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"Prayerity," Double Standards, and, alas, Groinman By Malamute, 14 July 2004
U-Dub may need some “prayerity” in 2005 With the loss of Rashaad Goodrum (4 stars) to USC, Matt Tuiasosopo (5 stars) to the Mariners, and Keauntea Bankhead (4 stars) to some standardized test scores, the UW’s 2004 recruiting class is mostly devoid of top-ranked athletes, excepting Dashon Goldson (4-stars) -- who had shoulder surgery over the winter. Keith Gilbertson probably knew that Goodrum, Tuiasosopo and Bankhead were all of questionable status when he offered them scholarships. How can you not offer Tuiasosopo a scholarship, considering that family's legacy at the UW? Recruiting Big Kahunas that never make it to shore is not altogether bad when you consider that their presence on a verbal list most likely entices smaller Kahunas to follow their lead and make verbal commitments. In my mind, Tuiasosopo and Goodrum were always long shots to make it in; however, I am surprised that Bankhead didn’t qualify. At the recruiting banquet, an assistant coach said Bankhead was close to qualifying, noting he was having academic problems. I expect Gilby to bring in a much better class next season, especially if his 2004 team exceeds expectations. However, if he doesn’t recruit well next season, the Dawgs are going to need some "prayerity" (prayers plus parity) in the future -- that is, some parity in the conference mixed with prayers for the team. Double Standards? In the past, Washington has been deemed guilty of four "major violations" in its athletic programs. How will that sordid history affect the NCAA’s decision as to whether the UW is guilty of a lack of institutional control? LOIC carries with it stiff penalties, marked by the loss of scholarships, a post-season bowl ban and lost revenues due to restricted TV appearances. The four major violations are as follows:
In the latest set of violations (the Boat-ride scandal), the NCAA considers Neuheisel’s gambling to be a major violation because of the monies bid in the two auctions. Also, the undercharging for the boat rides and the booster’s contact with recruits are considered a major violation. The small betting pools within the athletic department are considered secondary violations. Lack of institutional control is a superset of all the violations and, as mentioned, carries with it severe penalties. Although UW didn’t gain any significant recruiting advantage, as it did in the Slush Fund and Fruit Basket scandals, we expect the Dawgs to receive severer penalties than Oregon did, their penalties being nothing more than a slap on the wrist. I know that Bud Withers of the Seattle Times says that Husky fans should be cheered by the Oregon findings, since “the Oregon case sustains a trend Washington supporters should embrace. For some reason, NCAA enforcement has been much less heavy-handed over the past decade or so,” Withers says. It is hard to believe that members of our local media were neither aware of nor had heard rumors of the Oregon fiasco, which occurred a year and a half ago but only exposed just now. Oh, I forgot, it’s hard to sell papers when you’ve got two villains acting on stage. You know, the KISS rule of journalism. Most likely rumors were floating around, but nobody in the fourth estate acted on them since they were too busy devouring the UW. If that is true, then it is not presumptuous to say that the Oregon case presents a double standard in journalism. “So the guess here is, the Huskies get some scholarship reductions in football, a stern admonition to get the compliance house in order, and a probationary whack across the knuckles with the NCAA's hickory branch,” Withers continues. Scholarship reductions? Geez, Oregon didn’t lose any scholarships -- the loss of scholarships wouldn't be following any trend sustained by Oregon. Rocky has passed away It is with sadness that we note the passing of our favorite malamute, Rocky, who passed away on April 12. He was eleven year’s old at the time and succumbed to the effects of a malignant tumor. Rocky’s spirit has always been part of this website, as it will be in the future. He was owned by Officer Lee Groinman, whom we are trying to entice out of retirement. Groinman has a lot to say, and he must be heard!! Managing to get the best of Groinman, Rocky ("a.k.a., Roo") was always a hilarious part of Lee’s stories. Not all is lost.
The misadventures of Officer Lee Groinman may become more tumultuous in future episodes. Rocky’s photo is part of our logo, and other photos taken of him accompany my bylined stories.
If everything in the universe is connected as scientists tell us, then we humans are linked to our canine friends -- not only in a physical sense, but, spiritually, as a caring maker of both would so will. The following poem is dedicated to former Husky mascot King Redoubt (1990-1998) and to Rocky (1993-2004), who, without much fanfare, lived the good life thanks to his loving owners, Gloria and Lee Groinman. Are Malamutes Huskies?
What is a real Husky?
Tethered to the sled-
Our fur blossoms purple -
Are Malamutes Huskies?
When we leave the sled - Richard Linde (a.k.a., Malamute) can be reached at malamute@4malamute.com |
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Malamute says the Huskies
may need some “prayerity” in 2005. Also, he comments on the Boat-ride scandal, double standards and the loss of his favorite Alaskan malamute,
Rocky (photo left). Just days ago, there was a Lee Groinman sighting in Cle Elum,
setting the town's people back on their heels. 
According to Groinman, “We picked up a female Malamute at 9
weeks of age, named her Elsie. She is now 4 1/2 months old and crazy as a loon.
Three weeks ago come Saturday, we picked up the male, named him Eli (photo
left), short for
Elijah. He is now nearly 11 weeks old....That's Right. Two PUPPIES!!”
Elsie
(see photo left) promises to keep Eli and Groinman busy, having keen
intelligence, an abundance of playfulness, and a fierce loyalty to her master
not seen in other dogs, all of which, by the way, are characteristic of Alaskan
Malamutes. "Crazy as a loon," Groinman says of Elsie? Methinks this Mal has Lee
wrapped around her tiny paws.