[therealbodoyle]

I didn't even say anything bad. Don't get your panties in a bundle...yet

not you it's expected from a CCU fan jk I'm talking to TBGBG

My bad. Sorry about that.

[BJWilliams]

I would concur because as I said, Im not one to speculate. I tend to let things play themselves out but Id think that those are the most likely possibilities for what is going on here

[BJWilliams]

Id say the first three but after my own experience this summer I would not be surprised if the fourth turned out to be plausible too

[jmdickens]

Come on SJ... We have never cared what a court says, why start now. Students have been kicked out before an arraignment and staff are fired if arrested (unless you're athletics staff I guess)

I know someone working at LU who got more than one DWI who was allowed to keep his job. Just had to go to counseling....so, I guess there is precedent.

[ToTheLeft]

Okay, here's my main beef, is the twisting of words here.

Danny Rocco is not "LU Administration". Rocco knowing about the arrest doesn't mean Asa didn't self-report. If DR told Asa to self-report, and Asa did, then the stories all line up and no one is hiding anything.

BYD has the most logical beef here. Everyone else is just crying over silly, stupid, contrived issues. The main thing here is WHAT CHANGED about the CHARGES HE'S FACING. And we're not going to learn that until it's all over. Everything else is just what you can expect from a situation like this. They can't tell us anymore since it's an ongoing legal investigation.

I think it's been handled as well as it can be. And at this point, it's just a few people sticking their neck out for the kid. If they're wrong, it's on their hands. I trust that these guys made the right call based on that.

[BJWilliams]

Would it be fair to say that if all the people who have gone cuckoo for cocoa puffs turn out to be wrong, that there will be a small stack of notes of apology on the desks of Coach Rocco and AD Barber?

[flameshaw]

Again I ask, to those who are now okay with this, what could possibly be the information that makes this okay? It could very well be that he is going to walk for this, but that doesn't change the truth of the situation...

Which is one of these
1) He had cocaine, and it was his.
2) He did not have cocaine, and this was a mistake in police work.
3) He had cocaine that wasn't his.
4) A dirty cop planted cocaine in Asa's car or on his person.

Are there any other possibilities?

BJ, Flameshaw, anyone who is now okay with the situation...anybody want to take a stab at this???? Tell me, show me, what the possibilities are, and how it would be alright ethically.

I am not sure what the other possibilities are. Here is what I do know and really all that matters to me right now. JFJR is ok wih it. Until he gives me a reason to believe otherwise, I trust him and the rest of the Athletic Department to make the right decision. Do you want to call JFJR a liar when he says Asa is being treated like any other student in similar circumstances? Be my guest. I do know from personal experience that the administration is not able to discuss personal matters regarding specific students with others.

[Purple Haize]

Liberty University's Statement on Reinstatement of Asa Chapman

While I did not participate in the process of determining whether Asa Chapman should be reinstated to the football team, I have reviewed the facts of the case (some of which are unknown to the public and cannot legally be disclosed by Liberty) and the decision to reinstate by Coach Danny Rocco and Athletic Director Jeff Barber. Based on the facts that have been provided to me by the Student Conduct Office, Athletics and Asa Chapman’s attorney I have concluded that the decision to reinstate was consistent with school policy and I have found no compelling reason to reverse the decision.

I also did not participate in the process of determining what disciplinary action should be taken against Asa Chapman by the DEAN OF STUDENTS Office but I have reviewed the facts relative to that decision as well. The Office of Student Care first learned of this incident from Asa Chapman himself. (The self-report policy is clearly outlined in the Liberty Way and was followed in this matter.) Asa Chapman had a clean record with the Student Conduct Office prior to this incident. This was his first offense. As a Christian university, Liberty offers support and restoration programs that are not available at most institutions and is therefore better suited to monitor, counsel and restore wayward students. Those students have a better chance of returning to spiritual health, in my opinion, if they remain a part of the Liberty community.



--Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.

This is a well crafted statement. JFJR has complete deniability if this thing goes south. He stated he had no hand in any of this decision to reinstate and based on the info given to him by the AD, DR Student Conduct Office he could see no reason to overturn THEIR decision. Now he can claim that if things go side ways he was unaware of whatever it is that caused that. Of course had he, or anyone else known that information he would have overturned the reinstatement.
What I find disappointing are the 2 statements he made that we know are false. How can there still be a claim that he self reported? The police knew, Asa knew, the paper knew, the head coach knew all before Student Conduct knew. So if you can keep the Student Conduct Office in the dark you are golden! So our definition of Self Reporting in based on whether you contact them or they contact you. Secondly, how can they claim he was a first time offender? He was pulled over because of 'priors'. His past records are easily accessible . But apparently the definition now being used is 'first offense of the scholastic year.'. Very disappointing stance.
Finally, there was no discussion on why they are setting the Liberty Way aside in this case. I have quoted the section pertaining to the incident. It doesn't matter if he pleads down or not. Rules were violated, and 0 consequences handed out. There are ways that LU could have accomplished all the spiritual and person building they claim they are interested in and NOT compromised.

[Purple Haize]

I read Roccos statements and come away even less impressed. He compared this decision to his decision anther or not to punt ?

Then there was this gem:“I think the takeaway message, and maybe not specific to Asa, is that actions have consequences.". Obviously not in Asa's case because there were no real consequences. He even said Trust Me, he wakes up everyday thinking about the consequences of his actions. Really? That he can flaunt the code of conduct and still play?

Just admit that had you made him sit out a year he would have left school, joined the NFL and we never would have use of his services.

[flameshaw]

I read Roccos statements and come away even less impressed. He compared this decision to his decision anther or not to punt ?

Then there was this gem:“I think the takeaway message, and maybe not specific to Asa, is that actions have consequences.". Obviously not in Asa's case because there were no real consequences. He even said Trust Me, he wakes up everyday thinking about the consequences of his actions. Really? That he can flaunt the code of conduct and still play?

Just admit that had you made him sit out a year he would have left school, joined the NFL and we never would have use of his services.

PMS?

[Purple Haize]

Are you asking if this new phase at Liberty should be called Post Ministry Sellout

[BJWilliams]

Purple, he was a first time offender AS IT RELATES TO THE LIBERTY WAY. If he had been cited for anything prior to this situation (which to our knowledge he wasnt) then this situation would have no doubt turned out differently. Did you read the whole story Lang posted or did you just focus on what Coach Rocco said because he didnt "impress" you with his explanation...if Coach Rocco was about impressing some (to him anyway) no name keyboard jockey who doesnt have the decency to maybe speak to him personally about the matter but instead decides to air his grievances on a public message board, then we would have some SERIOUS issues in my view

[SumItUp]

BJ, please quit!!

[JDUB]

JLFJR quote clearly said no prior offense with student conduct. That's where first time offender comes from. Like it or not, but that's how the first time offender rule works with the LU Way. That's nothing new to this situation, so nothing to get worked up over on that point.

[Purple Haize]

Nope I read the whole thing. Im glad they got their story finally straight. Sure, he was arrested on a Friday practiced on a Monday and wasn't suspended until Tuesday. He 'self reported' because he had already been caught. IMO self reporting would be owning up to things BEFORE you get caught and Or found out.
Yes we now know that first time offender applies only to the LibertyWay. Question: Knowing Hesse a risk, why not have this support system in place right away? Does this mean everyone gets a Hall Pass now?
JDUB the Liberty Way also clearly states a minimum of2 semester suspension if you are associated, possess, use or distribute illegal drugs. Does this mean selective rule enforcement?

[BJWilliams]

I made this point a couple pages ago about "self reporting": If the school hasnt already been notified by the authorities (which in this case it sounds like they werent), if the student (notice I didnt say athlete) in question goes to anyone at the University and lets them know what they did, they are directed to the Student Care Office and the offense is then therefore viewed as a "self-report". As someone who has ended up on the wrong side of the Liberty Way on quite a few occasions (and its not something Im proud of believe me), I dont think that it was as cut and dry a situation as you profess Purple...and Im pretty sure there was no need to "get their story straight" (that's something youre assuming in your own hatred clouded mind)

[rogers3]

Would it be fair to say that if all the people who have gone cuckoo for cocoa puffs turn out to be wrong, that there will be a small stack of notes of apology on the desks of Coach Rocco and AD Barber?

No. No apologies. Asa should be off the field until the charges are dismissed. BJ- I think many feel this way, and no amount of discussion or explaining can change the situation. It happened and that is that. Likely scenario: he was driving someone else's car, coke and pot stashed and found during search, passes a drug test, readmitted because a) he appears to be clean and b) it wasn't his car.
It still looks bad and there is no doubt that Asa has some big issues. Just like the email that Rocco read at the Flames Club, some athletes seem to be heading in a good direction and then they surprise you. Asa obviously has some unsavory friends outside of the school and he should expect that they could come back to cause him trouble. No matter, it looks like we just have welcomed back a semi-hoodlum because he will help us out.
Call it cuckoo or whatever, but I have been around the block here several times and I can read between the lines. Ugly things like this can have a negative effect on the financial support that LUAA gets; ask Bob Good about that- I'm sure he has seen it.
By the way, saying that such observations are hatred driven is foolish and immature.

[jbock13]

Would it be fair to say that if all the people who have gone cuckoo for cocoa puffs

Beej, stop it, you're making me hungry.

[SuperJon]

I have a feeling BJ is gonna go slap a white board and yell, "We can win this game!" soon with the intensity he's going after people with.

[ProudPapa73]

GRACE. I'll take it!

[JDUB]

Nope I read the whole thing. Im glad they got their story finally straight. Sure, he was arrested on a Friday practiced on a Monday and wasn't suspended until Tuesday. He 'self reported' because he had already been caught. IMO self reporting would be owning up to things BEFORE you get caught and Or found out.
Yes we now know that first time offender applies only to the LibertyWay. Question: Knowing Hesse a risk, why not have this support system in place right away? Does this mean everyone gets a Hall Pass now?
JDUB the Liberty Way also clearly states a minimum of2 semester suspension if you are associated, possess, use or distribute illegal drugs. Does this mean selective rule enforcement?

Well it seems there are some facts we don't know yet, so I'd say it's possible he's found not guilty on possession if he was in fact in someone else's car and didn't know it was there. I can speculate and everything but we'll just have to see what comes out.

I don't enforce rules, so you'd have to discuss your issues on that to someone who does.

Lets just hope more details come out soon or something so the speculation can end and we can get this behind us, hopefully without it hurting us too badly. I'm trying to be optimistic here, no reason to assume the worst, hopefully.

[SuperJon]

On a side note, the whacked views of what grace truly is that have been evident in this thread is a snapshot of what's wrong with the church in America.

[From the class of 09]

the Liberty Way also clearly states a minimum of2 semester suspension if you are associated, possess, use or distribute illegal drugs. Does this mean selective rule enforcement?

It's been established that this hasn't been followed in all cases. The Lib way is applied differently all the time.

[Purple Haize]

One key piece of information is missing and the powers that be might want to get their stories straight on this. Did Asa go to Coach Rocco on his own accord or did Rocco have to confront him first? Judging by what we know from Lang, Rocco had no idea until Lang informed him. (on a side note I'm glad that he is ok and not consumed by boils or devoured by locust). Therefore it was not Asa who voluntarily came forward to self report. He only self reported because he had already been caught.
THIS is why it is a PR nightmare. A better statement would have read something like this
"As many of you know, one of our players made a mistake recently. This player brought this situation to my attention and I immediately contacted The Student Conduct office on his behalf. We scheduled a meeting where all the relevant parties to discuss the situations and what consequences are involved. This player has overcome a lot of adversity in his life and has done exceptionally well. However, none of us are perfect, and some of those old demons came back and this player fell into their snare. He has shown a great deal of remorse, even going so far as to offer to sit out this year in order to get his life straight. We felt that in this instance, based on his background, this was a one off occurrence and believe his remorse is genuine. Further, we all felt that keeping this person in the structured environment that only football can offer wad the best possible way to keep him on the straight and narrow and prevent a repeat of this incidence. Further, this player has eagerly volunteered to enter counseling to continue overcoming his past and becoming the type of person that God created him to be. Finally, he will be subject to random screenings, strict academic accountability and a 0 tolerance policy. We are all saddened and disappointed about what has happened, this player being the most disappointed. We are honored that this player trusted us enough to come forward and excited to see what a great person they will become."

[flamesfan30]

its possible the student care office was told before rocco.