Projecting the suspension for Derek Willis

[wildcatdon]

If it was a Duke player nothing would happen and that is the way their fans would want it. We have a guy do something like this and so many of our fans think the "right thing" must be done and he must be punished in some way. We always have to be the standard bearer for discipline in the major sports for some reason or other..Don't understand why our fans think like this..

Make him run some laps and let it go. It's old news now and needs to be put to bed. Uk's reputation will not be ruined like some of you think it will.

Move on.

 

[Blue Decade]

If Willis is suspended then Cal has officially surpassed Coach K in ethics and doing the right thing.

Willis would never be suspended at Duke for this. Jesus they don't even suspend players who try and injury the other team and cheat.

What in the world does Duke have to do with this? Willis royally screwed up, and Calipari is responsible for standards in our basketball program. He will do what is best.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

If it was a Duke player nothing would happen and that is the way their fans would want it. We have a guy do something like this and so many of our fans think the "right thing" must be done and he must be punished in some way. We always have to be the standard bearer for discipline in the major sports for some reason or other..Don't understand why our fans think like this..

Make him run some laps and let it go. It's old news now and needs to be put to bed. Uk's reputation will not be ruined like some of you think it will.

Move on.

Never lost anyone to a drunk driver have you.

 

[ulismyman]

For the record..i didnt start this thread

 

[BBUK_anon]

IMO, if Willis is upfront and truthful, then the punishment will be less - but if he's less than genuine,
Cal will know it and he'll have no other option than to hammer him. He will always place the best interest
and welfare of his kids ahead of the program.

Stated that way I agree. The other way....not so much..

 

[BBUK_anon]

Never lost anyone to a drunk driver have you.

I'd like this post Cat, but, not sure I should...

 

[Blue Decade]

Make him run some laps and let it go. It's old news now and needs to be put to bed. Uk's reputation will not be ruined like some of you think it will.

Move on.

LOL! The way coaches handle stupid stunts like this WILL influence the school's reputation, and the coach's reputation too. Kentucky's administrators and corporate consultants know this. It's what I do for a living. Calipari certainly understands it. No way Calipari mismanages this. If such things do not influence the school's reputation in your eyes, then you are in the minority. It amazes me that some people here are so worried about beating Michigan State that they are unwilling or unable to look at this like full grown adults. In the 1st place, I don't accept the premise that Kentucky won't beat Willis without Willis. But that is beside the point. Losing a game shorthanded is nothing compared to making stupid, shortsighted decisions in public about a player's future health and safety. Calipari knows this, so expect a suspension. Just hope nobody else is involved.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

I'd like this post Cat, but, not sure I should...

I know what you mean.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

What in the world does Duke have to do with this? Willis royally screwed up, and Calipari is responsible for standards in our basketball program. He will do what is best.

He didn't even come close to "royally screwing up".. Is that serious? If drinking in public is a royal screw-up, then what would it be called if he got behind the wheel? A National Tragedy? What then if he struck someone? The Apocalypse?

And as long as the SC/NCAA continues to help Duke, which by definition hurts Kentucky, then yes, I will continue to do my part to bring them back to a level playing field. It's worth pointing out that we are about to punish a kid (I only agree with the punishment because it makes Cal look good) for something that's not a big deal.. certainly not "royally".. yet Coach K watched his player try to injure the other team on multiple occasions and still did nothing.

I've said before.. He's that parent the the park who's kids want to cause trouble, and will never take responsibility. It's always someone else's fault. It's always another kid (Oregon) causing the problem, never his own.

 

[Blue Decade]

He didn't even come close to "royally screwing up".. Is that serious? If drinking in public is a royal screw-up, then what would it be called if he got behind the wheel? A National Tragedy? What then if he struck someone? The Apocalypse?

And as long as the SC/NCAA continues to help Duke, which by definition hurts Kentucky, then yes, I will continue to do my part to bring them back to a level playing field. It's worth pointing out that we are about to punish a kid (I only agree with the punishment because it makes Cal look good) for something that's not a big deal.. certainly not "royally".. yet.

Most people would be embarrassed to be associated with irresponsible statements like that. How old are you? It's time to hit the ignore prompt.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Old enough that I don't need to use an ignore button when someone's take doesn't align with mine. Maybe have a drink?

 

[Panthur]

Drunk and passed out in the street

Is this true or are you only guessing? Because I haven't seen any official context so far and it makes all the difference in the world. All I've heard/read is he was on the ground next to his open car door.

If his car was really along a county maintained road somewhere, along with the description of the smell of alcohol in the car, then it is tantemount to getting caught DUI behind the wheel and it is a huge deal. In that case he may even have gotten unfair favorable treatment already by not being actually charged with DUI.


On the other hand, if it was in a parking lot somewhere and he had friends around (his gf is described as being with him although that is not tied to a time) and if it was somewhere like a school parking lot or something and all they really planned to do was get drunk and sleep it off and never fire up the car....then come on they are kids whether you want to hang "young adults" on it at all and people are self-righteous pricks for even talking about it.

Has there any more official context?

 

[ulismyman]

Everyone in Derby infield should be arrested then

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I see there are now car implications. Admittedly, that changes this a lot.

 

[BBUK_anon]

I see there are now car implications. Admittedly, that changes this a lot.

Where did you see it if I can ask?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Sorry.. Just going on what some recent posts are. So i got nothing. Does sound like people have read new details.

 

[Bkocats]

As a fan, I understand the incentive to sugarcoat and minimize this. But, if reports are correct, this was NOT your typical every day case of college kid passes out drunk. Instead, he apparently was passed out drunk on the street right next to the open driver side door of his car. Which suggests not only that he'd been driving drunk, but driving when he was SO drunk he couldn't even maintain consciousness.

He's extremely lucky that he's not facing more serious charges.

he's extremely lucky no one was hurt

I love Derek as much as anyone here does - but this is NOT the time to minimize what he did. Forgive me if I come across as harsh, but I've lost family and friends to drunk driving; either as the driver, or as an innocent victim. Yeah, I know college kids drink, and I have no issue with that, really. But the minute someone gets behind the wheel - or tries to, it becomes a whole new situation. Derek was beyond drunk - he had become a danger to himself, and others.

Obviously, it's not my, or anyone else's call, what Cal will do, but I do hope to see strong disciplinary action. Not just to punish Derek, but to send a message to the rest of the team that this will NOT be tolerated.

 

[Bkocats]

he's extremely lucky no one was hurt

I love Derek as much as anyone here does - but this is NOT the time to minimize what he did. Forgive me if I come across as harsh, but I've lost family and friends to drunk driving; either as the driver, or as an innocent victim. Yeah, I know college kids drink, and I have no issue with that, really. But the minute someone gets behind the wheel - or tries to, it becomes a whole new situation. Derek was beyond drunk - he had become a danger to himself, and others.

Obviously, it's not my, or anyone else's call, what Cal will do, but I do hope to see strong disciplinary action. Not just to punish Derek, but to send a message to the rest of the team that this will NOT be tolerated.

**I do need to add this is based off what I've read that he was possibly driving, or getting ready to. I will also say, Derek was so drunk (based on reports) that he wouldn't have been able to make a responsible decision.

 

[JJ IN FLA]

No penalty for the drinking.........6 games for the mug shot.

 

[wall2rondo]

Just listened to Calipari on mike Lupica show. He said when he was hired he told president Todd he would not throw a kid under the bus at first sign of trouble. He said he would deal with each situation but he is not going to trash a kid for a mistake.

 

[pauled#1]

Just put that mug shot picture on the locker room door and call it good! Lol

 

[wall2rondo]

Just put that mug shot picture on the locker room door and call it good! Lol

Bust through it on senior day

 

[preacher_tom]

 

[wall2rondo]

Lost art

 

[BassCat75]

I think it's a pretty big leap to just assume he was driving or even intended to drive. There are any number of reasons to go to your car other than to drive. Even if he intended to drive, maybe he realized at the last minute that he shouldn't. I'd rather deal with the actual facts. He got arrested for AI. Make him run till he pukes, maybe suspend him a game or two tops and move on.

 

[CatFromDaHood]

I just can't see this meriting more than a one game suspension at worst. No need to make an example out of this kid

 

[UK90]

Wait ...dear sweet ole Andy advocating beating children?

Man, have times ever changed. That scene would likely cause a national uproar today.

 

[ville 77]

Maybe suspend him for the first exhibition game, Michigan State is too important to suspend for just passing out drunk. This isn't a DUI, let's not go crazy.

I don't care what they do with Willis since I am not a UK fan. Cal will decide what fit the programs needs while sending a message. Every player for all major schools knows they live a in fishbowl and I understand unlike some fans that we all live in glass houses. Every school has players get into trouble.

With that said saying "This isn't a DUI, let's not go crazy" is like sticking your head in the sand. The report said he was laying in the street with the drivers door open and told police he did not know where he was. Do you realize how close he was to driving that drunk? For that matter maybe he was drivng and stopped? Never said where he actually got drunk. The fact that he passed out before he sat in the car saved the DUI.

j

 

[Old Blue Fart]

Not sure if everyone knows this, but one of the attorneys for the Powell lady who has UL in so much crap, was found passed out inside a garbage can in the street. The man was some kind of public office holder as well at the time.
A professional like him can make a mistake, own up to it, pay his dues to whomever it is owed to (not us UK fans) and move on.
The kid made a serious mistake. The best part about his mistake is nobody was hurt.
Ever notice on the end of a pencil is an eraser? They put them on pencils so you can correct your mistakes. Derrick needs to find a way to erase this and move on.
Don't get me wrong fellow UK fans, I find this stupid on his part but I guess since I see athletes getting wasted often enough that I come to accept an occasional mistake.
From what I know about Derrick from others, you can bet his mom and dad are let down by this and maybe not to some on here, but to someone like Derrick, he is "feeling" it right now.
I say sit his *** in the restroom stall, stuff twinkee's in his mouth, run laps, dress up in a UL uniform and wear it to school for a week, then have him speak with some others who have lost a loved one to a drunken driver. If he doesn't learn from that, send him on down the road to UL and he would fit right in then.

 

[UK90]

I think it's a pretty big leap to just assume he was driving or even intended to.

Really? You think it a "leap" to think someone found on the road next to the open driver side door of his car probably was either driving or intended to drive? Good lord, talk about sticking your head in the sand. Yeah, I'm sure your take on that would be exactly the same if it'd been a UL, Duke or UNC player, right?

Look, I'll fully acknowledge that it's "possible" that intent to drive had nothing to do with why he was found in that situation. But I think anyone with common sense who's not been stricken with terminal blue blinder bias disease knows the truth is "probably" something different.

 

[Crawfords Corner]

Make him drink 1 of these. He'll never touch the stuff again.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

2 exhibition games
(more than that punishes the team as much as it does him)
But it gives someone else the opportunity to show what they can do, which in turn could hurt his future PT (but probably won't).

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

As his punishment, Cal will make him play defense this season.

 

[LogicalCat]

Make him drink 1 of these. He'll never touch the stuff again.

Can you find these over here? I had a few back in the day. Loved them but you had to drink them sparingly.

On the topic here,
Derrick didn't do anymore than what most college kids do from time to time. I expect Cal to "send a message" Laps/Suicides extra morning workouts perhaps and then a game or three suspension depending on the other facts of the case. Trust in Cal to handle it.

 

[.S&C.]

LOL! The way coaches handle stupid stunts like this WILL influence the school's reputation, and the coach's reputation too. Kentucky's administrators and corporate consultants know this. It's what I do for a living. Calipari certainly understands it. No way Calipari mismanages this. If such things do not influence the school's reputation in your eyes, then you are in the minority. It amazes me that some people here are so worried about beating Michigan State that they are unwilling or unable to look at this like full grown adults. In the 1st place, I don't accept the premise that Kentucky won't beat Willis without Willis. But that is beside the point. Losing a game shorthanded is nothing compared to making stupid, shortsighted decisions in public about a player's future health and safety. Calipari knows this, so expect a suspension. Just hope nobody else is involved.

No, you see, UK emphasizes and mandates communications and optics management to our players because they want them to understand how they're just like every other student and to act accordingly.

 

[KA4Prez_rivals78700]

10 game suspension? LOL?

 

[JohnKBA]

As a fan, I understand the incentive to sugarcoat and minimize this. But, if reports are correct, this was NOT your typical every day case of college kid passes out drunk. Instead, he apparently was passed out drunk on the street right next to the open driver side door of his car. Which suggests not only that he'd been driving drunk, but driving when he was SO drunk he couldn't even maintain consciousness.

He's extremely lucky that he's not facing more serious charges.

Maybe he was so drunk he opened the car door but was never able to get in and drive. Unless Tom Cruise from Precrime is working the case, you can't charge him with a DUI.

 

[wildcatdon]

Never lost anyone to a drunk driver have you.

You dont know that he was driving..

 

[jc2010]

Who was giving firewater to that indian?

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

You dont know that he was driving..

Yeah he just mysteriously wound up in a neighborhood 100+ miles away, passed out cold the wide open drivers door of his
car, lying in the road at 4:30 am, admitting to be wasted, with his girlfriend in the front passenger seat.

How many times did your girlfriend ride shotgun with another man at the wheel?