[R i]

I dont like blaming the adults in his life. There are kids with a variety of support systems and upbringings that make similar decisions. Again, the NCAA is experiencing a record number of transfers a year. Dale recruited the kid honestly, and Braxton waffled. He should sit out a year, maybe help him learn that quitting on a commitment isnt the easy way out.

My problem isnt with just Braxton, or the coaches, and I definatly think its unfair to throw his mom or grandparents in the mix. We have Theo, who greatly benefitted from the ability to transfer (or quit as PH would put it), his coach at COC was a dweeb.

Braxton left Layer in a tight spot. Leave his family and support system out of it.

[Purple Haize]

I dont like blaming the adults in his life. There are kids with a variety of support systems and upbringings that make similar decisions. Again, the NCAA is experiencing a record number of transfers a year. Dale recruited the kid honestly, and Braxton waffled. He should sit out a year, maybe help him learn that quitting on a commitment isnt the easy way out.

My problem isnt with just Braxton, or the coaches, and I definatly think its unfair to throw his mom or grandparents in the mix. We have Theo, who greatly benefitted from the ability to transfer (or quit as PH would put it), his coach at COC was a dweeb.

Braxton left Layer in a tight spot. Leave his family and support system out of it.

Had he put in a year and decided it wasn't a good fit, I have 0 problem with that. Death of a parent or serious illness of same, 0 problem. That's not the case here.
Braxton is the one who quit. Key members of his support system either tacitly or actively allowed it to happen and enabled it. These types of decisions are not made in a vacuum. They bear a size able chunk of the responsibility.

As for the NLI, as I stated, at any school I'm usually a supporter of the release. This case would not fall under an exction for me. NOT releasing a kid from a NLI can cause you more grief and headache down the road. Keeping the NLI won't teach this kid anything. It will just give him something else to blame other than himself. If/when his hoops fortunes fade, instead of looking in the mirror and saying 'it's my fault' he will just be able to deflect and say 'If only Liberty had released me I could have been great. '. Not really the life lesson you want

[jinxy]

Byd has a great point though.

[PAmedic]

I absolutely would not release him. It sets a terrible precedent.

THIS

welcome to DI athletics son.

I signed a contract at work too. I live by that contract and if I violate it, I suffer the consequences.

not to mention caving to this kid would make LU hoops look (more) like a joke

[olldflame]

I can't believe there are actually people absolving his mom of her parental responsibility. Braxton is a minor. The law does not differentiate between 17 and 7. If you are under 18 you are a CHILD. His mother is responsible for him, and he cannot do this without her consent. There are multiplied thousands of Freshmen at universities all over America who are there because their parents gave them no choice in the matter. probably a higher % at LU than at most places.

[jcmanson]

I don't think we have the right to jump in and place blame on anyone in his family. We do not know what has been said behind closed doors. Calling out his mother is going too far.

[olldflame]

Theo Johnson is sitting out a year under NCAA transfer rules RI. That is all we are saying Braxton should have to do.

[thepostman]

Yeah, I am not sure why people feel the need to make things so personal. I think it is a terrible decision and one in which he must understand there are consequences for but there is no need to bring the kids mom into it, geez.

[R i]

Theo Johnson is sitting out a year under NCAA transfer rules RI. That is all we are saying Braxton should have to do.

I agreed. I was pointing out that Theo benefitted from the transfer rules. So we shouldnt say that every player that transfers is a quitter.

I think Layer should require Bonds sit this year.

[bluejacket]

They should give him a conditional release and place restrictions on where he can go so that they can protect the program. Other than those programs, let him go.

[Cider Jim]

Not that we're bitter, but let's at least keep him from transferring to any Sun Belt schools.

[SuperJon]

They should give him a conditional release and place restrictions on where he can go so that they can protect the program. Other than those programs, let him go.

Allow him to go D2 or lower.

[TheGovernor]

Hear he may be headed a bit South from his home in TN.

True. (Possibly. Things Always Change, but seems to be the direction thus far.)

[TheGovernor]

One thing to remember, Braxton had several D1 options to choose from when he selected us. It's not like he won't be wanted elsewhere, and from what I hear he could be moving UP.

Truth.

[TheGovernor]

They should give him a conditional release and place restrictions on where he can go so that they can protect the program. Other than those programs, let him go.

Every Release Now has these conditions. Normally they stipulate conference opponents and opponents on the schedule the next 2 years (that are known).

[Purple Haize]

They should give him a conditional release and place restrictions on where he can go so that they can protect the program. Other than those programs, let him go.

I see that as the best option. I know there was a case about this a few years ago but do not remember the outcome. It's why I didn't suggest it. Too busy to look it up

[bluejacket]

They almost always have the above mentioned conditions, but I have heard of some cases where they did not put any stipulations on where a guy could transfer. This is our best solution to the problem, but we have had several cases where we chose to do stupid things instead of the right thing.

The most infamous case involving that I can remember involved Bo Ryan and Jarrod Uthoff a couple of years ago. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... l-transfer Ryan blocked him from 25 schools, including the entire Big Ten, the entire ACC, Marquette, and Iowa State. Ultimately, he relented and let Uthoff talk to every school outside of the Big Ten. http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... 8cWIPldV1Y

[Sly Fox]

The kid is obviously making regrettable decisions. But I don't wish him ill will personally. I actually feel sorry for his shortsightedness that will hurt him in life if he doesn't mature quickly. I do hope he gets his act together.

And Pop is welcome here anytime as far as I am concerned. Thanks for being a standup guy through this situation that has to be hurting you personally.

[Purple Haize]

The kid is obviously making regrettable decisions. But I don't wish him ill will personally. I actually feel sorry for his shortsightedness that will hurt him in life if he doesn't mature quickly. I do hope he gets his act together.

And Pop is welcome here anytime as far as I am concerned. Thanks for being a standup guy through this situation that has to be hurting you personally.

It happened again. We agree

[olldflame]

The law does not differentiate between 17 and 7. If you are under 18 you are a CHILD.

At the risk of going off topic, this is not correct.

The Age of Majority in all but 3 states, is 18. The exceptions are NE and AL, where it is 19 and MS, where it is 21. A minor can be emancipated prior to this age by joining the military, getting married, or applying for and receiving it through the courts. The parents of any minor who is not emancipated are subject to parental rights and responsibilities.

May I add that the NCAA has an even higher standard. Every NLI signed by a prospective student athlete under 21 must be signed by a parent or guardian as well. I continue to scratch my head over how easily we can condemn the 17 year old for making a decision that is "terrible" and "irresponsible" and jump all over anyone who suggests that the person who has the responsibility to protect him from his own immaturity and irresponsibility is complicit in it.

[olldflame]

Yet, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a 14 year old can make his or her own medical decisions. 16 year olds are given an even higher level of autonomy when it comes to decision making. So while 18 may be the age of majority, to say that the law does not differentiate between a 7 or 17 year old is plainly incorrect.

Yes, and 16 year olds can drive in most states, and there are other specific "licenses" that are granted at earlier ages, none of which have anything to do with this. A minor cannot enter into or terminate a contract w/o parental consent, and in fact, for the NLI specifically, they must be 21.

[olldflame]

So you agree then, that what you said originally was incorrect?

You could make an argument that I was not specific enough, but to be honest, why would I need to be? We weren't discussing medical treatment or driver's licenses. When it comes to contracts, which was the topic, the legal status of all minors is the same.

[SuperJon]

This is the worst e-fight in the history of FlameFans. Me and HMO need to start fighting again. Or skittles. Bring back skittles.

[thepostman]

haha, I forgot about skittles.

HMO used to get mad about everything, ahhh memories.

[Chippy]

A similar situation:

http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sports/20 ... ting-class