[SuperJon]

Anyone comparing this to Aikens has no clue what they're talking about. Dale Layer is the reason Walt played at Liberty. He had a prior relationship with the Aikens family and not only personally vouched for him, he also turned our staff onto him. It wasn't a random second chance. It was very similar to Rocco having a previous relationship with Vince. When you personally know someone, you can separate the person from the situation.

The Grooms kid is a phenomenal talent from a rough area. He likes to drink and enjoys a black and mild on the way to practice. Is he a bad kid or a product of his environment? No one has a previous relationship with him so it's hard to tell. It will be a gamble to bring him in, but if we believe in fresh starts and second chances, it's a gamble worth taking.

[VAGolf]

Anyone comparing this to Aikens has no clue what they're talking about. Dale Layer is the reason Walt played at Liberty. He had a prior relationship with the Aikens family and not only personally vouched for him, he also turned our staff onto him. It wasn't a random second chance. It was very similar to Rocco having a previous relationship with Vince. When you personally know someone, you can separate the person from the situation.

The Grooms kid is a phenomenal talent from a rough area. He likes to drink and enjoys a black and milds on the way to practice. Is he a bad kid or a product of his environment? No one has a previous relationship with him so it's hard to tell. It will be a gamble to bring him in, but if we believe in fresh starts and second chances, it's a gamble worth taking.

You completely missed my point in bringing up Aikens. I only brought him up because he was a mess before he came to Liberty, and he was a different person when he left. How he got to Liberty doesn't change that he got to Liberty, and his life turned around.

I completely agree with the second part of your post.

[BJWilliams]

That's why I added explicitly or not...I understand that he may not say "so and so must win or else" or "if we are not at least (insert record here) by thus and such point, so and so is probably out", but he could say something that can be translated that way, like "I think this year is our year to win it" or "I really would love for us to be able to prove ourselves in the postseason" or any number of things. then when he is not in front of a microphone or on camera or recorder he can say it more directly. Being an athletic director is as much about public relations and managing public perception as just about anything else.

[SuperJon]

Anyone comparing this to Aikens has no clue what they're talking about. Dale Layer is the reason Walt played at Liberty. He had a prior relationship with the Aikens family and not only personally vouched for him, he also turned our staff onto him. It wasn't a random second chance. It was very similar to Rocco having a previous relationship with Vince. When you personally know someone, you can separate the person from the situation.

The Grooms kid is a phenomenal talent from a rough area. He likes to drink and enjoys a black and milds on the way to practice. Is he a bad kid or a product of his environment? No one has a previous relationship with him so it's hard to tell. It will be a gamble to bring him in, but if we believe in fresh starts and second chances, it's a gamble worth taking.

You completely missed my point in bringing up Aikens. I only brought him up because he was a mess before he came to Liberty, and he was a different person when he left. How he got to Liberty doesn't change that he got to Liberty, and his life turned around.

I completely agree with the second part of your post.

My bad. I just happened to respond after you. I wasn't referring to you in the comparison stuff. Bad timing on that.

[SuperJon]

That's why I added explicitly or not...I understand that he may not say "so and so must win or else" or "if we are not at least (insert record here) by thus and such point, so and so is probably out", but he could say something that can be translated that way, like "I think this year is our year to win it" or "I really would love for us to be able to prove ourselves in the postseason" or any number of things. then when he is not in front of a microphone or on camera or recorder he can say it more directly. Being an athletic director is as much about public relations and managing public perception as just about anything else.

This is why you're not an AD.

[VAGolf]

Anyone comparing this to Aikens has no clue what they're talking about. Dale Layer is the reason Walt played at Liberty. He had a prior relationship with the Aikens family and not only personally vouched for him, he also turned our staff onto him. It wasn't a random second chance. It was very similar to Rocco having a previous relationship with Vince. When you personally know someone, you can separate the person from the situation.

The Grooms kid is a phenomenal talent from a rough area. He likes to drink and enjoys a black and milds on the way to practice. Is he a bad kid or a product of his environment? No one has a previous relationship with him so it's hard to tell. It will be a gamble to bring him in, but if we believe in fresh starts and second chances, it's a gamble worth taking.

You completely missed my point in bringing up Aikens. I only brought him up because he was a mess before he came to Liberty, and he was a different person when he left. How he got to Liberty doesn't change that he got to Liberty, and his life turned around.

I completely agree with the second part of your post.

My bad. I just happened to respond after you. I wasn't referring to you in the comparison stuff. Bad timing on that.

All good. No worries.

[BJWilliams]

Anyway, if he does transfer here, and he does turn his life around, AND we benefit from him on the field, im sure there will be an all you can eat crow buffet for myself and possibly a couple others in a couple years

[SuperJon]

No one will be eating crow. There's not a wrong side of this one. This is totally, 100% opinion based. If he turns his life around at Liberty, no one will eat crow. They'll congratulate him and tell him they're proud of him.

[BJWilliams]

And then get his autograph when he comes back to visit

[bluejacket]

Barber holds football and baseball to a higher level than basketball so yes, the leash is shorter in football.

The leash is shorter compared to other sports, but its not short for a athletics department boasting FBS now and can't make the playoffs in the Big South.

[bluejacket]

Anyone comparing this to Aikens has no clue what they're talking about. Dale Layer is the reason Walt played at Liberty. He had a prior relationship with the Aikens family and not only personally vouched for him, he also turned our staff onto him. It wasn't a random second chance. It was very similar to Rocco having a previous relationship with Vince. When you personally know someone, you can separate the person from the situation.

Yes. But don't forget that the focus was on football. Walt dabbled in track and basketball, but never at the expense of football.

[PAmedic]

The leash is shorter compared to other sports, but its not short for a athletics department boasting FBS now and can't make the playoffs in the Big South.

YES

this may be the best way I've heard yet to explain it

we should switch to a choke collar

[Chris Lang]

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... b2370.html

[BJWilliams]

Ok so let's see what happens with the legal stuff then we can see how he does when he hits the practice field when he field, whenever that may be

[TH Spangler]

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... b2370.html

Grooms, a running back, will not play in 2014.

Why, because his legal stuff will not cleared up in time for this season?

[Sly Fox]

That would be my guess. It also gives him time to prove to the school that he is serious about committing to our standards.

[Chris Lang]

Updated story w/quotes:

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... b2370.html

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the clarity on our questions, Chris. I assume there will be pics of him posted online even if he wasn't available for comment.

[PAmedic]

Grooms, a running back, will not play in 2014.

Why, because his legal stuff will not cleared up in time for this season?

According to NCAA Bylaw 14.5.1.2 student-athletes who transfer to any NCAA school from a collegiate institution while disqualified or suspended from the previous institution for disciplinary reasons must complete one calendar year in residence at the new institution before being able to compete. Grooms was not only suspended from the football program, but from the university as well.

[BJWilliams]

Will be interesting how he does in training camp next year. Sounds like he will not have played in a game in 2 years come next season and been in a practice in almost a year when he is eligible , unless he can practice next spring

[SuperJon]

Beej, he's able to practice right away.

[Kiwon]

How about somebody giving Coach Gill credit for the scope and tone of his public statement on Grooms? It's exactly what you'd want to hear from a head football coach of a Christian university.

First, he welcomes Grooms. Second, Coach Gill puts the burden of responsibility on Grooms to make positive changes for himself. Third, he offers the support of the Football program and the University to help him reach his goal of bettering himself.

If you were a 21-year old promising athlete who has messed up publicly, suffered shame and embarrassment and have further legal charges hanging over your head, what more could you ask for in terms of encouragement if you are serious about turning your life around?

Time will tell if Grooms is serious and whether he has the intestinal fortitude to change ways. But that's what God is about and that's what a Christian university should be about. Coach Gill is more than a teacher of Football. He's a minister and mentor to young men.

Like the unserious comments on the Grooms' article on the main blog page, it's too easy to look at Grooms as a caricature, as a generic figure from a video football game. We need to remember that there's a real person there, a person that God loves and has a good plan for.

I am proud that Coach Gill and Liberty University have done that.
............................................................................................

Head Coach Turner Gill on Grooms' Addition to Team:
"Kevin sought out our football program because he is at a point in his life where he wants to make some positive changes. He believes Liberty University would provide the type of atmosphere that would allow him to be successful in this endeavor. He understands that he will be expected to grow academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Kevin and be a part of his growth and maturity."

"While Kevin has enjoyed success both academically and athletically at Marshall, the thing that made Kevin attractive to us is the fact that he has had some adversity and he wants to make changes in his life. Liberty University is a place that has always offered young people a second change and we are excited to be a part of that process in Kevin's life."

[BJWilliams]

Beej, he's able to practice right away.

Ahh...thanks Jon. I guess we will get to see what he can do in spring ball then since he will have two months of practice (at least) plus 7 months in the weight room under Gillespie

[thepostman]

Yeah, I really like what Coach Gill says there. I am all for second chances and believe we all deserve one but at the same time need to be held accountable and that is exactly what Coach Gill is doing. Much respect for that. I hope it works out for all parties involved.

[TH Spangler]

How about somebody giving Coach Gill credit for the scope and tone of his public statement on Grooms? It's exactly what you'd want to hear from a head football coach of a Christian university.

Good stuff, hope Grooms leaves Liberty for the NFL as a Champion F.C.