Left out Wide Out

It’s a football game that claims to showcase the nation’s best senior collegiate players and top NFL draft prospects. General managers, head coaches, assistant coaches and scouts from every National Football League team will make the trek to the Deep South for a “one-of-a-kind NFL Coaches Convention.” Roster spots for this highly anticipated showdown are based on a player’s projected ability to perform in the NFL.

Otherwise known as the Senior Bowl, this nationally televised postseason all star game kicks off this weekend in Mobile, Ala. without Oregon State’s First-Team All American wide receiver Mike Hass.

Come again?

He was not invited.

By now, every Beaver fan is familiar with “the Mike Hass Story.” The improbable storyline of the walk-on from Portland who worked his way into the Beaver’s starting rotation and Pac-10 record books. In his senior season, the Jesuit alumnus torched the Pac-10, catching 90 balls for 1,532 yards receiving en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s top wide receiver.

All this, apparently, was not enough to turn the heads of Senior Bowl officials.

So this weekend, instead of basking in the well earned recognition of a sterling college career, No. 28 will run sprints and lift weights at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, in preparation for the NFL draft in April.

Meanwhile, Oregon’s Demetrius Williams will suit up for the Senior Bowl’s North Squad; which begs the obvious question: How does 2nd team Pac-10 (Williams) trump First-team (Hass) in the eyes of Senior Bowl officials? Oh, and for the record, Williams caught 35 fewer passes on the season than Hass for 500 fewer overall yards, and had one less rap song written about him.

Now imagine for a minute you are an NFL General Manager in need of a wide receiver. Based on these numbers, the decision is simple. However, while Hass has relied on yardage numbers to bolster his reputation among professional scouts, his physical stats have hampered his draft status.

Scouts point to a less than impressive time in the 40-yard dash and Hass’ not-so-meaty build, as evidence he is unprepared for the physical demands of the NFL. Senior Bowl officials bought into the same line of thinking.

However, let’s consider some recent facts surrounding the Senior Bowl selection process.

Last year, this alleged “all-star” game included only 10 of the first 30 players selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Over the last six years, the game has included only 61 of the 180 first-round NFL picks.

Let’s also not ignore the fact that the game is held in Mobile, and is top loaded with regional talent: 20 ACC players and 24 SEC players are on the roster.

It is worth noting that many NFL draft experts believe Hass has “the best hands” of any graduating receiver in the nation. Some have gone a step further and labeled him the best receiver in the country.

All things considered, Hass may have the last laugh.

It was only a few decades ago that University of Tulsa star Steve Largent entered the NFL amidst nagging doubts about his size, speed and durability. Standing only 5-feet-11 and weighing a modest 187 pounds, Largent amassed 819 catches, 13,089 yards and 100 TD’s in 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He twice lead the NFL in receiving yards, earned three pro bowl berths, and missed only four games due to injury during the first 13 seasons of his career.

Not bad for a guy labeled too slow and too small.

Hass is already on the way to proving his doubters wrong. In last weekend’s East-West Shrine Game, a “poor man’s” post season all-star game, he caught 4 balls for 107 yards and the game winning touchdown to help his West squad in a come-from-behind win.

“All I can do is work my rear end off and try to improve my stock,” said Hass in a recent interview with The Oregonian. No sour grapes, no bitterness; just an honest workman-like approach to the game.

Now THAT’S something the NFL should welcome.

Being ‘pride’-ful does not mean being hateful

College campuses have long served as a lightening rod for social change and open public protest.

In the 1960s the government sent its military to the University of Alabama to enforce desegregation. During the Vietnam War era, universities were the site of many anti-war protests and demonstrations.

Now, fast forward to 2005 on the Oregon State University campus, where the “Straight Pride Movement” has established its presence.

The organization’s message is “straight” to the point, “(gay marriage) weakens the family and undermines the values that support it … (and) will ultimately destroy our society and dramatically impact religious civil liberties,” declares the “Straight Pride” Web site, www.straightpride.com.

“Straight Pride” enthusiasts like one OSU student who explained on the Straight Pride Facebook group, “I agree with this cause mainly cuz’ (sic) of the stupid gay pride center.” Some students at OSU express a similar sentiment and go a step further with T-shirts that unabashedly advertise the “Straight Pride” message.

The message espoused by the “Straight Pride” movement, however, is contradictory and far from clear. It seems logical that a “Straight Pride” movement would work to strengthen its community and encourage other heterosexuals to take pride in their sexual identity. The not so hidden agenda of the “Straight Pride” movement has very little to do with any of these things. A little background information helps to bring this organization’s goals and purpose into sharper focus.

The “Straight Pride” movement has connections with “Rock for Life” which, according to straightpride.com, “is a division of the American Life League, the nation’s largest pro-life educational organization.”

“Straight Pride” links its Web site to Dr. James Dobson’s, founder of Focus on the Family and author of Christian self-help books.

Dobson was in the news recently when he worked with Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to prevent the removal of Terry Schiavo’s feeding tube. Dobson also publicly lent his endorsement to California’s Proposition 22, which sought to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Political analyst Michael Crowly of Slate magazine cites Dobson as the catalyst in President Bush’s successful re-election campaigns in Florida and Ohio.

“Straight Pride’s” association with these organizations and its not-so-“straight pride” political efforts suggests its motives extend well beyond the realm of strengthening the heterosexual community (if that was ever the case to begin with) and are more closely aligned with promoting right-wing, neo-conservative policies.

All things considered, naming this movement “Straight Pride” is an affront to the gay community and the campus Pride Center.

Homosexuals have historically suffered public ridicule, persecution and hate. They need a resource center that offers programs and support services that provide a means of empowerment in their community.

Heterosexuals, by contrast, have collectively never been subject to discrimination and hate because of their sexual orientation.

I have yet to hear of a straight person being robbed, severely beaten, tied to a fence post, and left to die — as in the case of Matthew Shepard — simply because they were heterosexual.

Imagine the outrage if a campus movement was established that was directly insulting to another group of traditionally oppressed people, African Americans, for example.

I would not expect this movement to be accepted on campus as the “Straight Pride” movement has been.

I support the freedom of speech and the existence of this movement on campus. It is the duplicity, dishonesty and hidden agenda of this group that is troubling. The “Straight Pride” movement, contrary to its name, seeks not to support or affirm the sexual identities of heterosexuals but simply serves as a guise under which conservatives hide to advocate against gay marriage and other hot button conservative issues such as abortion.

Some clarity must be established. Perhaps this movement should consider a name change: “Straights against Gay Marriage,” or “People Who Don’t Want Guys Marrying Guys.”

Either way, it’s time to stop hiding behind the facade of “Straight Pride” and come out of the closet.

Rename your movement to reflect its purpose.

Rivals have one common trait: mutual animosity

We live in a red state/blue state political landscape. But each year, for one week, the only colors that matter to the state's residents are orange and green, as Oregon divides itself into two hostile camps: Corvallis versus Eugene, Beavers versus Ducks.

The bad blood and animosity between the Civil War schools are pronounced and longstanding.

This week in particular, the rivalry more closely mirrors the country's divided political landscape than a mere football contest. Examined in a political context, it's intriguing to ponder the similarities and differences between the teams.

The Ducks, for example, have changed uniform combinations this season about as frequently as John Kerry changed positions on Iraq. If you're in the OSU camp, by contrast, you always know where the Beavers stand: white jerseys for away games, black jerseys for home games; no flip-flopping here.

In any event, the Beavers hardly have the time for careful wardrobe selection when, like Tom DeLay and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, they are kept busy in the courtroom answering indictments.

The Oregonian, which some Beavers fans hold in roughly the same regard as George Bush holds The New York Times, dutifully reports every morsel of Beavers misbehavior. Anyone who is looking for an anti-Riley tirade after a tough loss or an off-the-field incident involving Beavers players can find plenty of satisfaction in John Canzano's column.

In its favor, The Oregonian does attempt a fair and balanced approach toward reporting Ducks and Beavers news.

In the run-up to last season's Civil War, Ducks cornerback Justin Phinisee confidently proclaimed, "We don't plan on losing. We plan on beating (the Beavers) by as many points as we can."

In sports, as in politics, an unfulfilled promise or boast can do serious damage to one's credibility. Note to Justin: See Al "I invented the Internet" Gore about telling big whoppers. (It was a 50-21 Beavers win, by the way.)

Putting aside these red state/blue state differences, these teams might have more in common than most fans imagine; take the 2000 Civil War, for example.

The confident 9-1 Ducks invaded Reser Stadium led by Central Catholic graduate Joey Harrington. Over the course of the afternoon, the renegade Beavers defense intercepted five of Harrington's passes en route to a 23-13 victory, a share of the Pacific-10 Conference title and a Fiesta Bowl berth.

The chest bumps and celebration dances after sacks that came to symbolize the unrestrained Beavers defense appeared in stark contrast to the choir-boy image of quarterback Harrington and the slick Times Square-billboard Ducks.

Yet despite these style differences, both teams were chasing a Pac-10 championship, Bowl Championship Series game and a 10-win season. And most important, the teams harbored an intense hatred for each other.

Although the stakes for state bragging rights might be different this year, one constant remains: The Beavers hate the Ducks, and the Ducks hate the Beavers. So are we really that different after all?

The answer is a qualified maybe. But perhaps this year, all fans and political parties can put aside our differences and find common ground in one truth:

We really can't stand each other.

A Toxic Brew

The story is startling and troubling. An eighteen-year old man is found dead from alcohol poisoning in Finley Hall and three OSU football players are implicated.

Following a series of other alcohol related arrests and incidents over the past year; this latest event starkly illustrates the lethal consequences of a potent and potentially deadly brew: athletes, alcohol and bad judgment.

The feeling of invincibility that so often accompanies youth is sorely called into question at times like these. College students rarely take seriously all the possible consequences of their sometimes bad decisions.

The problem is often amplified further by the privileges that are accorded the student athlete.

Student-athletes are conditioned and trained to absorb injury and perform at peak levels. Passionate fans fill enormous stadiums to cheer their accomplishments. Coaches, meanwhile, push for ever greater peak performance.

Under such circumstances it's easy to understand how the student athlete can develop a sense of immunity.

Drinking alcohol impairs motor coordination and judgment while also reducing an individual’s inhibitions, self control, and caution. Under the influence of alcohol, an athlete’s perhaps already inflated sense of self importance multiplies unchecked. It is not entirely surprising that this combination can lead to trouble.

The high stakes and high pressure lifestyle of the student-athlete also lends itself to the abuse of alcohol. For example, a disappointing game or rough practice may trigger a binge drinking session as a means of handling disappointment and anxiety.

The very nature of sports in America, and football in particular, incorporates a degree of violence and aggressive behavior. Student-athletes experience a daily indoctrination of practice, workouts and games that serve to fuel their aggressive instincts.

The danger occurs when student athletes become so saturated with this aggressive lifestyle that it begins to spill over into other areas of their lives. Alcohol raises the stakes even further.

The recent incident involving Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin serves as a partial example.

Hamlin and his girlfriend were leaving a downtown Seattle club at 2 am Monday, following a Seahawks home game.

According to the police report, as Hamlin was walking out of the club he put his hand on another man’s back and said “excuse me.” The man told Hamlin to stop pushing and the two men began shoving each other.

Hamlin then reportedly punched the man in the face. Another man struck Hamlin with his forearm and a fight ensued.

Seattle’s starting safety is now in stable but serious condition with a fractured skull, blood clot in his brain and bruising of his brain tissue.

The Tennessee native could easily have walked away from the situation. He instead opted to shove the man back and deliver the first punch. It seems fairly illogical to pick a fight outside a club with a complete stranger.

And while police reports indicate Hamlin was likely sober, it's instructive that the incident took place at a club, after a football game and that, directly or indirectly, alcohol was involved.

The environment surrounding football games does not exactly serve as the best advertisement for post game player sobriety.

Pre-game tailgating has evolved into a rite of passage for many football fans. Reser Stadium’s club level section features an extensive bar and the stadium is liberally filled on Saturdays with many fans who have consumed varying amounts of alcohol.

Let's also not ignore the fact that beer companies such as Coors are major sponsors of NFL football. So while football players may not make a conscious link between alcohol and their sport, the financial relationship certainly exists.

A young man has died needlessly and the lives of three football players are perhaps changed forever. Beyond these facts, we might do well to regard this tragedy in the wider context of the relationship between alcohol and the culture surrounding sports.

Presumed Guilty

Look for some fresh new faces on the OSU campus this fall that promise to bring renewed excitement to OSU athletics.

The dividends are already paying off for the women's volleyball squad where coach Terry Liskevych notched his first Pacific-10 victory this weekend against Arizona State.

And Nebraska transfer Jetta Sadusky is off to a solid start scoring three goals in her first nine games for the women's soccer team.

Another 'player' new to campus this fall, though less visible than Liskevych or Sadusky, promises to have an even greater potential impact on the future of OSU athletics.

This 'player,' otherwise known as the student-athlete code of conduct, seeks to govern and regulate the behavior of OSU athletes by setting minimum punishments for five crimes: driving under the influence of intoxicants, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of a controlled substance, physical assault and sexual offenses.

The head coach of each sport is responsible for enforcing the punishment which involves immediate suspension once charges are brought against the athlete.

The policy was initiated as a result of pressure from Sen. Rick Metsger and the Oregon Legislature following the high profile arrests of six OSU football players last spring. Metsger, a former television sportscaster, proposed Senate Bill 416 which sought to establish standards of conduct for Oregon football programs receiving state funds.

After releasing the code of conduct OSU athletic director Bob De Carolis stated: "The fact that we had a number of [arrests] in a short amount of time, which we've never had before, all from one team prompted me to say, 'We've got to disconnect here someplace.'"

An examination of Senate Bill 416 suggests the "disconnect" extends well beyond the halls of the Valley Football Center.

The concept of "innocent until proven guilty" serves as a cornerstone of our American legal system. Under this new code of conduct, once charges are brought against an athlete - regardless of whether the accusation has merit - the individual must submit to the punishment immediately. The process turns an important legal concept on its head, placing the burden on the accused to prove his innocence.

A similar system would likely be ruled unconstitutional if adopted, for example, by the Corvallis Police Department. Imagine the public outcry if a person charged with robbing a convenience store was afforded no trial, and put behind bars in the Benton County jail.

The hypocrisy inherent in Senate Bill 416 is not hard to locate. Metzger utilized his democratic powers as a senator to fashion a discipline policy that blatantly contradicts the most basic rule of democratic law.

Keep in mind, while Metsger pressed his bill in the legislature, thousands of Oregonians remained unemployed, the statewide methamphetamine epidemic raged unabated and the cost of higher education at state schools continued to rise.

The Oregon Legislature surely has more pressing issues than regulating the activities of college athletes.

One has to wonder how this policy will play out. True, the code of conduct may act as a deterrent to future misbehavior. It is equally possible, however, that potential Beaver recruits will regard such a policy with some doubt and suspicion.

It is a potential possibility that this code could impose a hardship on the university in two areas: financial and athletic. For example, imagine if a "Steven Jackson-caliber" football player was wrongly charged with physical assault and forced to miss a few critical games because of the code's strict guidelines. His draft position could fall just as quickly as the team's conference standing. A source close to the athletic department privately expressed to me concerns about the code, citing questions of legal liability.

On the one hand, the NCAA seeks to further the illusion of "student first, athlete second." But on the other, the newly implemented code of conduct imposes special rules on athletes. Ironically, the code in some ways serves to further isolate some athletes from the general student population.

One must agree with De Carolis' message, "Do the right thing." But there is a sense that this code of conduct has more to do with political maneuvering than any genuine concern for athletes' well-being.

Love and Basketball

Does Nike still sell athletic shoes and apparel? Because recent business decisions beg the question: has chairman Phil Knight dropped the football cleats and gym shorts in favor of a 'family business,' Don Corleone style?

Kevin Love is widely considered the top prep basketball player in Oregon and one of the nation's premier post players. The 2005 Oregon Class 4A player of the year and junior-to-be at Lake Oswego High School has already garnered offers from top tier programs, including Arizona, UCLA and Duke to name just a few. But Love's credentials apparently hold little sway with Nike.

Two weeks ago Nike representatives told Love he could no longer play for the Portland Legends, a Nike sponsored AAU summer league basketball team.

The dismissal came after Love played in the rival Reebok ABCD basketball camp instead of the Nike All-American camp.

According to Love, he participated in the Reebok camp because of the higher level of competition. "I just wanted to play against the best players in the country and that's what I did in the ABCD event. It was the best basketball experience of my life, plus I got to meet people like Jay-Z and LeBron (James)." He finished as the camp's third highest-ranked player and -- get this -- wore Nike sneakers in doing so.

Nike's dismissal did not leave Love without a team, however. The Southern California All-Stars immediately claimed him and he will now suit up for the Reebok sponsored, nationally-ranked squad for the remainder of the summer.

And while everything turned out fine for Love, Nike may not be as fortunate.

This questionable business decision by Nike left the basketball world scratching its head in disbelief. Nike, meanwhile, took on the appearance of a certain fictional Italian family with interests in "the olive oil business."

Many basketball gurus contend that Love will blossom into a college all-American and NBA all-star. The bloodline is certainly there. His father was a basketball star at the University of Oregon and later enjoyed a journeyman career in the NBA. So why, then, would Nike cut its ties with a player it could potentially sign to a future lucrative endorsement contract?

If Nike thinks Love's absence at its All-American camp was embarrassing and a betrayal, just wait until he is throwing down tomahawk jams on national television wearing Reebok shoes. Losing Love to a rival high school basketball camp is small potatoes compared to the financial ramifications of losing Love to a rival shoe company.

Nike's actions also threaten its rapport with other AAU teams and players. I cannot imagine many high school basketball stars surrendering their autonomy simply for the privilege of sporting the Nike swoosh.

The whole affair reflects poorly on Nike; one has to wonder whether the public relations juggernaut that fuels the Nike machine blew a gasket somewhere on the way to this decision.

It is difficult to say how all this will play out on the college recruiting circuit. Following Love's boot from the Legends, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski offered support for Nike's decision, calling it "business."

Sources close to Love now tell me that Duke is out of the mix as one of Love's "favorite schools." UCLA, meanwhile, an adidas-backed program, has moved up on Love's list of suitors.

Nike's decision also jeopardized its sponsorship of the Lake Oswego High School basketball team. According to Principal Bruce Plato, Reebok is talking with coach Mark Shoff and school administrators about cutting a new sponsorship deal. Nike is frantically working to repair its relationship with Love and maintain sponsorship of the Lake Oswego basketball program.

The whole affair illustrates the tangled and questionable relationship between major corporate sponsorship and high school athletes. A dangerous standard has been established. If a powerful shoe company can exercise this kind of 'mob-like' control over high school athletes, there is no telling how slippery this slope could get.

Smells like Team Spirit?

The stench from Eugene is wafting north up I-5, and it has nothing to do with the use of certain "illegal substances." The University of Oregon’s response to the Ernie Kent controversy reeks of stonewalling.

Last Thursday Oregon athletic director Bill Moos announced the extension of men’s basketball coach Ernie Kent’s contract by one year, exercising the annual rollover condition. This announcement comes amidst persistent rumors about Coach Kent and what Kent described euphemistically in a press release as “family problems.” Specifically, the rumors are centered on alleged marital infidelity and certain recruiting violations.

If the speculation about Kent’s personal life is rumor only, why has the university handled the situation in such a covert manner?

Most Pac-10 coaches have a contract with a rollover clause, meaning their deal is automatically extended another season assuming the university does not negate the provision. Rollovers are seldom cause for a press conference and news release; besides, Kent’s rollover was already announced June 20.

A few months ago the Oregonian made a public records request to the university for documentation of Kent’s travel reimbursement and calls made on his university cell phone last year. According to the Oregonian, the university’s general counsel Melinda Grier responded to the request with a statement declaring she, “found no inappropriate expenditures or requests for reimbursement by Ernie Kent.”

The Oregon Open Records law grants free public access to government documents; the university seems curiously reluctant to comply with this statute.

It was also reported by the Oregonian that a lawyer was involved in preparing a statement dismissing these rumors. University sports information departments generally do not enlist the services of attorneys when drafting personal statements.

On top of all this, Kent has yet to address these rumors in a forthright manner. He cancelled two interviews with the Oregonian’s John Canzano and the Eugene Register-Guard. He instead opted for a soft press release making no mention of the specifics surrounding the controversy.

Moos has offered nothing but support for Kent saying, “I can personally attest to the integrity and leadership Ernie demonstrates for our student athletes.” According to Moos, “Our commitment and support of Ernie has never been a question.”

Moos’ handling of the situation raises more questions than it answers. With controversy and questions surrounding the program, Moos has offered unwavering, blind support. He has mentioned neither an investigation into the circumstances nor any intention to do so. Wouldn’t the director of athletics better serve Duck fans and supporters by addressing the issue head on?
If Kent's only wrong doing was marital infidelity, it seems curious the university would take such drastic measures to avoid the issue.

With such persistent rumors and evasive responses by Kent and the university athletic department, it seems that Kent’s actions may extend beyond the personal sphere and into the realm of NCAA infractions.

Circling the wagons is a predictable response. However, Moos would be well advised to take a page from Bob DeCarolis’ playbook and launch an investigation into these matters and make public his findings. Only in this way can the basketball program quash the rumors and restore credibility to Kent and the program.

Without a forthright inquiry, Kent might have a difficult time convincing the parents of high school basketball stars that their son is in good hands. The controversy may have already affected one Oregon prep prospect. Kevin Love, son of former University of Oregon basketball standout Stan Love, and widely considered the best prep player in Oregon, does not list Oregon as one of his “favorite schools.”

If in fact a cover up is taking place, past and present political events show the folly of concealment. It is always the cover up that draws more public outcry and censure than the initial misdeed itself.

Kent's future with the Ducks is on shaky ground and I do not think we have heard the last of this story.