Not sure I like this

[gaelman]

thegazette.com/2011/03/06/anthony-hubbard-from-37-months-in-prison-to-getting-a-scholarship-offer-from-iowas-mens-basketball-program/

I saw this on the Siena board. The story focused on Iowa offering a 25 year old convicted felon (robbery) a scholarship, but it also mentions Iona.

"Penn State, Rutgers and IONA have also offered scholarships to Hubbard, and other schools are in the mix."

Personally, I kind of hope he ends up at Penn State. "State Penn to Penn State" would make a nice story.

From another article:

www.press-citizen.com/article/20110308/HAWKS0102/103080332/Iowa-officials-did-background-search-on-recruit


"Hubbard, who was 18 at the time, also was charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm, which are felonies, stemming from the same incident. But he ultimately pleaded guilty to the robbery charge and served 37 months in prison." (I know we can always use a shooter, but c'mon!)

and:

"Hubbard also was arrested for a misdemeanor assault in January, but the charge later was dropped."

Given the other schools involved, it seems unlikely he will end up at Iona, but I don't think this is the type of recruit we should be going after.

I know, second chances at all that, but there are plenty of good, law abiding, kids out there waiting for their FIRST chances.

[Mr Doom]

gaelman, check the Recruiting thread above.
This is being discussed there. It appears that with all the BCS schools involved, the 2 that he specifically mentions are Iowa and Iona.
Guy also brings a very valid point about our need for BIGs.

[GuyF]

I tend to agree. I don't think we need this. It's one thing to give a kid a shot who has questionable academics. It's another to go this route.

[gaelman]

Mar 9, 2011 11:29:41 GMT -5 Mr Doom said:

gaelman, check the Recruiting thread above.
Guy also brings a very valid point about our need for BIGs.

I agree, if he were 6'10" I'd be all for bringing him in. Just kidding, I still wouldn't want him, but it makes even less sense to recruit a convicted, violent felon, who doesn't really fit a need.

[tootie223]

Hubbard absolutely deserves a second chance. However, I don't think Iona should be the one giving him that chance.

[nick]

No need to go this route. We had a few years without any incidents and its been enjoyable. You can build a very good team with good kids. Just look at this year's team.

[tomdewey]

Come on guys. You are talking about a kid who was 18 years of age. Let's leave it to the coaches to decide whether or not he is someone we want in the Iona program. Don't let the Siena aholes influence your thinking. they are just jealous. They would take the kid in a heartbeat.

[GuyF]

Tom, give us more credit than that--no one from Siena is influencing anything here. If the kid commits to us, that's fine--I just don't think we NEED him per se, so why go this route at all?

[ichoops]

I'm all for second chances. If he was younger I'd be 100% behind it if the coaches felt he's a changed person.

To say no is to say he's the same person. He's done his time and he's out for redemption.

This is a christian college.

[tomdewey]

Guy F, I have no intentions of getting into a pissing match with you. I had enough of them years ago.

If you don't think we need a kid like this perhaps you were not watching the same game I saw Monday night. Iona should take the best talent they can get. No matter the size. They are not going to get too many 6'10" players that can play at their level. Let the coaches decide. They've done a good job so far.

[ichoops]

Let's not throw stones.

[ghostofwillard]

My high and mighty self doesn't like going this route either for recruiting. If Iona has never admitted a student with a felony record than certainly no exception should be made here because this kid can play basketball. If there have been felons enrolled in the past by the admissions department then this kid shouldn't be denied that opportunity either.
One thing I learned in my life is I don't throw stones at anybody, if this is truly a second chance for this kid, and the staff feels comfortable offering it, and the admission's department allows it; to hell with anyone who questions it. That statement comes from my humbled self who in reality knows I'm not that high and mighty!

[GuyF]

Mar 9, 2011 15:47:48 GMT -5 tomdewey said:

Guy F, I have no intentions of getting into a pissing match with you. I had enough of them years ago.

If you don't think we need a kid like this perhaps you were not watching the same game I saw Monday night. Iona should take the best talent they can get. No matter the size. They are not going to get too many 6'10" players that can play at their level. Let the coaches decide. They've done a good job so far.

Nor do I, Tom--and I'm glad you're here!

That said, I'm not forming opinions on what we need based on 1 game.

And, as you said, if the staff wants him and they feel his head is in the right place, that's fine. I just don't see why we can't get a frosh with a similar skill set with no questions whatsoever in his background--that was my point.