuluWarrior]

This is completely inexcusable. UM tells the story of how he called Holtz when some players were caught with pot before his first season and how disappointed he was. A strong message needs to be sent by Brandon, I'm talking yearlong suspension at a minimum. Kicked off the team would be fine with me too.
We can't go back to the days near the end of the Blackney era.

[Flipper]

Which brings up an interesting question bubbling beneath the surface....how much of their rights to privacy do student athletes surrender when they accept a scholarship and become representatives of the University"

I don't have a problem with the athletic department and the University keeping the details of their punishment private. My rightous moral indignation and curiosity is not reason enough to violate someone's right to privacy

[BGSUVA]

I hope he is suspended for Wisconsin...suspending him for spring ball isn't anything, he's won't have to miss a game, and he doesnt have to practice...the whole "handled internally" thing is a sham...making them run a lot and do a lot of updowns, etc, is worthless. You have to set an example. I don't have a problem with college kids smoking marijuana, it does less harm than drinking, but if oyu know you aren't supposed to, then you shouldn't do it on an oncampus parking lot, you gotta go to someones apartment...that is the big mistake they made.

[ZiggyZoomba]

BG SBall Fan:
THANK YOU! Finally someone can see that anthony and ryan arent criminals they simply messed up and are learning from it. Bottom line. There is nothing more to dicuss about the siutation. It is over.

I hate to split hairs... but if they committed a crime, they ARE criminals, aren't they??

[transfer2BGSU]

Which brings up an interesting question bubbling beneath the surface....how much of their rights to privacy do student athletes surrender when they accept a scholarship and become representatives of the University"

I don't have a problem with the athletic department and the University keeping the details of their punishment private.

It's called FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (you may have heard some people call it the Buckly Amendment).

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

There are so many different parts of this federal reg that are complicted to understand. But when the college says it cannot release information surrounding the punishment (or non-punishment) of a student, they are following the law.

Many times when the sanction is published by the media, the student has waived his/her FERPA rights. So you may not know what the coach does until something becomes apparent on the field (i.e. does not start, does not play). But many of you that want to know what Brandon is going to do must understand that Brandon can't say anything publicly unless the players waive their FERPA rights.

[bgmaggot00]

Now, having said that, I look at it this way. What would his punishment be if he were a member of the band or another organization? I doubt his punishment would be too severe.

Another member of the board here, Falcons4Life, was in the Falcon Marching Band with me, and on the trip to the Motor City Bowl he jumped into the hotel pool after the game, while he was still in his uniform. Following this incident, he was kicked out of the FMB, a band fraternity that he was a member of, and forbidden to join any other groups in the College of Musical Arts.

Just some food for thought...

[dduncan]

Another member of the board here, Falcons4Life, was in the Falcon Marching Band with me, and on the trip to the Motor City Bowl he jumped into the hotel pool after the game, while he was still in his uniform. Following this incident, he was kicked out of the FMB, a band fraternity that he was a member of, and forbidden to join any other groups in the College of Musical Arts.

Ok, non topic here. He was kicked out for jumping in a pool? Was it because he was in uniform? Or because he jumped into a pool? I don't get it. There's got to be some other part to the story. If not, that is just laughable.

And why stay at a hotel AFTER the game? Not that BG isn't very far, eh?

[Flipper]

Boy, they really don't want you guys to wash those uniforms, huh?

[bg sports fan]

Well i looked at the roster this morn and Patrick is no longer listed on it so it sounds like Coach kicked him off.

[Rightupinthere]

Boy, they really don't want you guys to wash those uniforms, huh?

Dryclean only.

Thanks for the info on FERPA, Transfer. I wasn't aware of that law. I retract my wishes of the punishment being made public.