[BJWilliams]

and if I get banned for taking a stance similar to RC's then so be it for me as well. I didnt say that I didnt think it would hurt the program. If it turns out that this is legit and Asa is convicted, then yeah its a bad decision and one that will affect a lot of credibility for people involved...but like I said and like RC said, there very well could be more to this so Im gonna wait and find out the rest of teh story (RIP Paul Harvey). If it means Im banned for not going cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs then farewell...

[ToTheLeft]

It's a really tough situation to be in. Do we also just ban players from athletic teams at the mere hint of something illegal? Do we show the country "If you come to Liberty and you're caught in a Duke Lacrosse style situation, you'll be out of luck. If you're falsely accused, we're sorry, but you're not going to play"

It's about setting precedents. Asa has been "suspended" for 3 weeks at least, and he has done enough to make the coaches and AD's stick their neck out to re-instate him. THERE IS SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW. As someone said, their jobs are on the line. You don't just let convicted felons play football. You have to know something MORE.

This is really weird to be the only one taking up for the staff here, but I just don't see how they could be so dumb as to do this without knowing something. ESPECIALLY when someone OUTSIDE of athletics is quoted in the press release.

If he winds up being guilty, it's no skin off my back for "supporting" them. They're the ones who evaluated the circumstances and made the decision, and they'll have to answer to those who come calling. I just feel like there's something to this, because there's no way that educated, experienced coaches and administrators would let this happen without confidence that they'll come out with clean hands (and noses) at the end.

[soccer7]

Note what I highlighted...he has NOT been convicted...apparently the vast majority of this board has forgotten the concept of innocent until proven guilty (even our law school friend)...its guilty until proven otherwise to most of you

Have you forgotten that "Innocent Until Proven Guilty" applies to law only? He's either guilty or innocent right now. And nothing Coach Rocco has said has suggested he believes Asa is innocent here.

I have no problem with Asa being in class. I do have a problem with him as a representative of our University.

While I don't agree with you other places I do agree with you on this matter! I truly wish him the best and dont mind him being in class to help him. However, I want to know that he has been washed of all charges before being admitted back onto the team!

[Schfourteenteen]

NO! THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING! They certainly don't know how to calm a fan base using press releases.

[thepostman]

I sure hope I'm wrong....

[Rooster Cogburn]

TTL, look again, you are not the only one, and HOLY COW we agree on something!!! What is happening???

[jmdickens]

Folks whether it's legal or just life, I think we need to wait. You all have it all figured out, without much to go on. I'm trusting the coaches and Admin. that there is more to this than just an open and sshut Felony conviction. I'm hoping we will all feel better when we know it all. In the mean time I will pray for Asa, AD Barber, Coach Rocco, and all else involved.

In case you think I am not upset, I am very much so. I am just trying to be patient.

Ban??

Go for it. If I get banned for that comment, so be it.

It was a joke about you using common sense and patience on this message board. lol

[rogers3]

Very disappointing. Reminds me of the days back when Rutigliano let Green play... and others. I'm sure that Bob Good and JB will be getting an earful. There could very well be some ramifications for the Flames Club- not a vital part of athletics, but a large contributor to the growth of the program. Sometimes these things can backfire within the team, itself. I wouldn't be surprised with a season that we look back on as being very disappointing.

[Purple Haize]

ROOSTER your faith in the decision making process by the above listed, and Mark Hine, has already been disappointed. As quoted previously from the Liberty Way

Illegal drugs-association/possession, use/distribution (minimum two semesters out)

He obviously wad associated and in possession of illegal drugs. This is an undisputed fact. Yet those that be failed to adhere to there own policy. Anything after this will just be spin that would make Mr Carville proud.
Of course this was from the old policy. Now we are under the New Era of Christian Commitment where this type of behavior is apparently now acceptable. Of course I blame the devil music being played during the football games!

TTL. BYU took a stand. I guess Mormons are better people then us

[Sly Fox]

Guys, like many of you my first reaction is stunned dismay. We all have been hearing this was a possibility all weekend. Seeing the news release had my heart sink.

I'll be honest admit that I don't have all the details. What we do know is pretty disconcerting for everyone involved. I have had several people approach me with details they have heard surrounding the arrest and the decision-making process to reinstate Asa. It is all very troubling.

I am trying to maintain some level of patience while waiting to hear directly from leadership tomorrow. They certainly knew the firestorm this would bring from the student body & alumni. The fact they took this into consideration and still chose to push forward means they either know details that we don't know or they are making a risk with potentially devastating consequences.

I'm thrilled to hear Asa is getting help. But I really need to hear for myself why he is suiting up to represent our university and place our school squarely in the crosshairs of not only our enemies but the majority of people who don't necessarily have a preconceived opinion of our school.

[flameshaw]

Lots of drama here. I believe some patience is warranted. Maybe we should wait until we hear more from the administration. For some reason I expect they have some good reasons for making the decisions they have made. I am willing to wait until we hear from JFJR.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Go for it. If I get banned for that comment, so be it.

It was a joke about you using common sense and patience on this message board. lol

haha, oops!

[BJWilliams]

I dropped Jr a note as well so Im sure he is getting a good look at this and the situation before commenting

[ToTheLeft]

TTL. BYU took a stand. I guess Mormons are better people then us

They are certainly more strict and probably more moral. How many kids who have sex will now NOT go to BYU because of that incident? How many BYU recruits go on their trip to Utah and hear all about that story. Versus going to BYU and hearing their message of morality and becoming a better person.

I get it, this is Liberty, not just any school. This isn't an issue of recruiting. But we're going to shut doors for second chances (that we love to give) if we're just going to kick out people who have any kind of issue that leaks out as public.

I'd love to play for an administration that sticks its neck out for me. I'm not an athlete (obviously) but I feel like that's an admirable quality.

[slickus23]

It's a really tough situation to be in. Do we also just ban players from athletic teams at the mere hint of something illegal? Do we show the country "If you come to Liberty and you're caught in a Duke Lacrosse style situation, you'll be out of luck. If you're falsely accused, we're sorry, but you're not going to play"

It's about setting precedents. Asa has been "suspended" for 3 weeks at least, and he has done enough to make the coaches and AD's stick their neck out to re-instate him. THERE IS SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW. As someone said, their jobs are on the line. You don't just let convicted felons play football. You have to know something MORE.

This is really weird to be the only one taking up for the staff here, but I just don't see how they could be so dumb as to do this without knowing something. ESPECIALLY when someone OUTSIDE of athletics is quoted in the press release.

If he winds up being guilty, it's no skin off my back for "supporting" them. They're the ones who evaluated the circumstances and made the decision, and they'll have to answer to those who come calling. I just feel like there's something to this, because there's no way that educated, experienced coaches and administrators would let this happen without confidence that they'll come out with clean hands (and noses) at the end.

I agree with this. With the way the NCAA is investigating and sanctioning programs these days, one would have to think that was in the decision making process in reinstating Chapman not to mention Liberty's reputation. I just have to think there's information that's not released yet that makes this a decision a sound one. I really don't think our administration would loosely reinstate him. If they did then yes there will be answers that are demanded and it could get ugly. And if it does, then changes would probably need to be made anyway. Let's just see how it plays out.

[WinterIsComing]

Let's be honest. It's about this;

"I am excited for Asa that he is going to be able to return his focus back to the football field, and help our program's ‘Quest' to capture a fifth-straight Big South title, to win in the postseason and become a program of national prominence," concluded Rocco.

And that IS dangerous!

[From the class of 09]

I really really hope there are lots of facts we don't know that make this decision seem less SECish when they are released. THEY NEED TO BE RELEASED.

Rocco really seemed to care about the person more than the player back when I had some (granted fairly limited) interaction with him. But we need to hear some additional facts.

Also rumor is going around that a certain unofficial scribe may have tipped Rocco off to original arrest giving Asa a chance to "self report"?!? Idk if that's true but it's a rumor I've heard.

[flamesfan30]

there is no possible way danny rocco and jeff barber are this stupid. they have to know he's innocent. they have to. its too big a risk for him not to be innocent. even mark freakin' hine, dean of students and head of student conduct says he's innocent. he's the go to guy for all things liberty way, and who decides who gets punished for breaking it.

[ToTheLeft]

there is no possible way danny rocco and jeff barber are this stupid. they have to know he's innocent. they have to. its too big a risk for him not to be innocent. even mark freakin' hine, dean of students and head of student conduct says he's innocent. he's the go to guy for all things liberty way, and who decides who gets punished for breaking it.

Exactly. I don't even like Rocco as much as everyone here, and I am saying there's NO WAY he's this stupid.

[Schfourteenteen]

there is no possible way danny rocco and jeff barber are this stupid. they have to know he's innocent. they have to. its too big a risk for him not to be innocent. even mark freakin' hine, dean of students and head of student conduct says he's innocent. he's the go to guy for all things liberty way, and who decides who gets punished for breaking it.

Innocent or not going to be found guilty of the charges that matter?

[BJWilliams]

Agreed, youve got three people putting their CAREERS on the line with this one (Rocco, Barber and Hine) so something has to be known that is not being/can not be said on here

[01LUGrad]

Also rumor is going around that a certain unofficial scribe may have tipped Rocco off to original arrest giving Asa a chance to "self report"?!? Idk if that's true but it's a rumor I've heard.

That sound you hear is the excrement making solid contact with the wind propusion device

[Rooster Cogburn]

Right on FF30. These guys were all hired to do a job, and they do it very well and with integrity. There IS something we don't know. I'm sure of it. I like how calmer heads are finally starting to prevail.

[JMUDukeDawg]

I get it, this is Liberty, not just any school. This isn't an issue of recruiting. But we're going to shut doors for second chances (that we love to give) if we're just going to kick out people who have any kind of issue that leaks out as public.

I'd love to play for an administration that sticks its neck out for me. I'm not an athlete (obviously) but I feel like that's an admirable quality.

As an outsider, here's my issue: this is actually more aggressive than other schools. As pointed out earlier, the Rose brothers plus another were dismissed from the team until the charges were completely dropped (and not all of them were "repeat offenders"). There are also plenty of other issues at other schools to draw from as examples.

Now, having said that, I would think that there has to be some other information out there that validates the reinstatement but right now the fact remains that felony drug charges are pending against an athlete on your roster. Unless that changes soon, that WILL affect recruiting, because it definitely takes the shine off of the "mission" advantage that Liberty has in recruiting Christian athletes.

If I had to guess, the charges might be getting dropped, but it's taking some time to get through the sytsem and they didn't want to delay his reinstatement to further punish him.

[BJWilliams]

Except for 01 apparently...