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By Jay Jones, June 20, 2008
On Thursday, The Oregonian’s John Canzano talked to Saint Bonaventure High School Head Football Coach Todd Therrien regarding the Xavier Ramos situation on his sports talk radio show, The Bald Faced Truth.
Here’s the link to the audio. Canzano’s conversation with Therrien is right off the top.
Towards the end of the discussion that follows the interview, Canzano talks about a conversation he had with Ramos earlier in the week in which Ramos told Canzano that he does not want to go to Oregon now, and would like to go to Oregon State and “stick it” to the Ducks.
Can anyone say Mike Hass?
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Tags: Ducks, Football, John Canzano, University of Oregon, Xavier Ramos
jtlight Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Really? That was John Canzano talking? A reasonable assessment of the situation, with appropriate blame? When the U of O was involved?
In all seriousness, props to the guy. He nailed it this time. This is a systemic problem. Oregon should take appropriate blame in the situation, but this is entirely systemic. This situation is not cool, and needs to be fixed.
Oh, but it’s the NCAA we’re talking about, so that won’t happen.
Jay Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 8:23 am
jtlight -
Ahhh…another Canzano conversation.
Here’s the thing about Canzano: regardless of whether or not he’s reasonable on any given subject, it seems like he’s always coming from the same position. And for most Duck fans…Well, I think they know what I’m talking about.
I agree. He sounds somewhat reasonable on this topic. Although, I think there is an unnecessary angle to this story. But I won’t get into that. Talk about trouble.
Whenever I tackle problems, I like to suggest solutions. And Canzano does the same in this case. However, his solution of limiting letters just doesn’t make sense. It’s not bad. It just wouldn’t work, logistically.
Bad situation all the way around. Very unfortunate. Should be fixed at an NCAA level. Oregon should do what it can to fix the problem at their level.
But I do always wonder in these cases about the kids who really want to go to Oregon - and then when something goes wrong, they immediately want to go to OSU. I don’t know how that works.
Also, I really can’t think of a situation where OSU has spurned a kid, and he really, really wants to go to UO to “stick it” to the Beavs.
Hmmm…
Jay
DSN
SeaDuck Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I think we should start reporting on JC’s daily like a microscope like he does for anything that happens to Oregon. How come JC didn’t do an article about Jamar Jarrett last year who had a letter of intent from Oregon and verbally said he was coming to Oregon but on signing day switched to ASU? How about an article on poor Oregon and how could somebody do this to an institution like he did? For god sakes it’s June and this kid got an offer that was recinded it happens all the time both ways, this is a business and this kid now has over 7 months to find another school. Is it unfortunate? Yes, but it’s business and now this kid got his first lesson in life, is his health fine? Yes, is he hurt a little bit? yes, will he get over it? Yes, pretty damn quick as kids this age are pretty resilent. JC is making this another overblown incident like he does most incident like he does most things related to Oregon. Has JC ever been objective in his articles towards Oregon when an incident happens? No! JC, your a coward hiding behind a pen.
RedmonDuck Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Let me start by saying that I don’t blame the UO because they are simply working within a flawed system. The simple solution from an NCAA level in my mind is just not to let any school formally offer a kid. Let the school show interest in a kid and make the kid contact the school when he wants to commit. At that point make all of the schools coaches involved in any recruiting sign a letter approving a scholarship offer that is binding from the schools side(barring any major transgression/injury by the kid before officially signing). This would protect the kids, and protect the schools from themselves.
ASW Duck Fan Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Ramos now wants to go to osu primalary to”stick it” to the Ducks?!? Sounds like UO dodged a bullit wiyh this kid. Who wants a kid on the team who is willing to go to a inferior program and make a life changing decesion based on getting a little revenge? Sounds like a horrible decesion maker to me. Have fun in Corvallis kiddo…
Joey5Picks Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 11:25 am
“Inferior?” You must not be paying attention. OSU has won 3 of the last 4 CWs and actually WINS bowl games.
Jay Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Joey5Picks -
I think you mean they have appeared in 3 out of the last 4 CWS, and won 2 CSW back-to-back.
One other quick thing: both teams won bowl games in ‘07.
Jay
DSN (& BSN)
Peter Osborne Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Umm, I have to say that I don’t think the system is flawed. How many stories do we hear with this outcome? One? Maybe? I am sure it happens more, but with the literally thousands of kids that are being recruited, it is very rare. We would like to think that there is a perfect system, but there is not. Limiting offer letters limits kids options. It hurts many kids who may want to go to, say, Oregon State to be an engineer, but end up going somewhere else without an engineering program. Anything that limits the opportunities for these kids should be avoided, in my honest opinion.
What this situation does is offer a lesson for schools, if they care or not, to be more careful with the wording of their letters. Including a statement that says “Offer can be rescinded at any time and for any reason by the University.” or something like that would probably be a start, and then maybe a verbal acknowledgement from the coaches that they are looking at many players and that this offer is contingent of what is best for the university and the student.
As for comparing a kid bagging out on their verbal versus this situation, it is not even comparable. Losing one player will not end a program, unless they are really weak. But a kid getting his scholarship pulled can change their life forever. As someone else pointed out, going to OSU because of revenge is not a good reason. Unfortunately, that is the situation the ducks have put him in.
I for one think it is a crappy thing that the duck coaches did, and I hope Mike Riley never does the same thing. I just don’t think it is worth changing the rules over because I don’t think the rules are that flawed.
Oh, and anyone that calls the Beaver program inferior is just ignorant. The Beavers and Ducks have been virtually identical for the last decade. You can say you hate the Beavers, that is fine, but inferior? Maybe the ducks should win a Civil War and finish with a better record than the Beavers before they do say that…
Pat Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Hey ASW duck fan, what does that moniker stand for? Absolutely Sick Wacko duck fan? Inferior program? Scoreboard boobie… (Also I realize criticizing someones spelling is a bit lame, but decesion? what is that? LOL!)
Sounds like a committed hard working athlete, I can certainly see him wanting to stick it to the ucks and if he does come to the best program in the NW (OREGON STATE), I’m sure he will enjoy his time in Corvallis….KIDDO!
Sam Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
So a college decision will be based in spite of another school? I guess that is one of the few ways the eWe can get quality recruits, if they “hate the Ducks”. What’s funny is all the barkrats that were flaming on the Duck boards after he was listed as an Oregon commit putting down the kid b/c he looks for the “big hit” and often misses a play on the ball. I’m sure beavs will have open arms with are leftovers now though! The only thing Crapzano had right was that this is an NCAA problem, not Oregon’s.
ASW Duck Fan Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
PAT… Whet? Yo thnk i hav terribble speeling? I dent git it?!? LOL…
uofokev Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
How many times in the last decade have the beavs been mentioned in the same sentence as “national championship?” And I don’t mean the sentence “The beavers will never compete for a national championship.”
No, I mean twice in the last decade the Ducks have been number 2 and looking for a shot at a title. Once the BCS screwed us, the latest, Dixon’s knee did.
So yes, I think referring to the OS as inferior is rigth on the money. When the sheep start cracking the top 10 regularly and have ESPN show up TWICE in one season for game day then you can start comparing your program to Oregons.
Oh, and Cantzano is a moron. I’ve read more unbiased drivil in checkout stand tabloids.
beevur Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
yawn…..winning the civil war is becoming boring
Peter Osborne Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 am
Gosh, they have been mentioned as National Champions?!?!?!? Twice?
Man, you are right, I am wrong. Being mentioned for it is just like winning it. I guess that the Sun Bowl last year was actually for the National Championship since they were both ranked #2 at one point. Or maybe it should have been a three game tournament with Cal thrown in as well?
Doi.
I am pretty sure that when all is said and done, the team with the better record and who won the head to head game is the better team. But I could be totally wrong about this…
UO Wrestler Alumni Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
This is just another screw up by the UO Athletic Department. Kilkenney must go!
How many lawsuits will it take for higher ups to realize that this guy is poison to the department?
Jay Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
UO Wrestler Alumni -
I know you view the UO Athletic Department through the prism of wrestling. But Kilkenny didn’t have anything to do with this. And blaming Kilkenny for every hiccup within the Athletic Department just hurts wrestling’s credibility.
Now, that being said, he could have appeared like a hero in this case. Maybe he pays for Ramos to go to the UO. Or figures a way for Ramos to play for the Ducks. I don’t know.
While he could have done something, I don’t believe he did anything to begin with.
Jay
DSN
Jay Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
My bad. Kilkenny paying for Ramos to attend the UO would be a bad idea. And an NCAA violation.
Oops.
Jay
DSN
UO Wrestler Alumni Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Jay,
You’re right to say that for Kilkenny finding a way for Ramos to is a bad idea, thus an NCAA violation. But it did come to your mind initially, and you later realized this was a mistake.
My point is this: Having someone like Kilkenny (NO EXPERIENCE IN NCAA ATHLETICS, NO COLLEGE DEGREE, COLLEGE DROP OUT,ETC), he is bound to make mistakes. Kilkenney is plain and simple NOT QUALIFIED!!!!!!
He made a mistake with wrestling, he is making severe mistakes with the new arena, and he is in the middle of a fight with parking issues when it comes to the new BB stadium.
To top this off, we have offered to SUBSIDIZE OREGON WRESTLING AND BUILD OUR OWN WORKOUT FACILITY ! This is not a Title IV issue here. Oh but wait. That is what Kilkenney claims, that is is a Title IV decision. Then why did Neal Zamboukous say it wasn’t Title IV? Who do you believe?
And by complaining about Kilkenney doesn’t hurt our credibility. I think we are the ones to call him out. My question to you: What other mess is on the horizon that is under Kilkenny’s watch because of his lack of qualifications? For UO athletics as a whole, it may be a blessing that we are calling him out (via the lawsuit).
Jay Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
UO Wrestler Alumni -
What other mess? I think UO has plenty to deal with right now, and in the months to come. Shoot. Look at Sports Illustrated today.
Speaking of little mistakes…it’s Title IX, not Title IV. Those pesky Roman numerals. But I know what you meant.
Jay
DSN
UO Wrestler Alumni Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Jay,
Let me share with you the “prism” of reality!
I love the UO and UO athletics!
I love the fact that UO is adding baseball and the additional women’s sports. I am an avid football, basketball, and track fan as well.
But let me share with you what hurts me the most about my beloved UO:
- 12 months ago, it was promised by the UO Athletic department that the wrestlers would have a new work out facility. This was verbally, face-to-face promised.
- 11 months ago, the decision was made to cut wrestling and add baseball and womens cheer. Kilkenny and Baugartner stated that it was “Title IV” and “lck of funding” that drove this decision.
- Save Oregon Wrestling was formed to save our sport. We challenged Title IV and started our campaign to raise the appropiate money to endow our sport at the UO.
- Neal Zamboukous told the Eugene Daily Emerald that “Title IV” had nothing to do with their decsion, rather it was an accumulation of reasons, one of which was no wrestling facility, the other was funding.
- We repeatedly asked for clarification and was repeatedly ignored by Kilkenney.
- In the meantime, we have raised $3 MM and we have the financial commitment to build a new wrestling work out facility.
- Still no response from the UO Athletic Department on how much we need to raise, or even a peep.
- In the meantime, Kilkenny is busy with the arena project, which we are 100% behind. Kilkenny’s lack of preparation and experience calls for more clarification and hearings on the arena project. Rumor has it, that the cost of BB season tickets will go up dramatically when the new area is finished. There STILL is no set price for season tickets to BB games.
- Arizona State decides to cut their wrestling program due to lack of funds. Two weeks later, the ASU AD reinstates the wrestling program due to fund raising, which is THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY WE RAISED!!!!!
- Still nothing from Kilkenny.
- Now, it has come to the UO Wrestlers filing a lawsuit with Marion County asking for our program to be reinstated.
- The funny thing about all of this, is that the UO WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR WRESTLING!!!!!! And it is not a Title IV issue!!!!
Now, hopefully Jay, seeing through my prism will become clearer to you as to why there is this sense of distrust in Kilkenny. He is out for himself, he is not qualified, he is NOW involved with a number of lawsuits, he doesn’t communicate very well, and more than anything, he is driven entirely by greed.
UO Wrestler Alumni Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Jay,
You’re right. I made a mistake: Title IX.
At least you and I can admit to making mistakes. Kilkenny cannot. He feels he is above it. What a drop out!
David C. Nelson Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
You guys are leaving out Mr. Kilkenny’s pledge to make the Duck baseball program the only one in America to operate in the black. If he can do that, he deserves the Nobel Prize for economics and should join the next presidential administration in order to liquidate the national debt and save Social Security and Medicare simultaneously.
You know, if wrestling had never been cut, I think I’d still see Pat through the prism of voodoo economics. Why so many Ducks loyalists are still giving him a pass is a mystery to me. Do you suppose they could be viewing him through a lemon yellow-prism?
Roseanna Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
“Do you suppose they could be viewing him through a lemon yellow-prism?”
No…I don’t think that’s it. I think the internet feedback mechanism is a limited measurement of response. The response from donors will be like the economy — months down the road we’ll see the real fallout.
Just now the R-G is cutting back. I’ve been doing that and feeling it for a year now. Loyalists don’t know how to or want to respond publically sometimes. It happens ‘at the pump’, so to speak. They back out on their pledge… or they pledge less… or they just stop buying. Surprise!
UO Wrestler Alumni Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
DAF’s Matt English named Concordia’s New AD? Is this the beginning of an exodus? Of course, Killkenny has no comment. What a drop out!