there is a link to the story about how Clemson let go Ray Ray
read the article for all the details, but i just wanted to know what you clemson fans thought about it
i want to withold some judgement incase there are parts to the story that haven't been told, but i'm doubting it. this to me is disgusting, not to the program but to coaches decision to let him go of his scholarship. the kid has given so much, worked so hard, to give up his scholarship to some kids that surely can pay for it without the help. i use to root for clemson because they are my favorite ACC team and i hate south carolina, and i still will, but i'm not a big fan of coach one bit anymore. I hope you guys win the ACC and somehow he still gets fired!
bowden sat ray down and told him that since he was going to be fifth on the depth chart at running back his athletic scholarship was going to be pulled. he told him, according to bowden's statement, that if ray wanted to get to the next level in football he was going to have to see the field, and there isnt anywhere for that to happen at clemson. if he chose to transfer, he could have that oppurtunity. OR, clemson offered him a position as a grad-asst after he graduates this august, which would mean he can get his sociology masters degree still under academic scholarship. his room and board, however, would not be payed for.
i dont see how clemson has screwed the kid:
1. he got three years of FREE education at a great university
2. coaches helped him in every way possible fight the ncaa for the waiver
3. fans supported him and donated over 100k into a trust fund for him
i understand he may be frustrated that he isnt going to be on the football team, but he still has two years of eligibility if he decides to transfer to another school. this article in si fails to mention much of what, according to SID tim bourret say, is the actual case.
i hope ray ray and fahmarr the best of luck. ray is a great guy and fahmarr is probably one of the coolest kids i have ever met.
Actually the Clemson SID recently released a statement that indicates that Ray Ray's room and board will be payed for:
"Clemson SID Tim Bourret has issued the following statement:
Some media reports today have said that if Ray Ray McElrathbey elects to return to Clemson to pursue a masters degree that the scholarship would not include room and board. He would in fact receive a stipend that would cover his room and board, in additon to his education expenses. "
I'm not really sure if anyone besides those close will know exactly what is really going on. I do feel this is bad PR but it is not like Clemson is just dropping Ray Ray completely. At his position he would prob never see the field so it does seem to be a waste of scholarship. At least they are offering him an alternative to have tuition paid for without using up an athletic scholarship.
Like I said, i have no problem with how anyone in the Clemson program, their SID or others handled it, except for possibly Bowden.
If he wants to keep an 8th LB on the team, or 3rd string C etc. etc. over him, that's his choice. But he had to know this would be terrible publicity. Is that decision worth all the bad pub you'll get from this? I just don't understand it, because this makes him look terrible.
well bigdog the scuttlebut is that he was in academic trouble and that losing his scholarship will actually benefit him by lightering his workload. Ray has been through so much and football was beginning to become a burden. His education is most important to him as it looks like he will be caring for his younger bro indefinitely.
I hate to be the bearer off good news but our coach re-signed through like 2012 or something and if he continues to win 8 or 9 games a year i say he's a keeper. I don't wish the Bucknuts ill will but maybe a coaching change would bring a better result in those pesky BCS games where professor sweatervest seems to stumble badly. peace.
he makes a good point - the PR was terrible by the AD and bowden. however, i dont think this could have been completely avoided. its not typical to announce pulling a scholarship, as that may violate the confidentiality of the student athlete.
I've always found that honesty is the best policy in anything that you do. The truth may suck and it may hurt but no one can dispute the honest truth. If the Tigers have a numbers crunch with the 85 scholarship rule and RR didn't fit into their on field plans anymore then just say it. Then talk about what you're going to do for the young man to still take care of him. Clemson dropped the ball on this one in a bad way. It's still not to late to admit the mistake and come clean about the real reason(s) and save a little face concerning this situation.
I agree Paw Fan, if they would have come out and been completely honest about the situation, or as much as RR was comfortable with them saying, it would have been MUCH better if everyone knew the story. But when the only story that comes out is that they left him off scholarship, it only looks terrible.
And tigerdug, please, all the Clemson fans I've come across on here have knowledgable and good to talk to, but you are the first dumb one i've come across.
If you didn't know, signing a contract means basically nothing. They can at anytime be let go, so being signed through 2012 means nothing. Also, we need a coaching change? Hmm, when was the last national title you won? Because we've been to 3 title games in 6 years, with one win and have been in the BCS so many times only Southern Cal can match. Conf. titles? So many! How about yours? Exactly. Don't come knocking when you can't come in the house.
