Did Iowa Jump The Gun?
In a news conference yesterday, University of Iowa athletic director Bob Bowlsby and head basketball coach Steve Alford kicked Pierre Pierce off the team. Pierce was the leading scorer for the Hawkeyes, averaging nearly 18 points per game. The junior guard has been in trouble before, having been charged with third-degree sexual assault which caused him to miss the entire 2002-2003 season. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge (assault causing injury) and was allowed back onto the team with the understanding that being involved in another off-court incident would result in his dismissal from the team.
Now, Pierce is the subject of an investigation by West Des Moines police. That is what prompted university officials to kick him off the team.
I can only assume the athletic department at Iowa knows more about the most recent situation than the general public. Publicly, we're only being told that Pierce spent more than two hours with investigators Wednesday night. If that is truly the extent of anyone's knowledge, then Iowa should have waited for more facts before kicking Pierce off the team.
With the past conviction, it's easy to think, "He must have done it." Whatever "it" is in this case. But, at least publicly, we don't have any idea if he did anything wrong. It's entirely possible Pierce was in the wrong place at the wrong time and is completely innocent this time. If that were the case, kicking him off the team would be a mistake.
But Iowa did give him the boot, suggesting Pierce's guilt. I don't believe Steve Alford would remove his best player from the team without some pretty strong evidence that he broke the law...again.
If Pierce did break the law, and the facts will certainly come out soon enough, then it's time to commend the Iowa athletic department. It's not easy for a coach to dismiss his leading scorer. At many school's, something like this would be swept under the rug. Alford's squad is ranked 28th in the nation and his job depends on fielding a winning team. Losing Pierce will undoubtedly hurt the squad's chances. But it's the right thing to do.
Because of that, I say--and you might want to make a copy of this because as an Iowa State fan I don't say this very often--I'm pulling for the Hawkeyes.
Now, Pierce is the subject of an investigation by West Des Moines police. That is what prompted university officials to kick him off the team.
I can only assume the athletic department at Iowa knows more about the most recent situation than the general public. Publicly, we're only being told that Pierce spent more than two hours with investigators Wednesday night. If that is truly the extent of anyone's knowledge, then Iowa should have waited for more facts before kicking Pierce off the team.
With the past conviction, it's easy to think, "He must have done it." Whatever "it" is in this case. But, at least publicly, we don't have any idea if he did anything wrong. It's entirely possible Pierce was in the wrong place at the wrong time and is completely innocent this time. If that were the case, kicking him off the team would be a mistake.
But Iowa did give him the boot, suggesting Pierce's guilt. I don't believe Steve Alford would remove his best player from the team without some pretty strong evidence that he broke the law...again.
If Pierce did break the law, and the facts will certainly come out soon enough, then it's time to commend the Iowa athletic department. It's not easy for a coach to dismiss his leading scorer. At many school's, something like this would be swept under the rug. Alford's squad is ranked 28th in the nation and his job depends on fielding a winning team. Losing Pierce will undoubtedly hurt the squad's chances. But it's the right thing to do.
Because of that, I say--and you might want to make a copy of this because as an Iowa State fan I don't say this very often--I'm pulling for the Hawkeyes.
posted by Joe Siple | 10:00 AM
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