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Chavez, time to grow up

W

williamspo

Well-known member
Kaimin Campus Report, Friday, March 18, 2:30 a.m.
A University of Montana student living in Aber Hall was arrested after the Office of Public Safety received a report that he was screaming at a group of women outside the dorm and causing a disturbance.
“I don’t know why he was screaming at the girls,” said Capt. Jim Lemcke, assistant director of public safety.
The suspect, Michael Chavez, a UM sophomore, was arrested after officers discovered he had an arrest warrant for driving with a suspended license, Lemcke said.
 
williamspo said:
Kaimin Campus Report, Friday, March 18, 2:30 a.m.
A University of Montana student living in Aber Hall was arrested after the Office of Public Safety received a report that he was screaming at a group of women outside the dorm and causing a disturbance.
“I don’t know why he was screaming at the girls,” said Capt. Jim Lemcke, assistant director of public safety.
The suspect, Michael Chavez, a UM sophomore, was arrested after officers discovered he had an arrest warrant for driving with a suspended license, Lemcke said.
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Sad. At what point is enough, enough? The University and both coaching staffs have been more than patient and have afforded this kid a tremendous opportunity...........there has to be a line drawn somewhere.
 
Alcoholism is a disease. In native americans it is particularly insidious.
It is not something a person can contol by willpower; they must be willing to follow a lifelong program. I don't know what kind of counseling he has had but I am not sure a college campus would be a good place to start.
 
I think Krysko probably knows more about Mike's situation than anyone on this board. I trust him to make the right decision. I also think using words like "cancer" is not necessary or appropriate. :-?
 
This is too bad. Last year Chavez helped coach during the Griz competition camp, and he was really good with the kids, they could relate to him and he taught them things (the team he coached won the 5 on 5 competition). Even if he never plays basketball again (and I gotta think he has used up all his chances here) I hope he can straighten things out and sticks it out and get his degree - it would be nice to see him use his abilities and coaching kids someday.
 
:-? wolfman-why the outburst? "Resident politically correct"-where does that come from, one post? I don't think Mike's difficulties have been a "cancer" on the team. Krysko did not give him a scholarship last year and stated that he would have to earn it back. I simply don't think he has adversely affected the team. Take it easy. :wink:
 
What he needs to do is look at (I believe her name is ) Malia Kipp??? She was the Native American who played for the Lady Griz in the mid-nineties.....she represented her heritage very well and was never doing anything to cause trouble....
 
why do you ever give chavez a schlorship? The govt. is going to pay his way through school. I don't care what race you are you have to have some self control and not do dumb shit as minor as it may be. I think the fact that he is native american has given him a little more leeway as far as the rules go and everyone gives him the benefit of the doubt. Hate to bring this up but i think mick durham was correct when analyzing most native americans that live on the rez. they get in a comfort zone and really all they need to do is kick back and drink the old e and smoke the peottie. question how many average white guys with the same same skills as chavez would get a chance to play if the repeatidly did dumb shit?
 
As unpopular as it may be I think gnam assesment is correct in many ways. I have lived on the reservation and the pattern that he describes is prevelent among many of the native American families. Of course there are also many upstanding and hardworking Native Americans on the reservations also. The main problem as I see it is simply low expectations. No one expects most of the Native Americans on the reservations to do anything so they don't in some cases. As far as Mike Chaves is concerned people need to quit babying him along. Anyone who has spent anytime in Browning should be able to understand what the root of his problem is, it is truely the most depressing place I have ever seen. Unfourtuantly, though Mr. Chaves either needs grow up or get out. Hopefully, he will get his act together whether it be at UM or somewere else because he has a rare oppertunity to be someone for the young Native American kids to look up to and if he simply ends up being seen as a drunk screw up that never lived up to his potential then it will be just another disappointment.
 
As unpopular as it may be I think gnam assesment is correct in many ways. I have lived on the reservation and the pattern that he describes is prevelent among many of the native American families. Of course there are also many upstanding and hardworking Native Americans on the reservations also. The main problem as I see it is simply low expectations. No one expects most of the Native Americans on the reservations to do anything so they don't in some cases. As far as Mike Chaves is concerned people need to quit babying him along. Anyone who has spent anytime in Browning should be able to understand what the root of his problem is, it is truely the most depressing place I have ever seen. Unfourtuantly, though Mr. Chaves either needs grow up or get out. Hopefully, he will get his act together whether it be at UM or somewere else because he has a rare oppertunity to be someone for the young Native American kids to look up to and if he simply ends up being seen as a drunk screw up that never lived up to his potential then it will be just another disappointment.
 
In my work, I deal with Native Americans virtually every day. There is no doubt that gman's and FLGRIZ's comments are racist and absolutely uncalled for. There are good guys and bad guys everywhere, in every social and racial strata -- picking on Mike Chavez just isn't a worthy way for people to spend their time. I don't think he's been given any more 'breaks' and consideration than any other good athlete -- I don't approve of the second and third chances superior athletes always get over non-athletic students, but I don't think Mike's extra chances have had anything to do with being Native American.
 
gman said:
why do you ever give chavez a schlorship? The govt. is going to pay his way through school. I don't care what race you are you have to have some self control and not do dumb s**t as minor as it may be. I think the fact that he is native american has given him a little more leeway as far as the rules go and everyone gives him the benefit of the doubt. Hate to bring this up but i think mick durham was correct when analyzing most native americans that live on the rez. they get in a comfort zone and really all they need to do is kick back and drink the old e and smoke the peottie. question how many average white guys with the same same skills as chavez would get a chance to play if the repeatidly did dumb s**t?
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You comment about the Government paying for school shows exactly how much you dont know about Native Americana. Are there programs for native students that allow them to go to school fee of monetary value yes. However there is a catch tho those programs. They are programs, usually in the medical or phamacy field, require you to work on a reservation for three to five years. Also most of these programs are also open to non natives, but for obvious reasons priority is given to native americans. Also, these arent a handout. there are standard you have to meet as well as repercussions if you do not meet them. Not everyone is elegible for these as well, one needs to apply and be accepted to the program.

You seriously have no idea what you are talking about. If you did youwould also know that Smoking Peyoete is completely legal for tribal members that practice that religion. However, Peyote isnt smoked by the northern plains indians, of which Chavez and all indians anywhere near montana are.

Im part native myself and I can tell you that it is opinions like yours that help foster a sense of helplessness among indians.

That being said I am not excusing Chavez for his actions. Indian or not you have to take reponsibility at some point in your life. I think it is probably time for the Grizzly Bball team to move on without Mike, its unfortuanate as he had a chance (and still does) to be a real positive thing for natives, I just think a change of scenery might be in order for him. Im sure there is a smaller school out there somewhere that will take a chance on him.
 
I really feel bad for Mike, he has so much pressure on him. He has a drinking problem, and that prompts others to point out negative sterotypes on a message board that really have no merit. I grew up near the blackfeet reservation, and know many indian families that live on the reservation including some members of the tribal council. They are quite aware of the fact that alcohalism and unemployment are big problems on the res, but they have made some process in recent years. Recently Browning has expanded and remodeled their community college, and have seen improvements in their secondary eductation, and sending kids away to college. I know a couple of kids that go to school here from Browning and Heart Butte. They are very smart kids who have made it their goal to go back to the res and to try and solve some of these problems. Beleive me, they work just as hard if not harder than anyone to pay for their school. The only thing g-man was right about is that their is a comfort zone on the reservations, but that's only because the tribe is so close, and functions as a family. I'm very confident in saying that you will see large strides in the improvement of living on the blackfeet reservation. I think that the tribe has gotten it right in emphasising their focus on improving education, this will create more jobs on the res, lowering unemployment, and squelching the alcohalism problem. I'm not giving up on Mike yet, he's a good kid and a very good player. I wish him luck in recovery, and so should everyone else.
 
Chavez graduated with Leo Bullchild. Bullchild is having one heck of a career at MSU-Northern. Started a lot of games this year as a sophmore. Outstanding young man with a tremndous work ethic. He has been a real asset to the Lights. There are a lot of problems on the reservations but kids can and do get ahead. Bullchild is a great example.
 
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