Alligator Army: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Voodoo Five for South Florida Bulls Fans!

Carlos Dunlap Suspension Ends; Poor Precedent Set By University

From the Orlando Sentinel (HT:Timmy C.)

Urban Meyer said Dunlap, who just started to work out with his teammates again, must "take care of his (business)" before the game. President Bernie Machen and Athletics Director Jeremy Foley were involved in the decision to bring Dunlap back..."There was a lot of discussion," Meyer said. "It's case-by-case. If there was another issue, there'd be an issue. But there hasn't been. The administration let me know."

The influence of the administration is interesting and troubling. In one sense, it shows how far up the chain this went. However, Machen has ruined lives by kicking kids out for a semester for doing things just as bad as Dunlap. I understand Meyer's comment that this is "case-by-case" but usually the case is to teach the kid a lesson and send him home. That is why UF pitcher Stephen Locke was kicked off the team before the State Attorney investigated and charges were dropped. (Note that 2 of 5 punishments for an alcohol violation remove a student from campus.) I guess it is possible that Dunlap's suspension was ended because he or UF has learned that the State Attorney will soon end their investigation with dropped charges.

I do not fault Meyer for ending the suspension, since his job is to get kids on the field not worry about an alcohol policy. (Of course, Florida rivals will say this is an example of Meyer running a lawless program, but they'd say the same if Dunlap played next season too.) If Machen's influence ended the suspension, and does not extend to students caught in the same situation, Machen has created a problem for the University. Unless Machen now changes the alcohol policy at Florida, he has set a clear line between athletes and students. I have no problem with athletes having access to more tutors or better dining facilities and gyms, since they make millions for the school. But I do have a problem when they are punished differently than students for breaking University rules.

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

1 game suspension for a DUI

That is too light of a punishment. The whole Spikes thing, and now this….this is really going to put a stain on Urbans morals. I dont think Dunlap deserves a chance to play in the final game. I hope he sit the bench most of the time. Not just becuase he got a DUI, but he let his entire team down by getting in trouble before the biggest game of the season. Wich is a understatement just to call it that,

"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"

by Hook85 on Dec 18, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

This is bullshit.
this is really going to put a stain on Urbans morals.

There’s nothing wrong with Urban Meyer’s morals. You’ve been reading too many rival posts about how “lawless” our program is.

by wangalusa on Dec 19, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

If you read the Sports Illustrated piece on Meyer, Dunlap fits with Meyer’s philosophy of not cutting a kid off forever. I don’t mind the return from suspension, my problem is the University’s lack of punishment. I know that Dunlap is remorseful, but so are a lot of kids who get get caught drunk in Gainesville. Maybe the team will let Dunlap actually speak on the record and we’ll have a better sense of his punishment, which needs to be something other than “watching his team get their asses kicked in the SEC Championship Game.” But as it is, it looks like the University is putting the football team above the University rules. Everyone hates the alcohol rules, but we still have to follow them.

mlmintampa
UF C/O 06

by mlmintampa on Dec 19, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

You know it is

I dont personally think Ubran has issues with morals. I just know the rest of the nation already thinks it, this will only confirm it in thier eyes.

Aslo, in my opinion getting a DUI deserves more then a 1 games suspension. Especially when his last game is probly just going to be a stepping stone.

"I meant to misspell that word, just observing who would correct me."

by Hook85 on Dec 19, 2009 9:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm over it at this point

His punishment is the guilt he’s going to have for the rest of his life at leaving his team hanging at the most crucial juncture of his college career. Sanctions should fit the crime, right? How about every Gator on earth holding him partly responsible for the collapse two weeks ago.

by falcontom on Dec 19, 2009 1:46 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

We're in a glass house, folks...

Enough! The administration gave the go ahead, Meyer agrees: the main criteria were past behavior and subsequent context. You want him to pay for more, maybe for the EVERYONE’S failure in that game? Or is it something else? If UF is throwing out students the first time they are arrested, regardless of history and/or eventual adjudication, then things have taken a turn towards fascism since I went there. It’s Dunlap’s last game as a Gator in any event; I don’t see any great moral breakdown in giving him one last turn on the field with his teammates, a small bit of redemption— perhaps the only way he has ever known.
As for the outside world and “what they’ll say”, Meyer doesn’t care and neither do most of us. The haters will hate. They’ve had their shining moment: the score in the 4th quarter and Tebow’s tears should have been more than enough, but it was like blood in the water for those cretins. Get with the program! Embrace their frustration and shrill howling. We’re about to be underdogs again, folks: they really think we’re headed into NotrFsU-land, struggling ever downward. Starting over next year, we can forge a new identity, an “us-against-the-world-and-we-don’t-care” rallying point that can heal our wounds and make our team TRULY DANGEROUS. Let’s start now.

by texgator on Dec 19, 2009 12:36 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

WE could win w/o him

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.

by Patssuck456 on Dec 19, 2009 4:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Why should we though?

What fans don’t understand is the player/coach relationship. These guys are not just faces and names to one another like we see them. They are close friends, at UF, almost like family. I hate it that people choose to drink and drive, I lost a close family member to someone DUI. Carlos made a stupid mistake that he will pay dearly for years to come with mental anguish and self loathing. Who wants to be known as the straw that broke the mighty Gators back? The biggest reason for our perfect season dreams being killed and killing our national title hopes. Well, Carlos will not only believe it himself, but I’m quite sure we won’t let him live it down either. He’s a 20 year old kid who made a stupid mistake, go figure. The final decision came down to UF Administration, not the UF coaching staff. Regardless, our rivals will pile on. But who frickin’ cares? The coaches, players, and UF administration are the only people who really know what is going on. This could be a case like UT’s Jansen Jackson’s where Carlos could be totally cleared of all charges. Let’s just hope nothing like this happens again. Go Gators

by pLANEolG8RB8 on Dec 20, 2009 1:03 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

calm down people

look folks, carlos dunlap served three years with the gator nation, he was quite often simply enjoyable to watch. and then the kid made a really really dumb mistake that he will always pay for. i’m sure he knows he let the guys down. but the reality is he was a kid, now he’s a man. and he’s got a future. and i submit that a coach who realizes that a kid who gave honorable service for three years be at least be put in as positive a light as possible by the coach. he’ll be off to other pastures in a month. i submit the better message sent is to say to the kids, look we ain’t gonna kick you to the curb. we’re going to say goodbye and wish you the best and much success, and to his future employer, we say hey, give a florida kid a chance.

by quezzygreen on Dec 22, 2009 12:24 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

This might shed some light on Meyer's view of Dunlap......

Here’s a piece that Game Day did on Marty Johnson when Urban was at Utah

I’ll give Urban some credit here – he cares more about his players than about outside perceptions of himself and his program.

by skigator93 on Dec 22, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

The world’s leading E20-322 questions magazine, bringing you breaking news, film and DVD reviews, experts interviews, competitions and more. These 1z0-051 questions buying resources help you make informed decisions. Also this magazine includes MB2-632 questions reviews that are designed to help you to make a smart purchase.

by curtboris on Jan 11, 2010 12:03 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Florida Gators.
Start posting about the Gators »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Timtebowweareallwitnesses1_small
UF in 2010
Brantley_small
Tim Tebow At The Combine
Brantley_small
Who Wants To Dance?
Small
even in the fictional world...
Dscn0444_small
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE FSU FAN!
Timtebowweareallwitnesses1_small
This is the Best blog on SB.
Brantley_small
Tim Tebow a Product of a System?
Brantley_small
Seantrel Henderson Helps Lane Kiffin do it again!
Gordon_small
Gators take the mythical recruiting national title
Sir_big_spur_small
Go Education!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

South Florida guard Dominique Jones reacts after an NCAA basketball game with Georgetown in Washington Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. South Florida defeated No. 7 Georgetown 72-64. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

South Florida's Dominique Jones Likely To Declare For NBA Draft

Oregon's LeKendric Longmire, left and California's Omondi Amoke go after a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Pac-10 Conference tournament, Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Los Angeles. California won 90-74. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) link

What Does Omondi Amoke's Suspension Mean For Cal?

via www2.tbo.com +9 updates

Full 2010 NCAA Tournament Predictions, From The SB Nation Editors ('Cause We Know Stuff!)

More from SBNation.com >


Manager

Alligatorarmy_small mlmintampa

Official Partner of CBS Sports