I confess, they may still do that. It may be the reason others have transferred out of the program. But it absolutely confounds me that he wasn't offered sooner--before he was offered a walk-on, and then a "preferred" walk-on. Let me count the ways.
--The kid can play! Okay, it's against Class C competition. Okay, he needs to bulk up, and would need to adjust to a higher level of competition, just as Timmy Falls has. But hasn't he demonstrated he's deserved a shot? Have you seen his handle? His left hand?
--Sure, Division I ball would be a challenge for him. But hasn't he demonstrated an ability to overcome challenges? His whole life has been a challenge, in ways unimaginable to a privileged white kid like myself. Trust me: In life, character is destiny. This kid has character. As a coach or a boss, you always want to be on the side of character.
--He's now become a Montana legend, up there with Larry Pretty Weasel, Elvis Old Bull and George Yelloweyes--a legend even confirmed by the New York Times. This is one recruit who would pay for his scholarship in ticket sales.
--We are the University of MONTANA. Philip is a Montana kid. You know from my posts that I am not a homer, that I've urged the Lady Griz program to go out of state and recruit more black kids, and that I love the way DeCuire has recruited for the men's program. But this is one time I feel we owe it to a Montana kid--who loves the Griz and wants to play for us--to have a shot ahead of an out-of-state player.
--And oh, yes, there's a backup plan. Quite simply, we try it and it doesn't work out. Don't you think there are any number of Frontier Conference schools that would welcome him in a heartbeat? Montana Tech has and would.
The sad thing about minority status in this country is that minorities can never escape the stereotypes we have burdened them with. Read James Baldwin on this, one of the great African-American writers, and one of my all-time favorite authors. Here's our chance to tell young Mr. Malatare, we have seen your games, watched your tapes, witnessed your talent. You are good! You can play! And you are coming here as a full-fledged scholarship player, PERIOD, just like the two girls that Shannon just recruited from Missoula who never won a state championship, or the three kids who just left our program because they couldn't see much playing time in the future. Jeez.
--The kid can play! Okay, it's against Class C competition. Okay, he needs to bulk up, and would need to adjust to a higher level of competition, just as Timmy Falls has. But hasn't he demonstrated he's deserved a shot? Have you seen his handle? His left hand?
--Sure, Division I ball would be a challenge for him. But hasn't he demonstrated an ability to overcome challenges? His whole life has been a challenge, in ways unimaginable to a privileged white kid like myself. Trust me: In life, character is destiny. This kid has character. As a coach or a boss, you always want to be on the side of character.
--He's now become a Montana legend, up there with Larry Pretty Weasel, Elvis Old Bull and George Yelloweyes--a legend even confirmed by the New York Times. This is one recruit who would pay for his scholarship in ticket sales.
--We are the University of MONTANA. Philip is a Montana kid. You know from my posts that I am not a homer, that I've urged the Lady Griz program to go out of state and recruit more black kids, and that I love the way DeCuire has recruited for the men's program. But this is one time I feel we owe it to a Montana kid--who loves the Griz and wants to play for us--to have a shot ahead of an out-of-state player.
--And oh, yes, there's a backup plan. Quite simply, we try it and it doesn't work out. Don't you think there are any number of Frontier Conference schools that would welcome him in a heartbeat? Montana Tech has and would.
The sad thing about minority status in this country is that minorities can never escape the stereotypes we have burdened them with. Read James Baldwin on this, one of the great African-American writers, and one of my all-time favorite authors. Here's our chance to tell young Mr. Malatare, we have seen your games, watched your tapes, witnessed your talent. You are good! You can play! And you are coming here as a full-fledged scholarship player, PERIOD, just like the two girls that Shannon just recruited from Missoula who never won a state championship, or the three kids who just left our program because they couldn't see much playing time in the future. Jeez.