DUI: Michael A Chavez, 22, of Missoula

[Mslacat]

It's old news. By all accounts, Mike is now doing OK and is on the verge of regaining his eligibility. I'm proud of Krysko for standing by him. Remember, Mike does not have a scholarship.

When Michael Ray Richardson played for UM I was a Griz, and I idolized him. I knew where he lived, and my buddies would go and hang out over there (only a couple blocks from our homes) One day my mom sat me down and told me a few stories about the Michael Ray Richardson most Griz fans did not know about. It effected how I looked at the man. He was no longer my hero. Then he went to the NBA and man he straitened out his life. He was kicked out of the NBA for a year, but he came back and proclaimed healed and a role model, even NBA comeback player of the year. Then he promptly gets busted for drugs again and banned for life I can repeat this story for countless other drug/alcohol addicts (famous or not) who have been proclaimed on the strait and narrow. When I was in school I had two very good friends who each got a DUI during their college career. They used this bump in the road as a wake up call. Both are now very successful adults and never had another problem. I have supported Chavez on this board before this, because it truly looked like after his problems a few year back he too, had used the experienced as life changing event. Everything that I had heard was that Chavez had made great strides and was almost back and ready to contribute to the basketball team. I don't care whether the DUI happened yesterday or last July. It was well over a year or more from the original DUI. What has he learned from the original DUI? Are you now telling me 4 months later he has finally learned his lesson? I am not as naive as I was when I was a teenager. I am not willing to accept that, a DUI is simply too serious to continue hope he has learned his lesson. As others have indicated this problem is most likely not about "learning a lesson" it most likely has deeper roots.

Despite Chavez being a Griz, I really, really wanted him to succeed on so many levels, but I am not drinking to cool-aid any more. I am all for giving a person a second chance, but I also think you have to hold them accountable at some point.

 

[Grizbacker1]

There was a day when people were happy to see someone trying to make something of themselves. I guess some people only believe in one strike and your out. I guess they are such great people nothing like that could ever happen to them, or their loved ones. Perhaps they think anyone who gets a DUI is an alcoholic, if they do then they really don't know jack about the disease.

Alcoholism has never been about consumption, it is all about behaviour. You don't have to be a stumble down drunk to be an alcoholic. There are genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors that influence how the disease develops and manifests itself. To anyone who has spent any time in places like where Mike grew up, it should ome as no surprise he is afflicted as well, since the rate of alcoholism there is over 95%.

I would hope Mslacat reconsiders his feelings toward Mike. I doubt he has ever taken the time to sit down and talk to him or offer any kind of support and encouragement. It is so much easier to toss him to the curb and say Krysko is partially to blame for trying to help him.

As good as Mike is in BB, I could care less if he ever makes another hoop if he can get clean and live one day at a time.

 

[MrG]

Twenty some ears ago I had reason to be in Heart Butte a bit. I am not going to belittle anyone’s home town, but wish Godspeed to anyone trying to escape the gravitational pull exerted by that place. They deserve all the encouragment, and support possible.

I have no opinion as to weather MC has struck out or not, but certainly, reasonable people might come to different conclusions on this. I for one would imagine the AD and Kysco have more facts with which to render a decision. I trust their decision is what they think best for MC.

 

[evergriz]

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/11/18/sports/sports05.txt

 

[ahaugen_05]

Twenty some ears ago I had reason to be in Heart Butte a bit. I am not going to belittle anyone’s home town, but wish Godspeed to anyone trying to escape the gravitational pull exerted by that place. They deserve all the encouragment, and support possible.

the truly sad thing about Heart Butte is that if it wasn't a reservation town, it would be over run with californians

i had two football games there back in high school, and the weather would always start of 70 and sunny, go to 30 and drizzle, and end up at 40 and snow

 

[DuCharme]

Twenty some ears ago I had reason to be in Heart Butte a bit. I am not going to belittle anyone’s home town, but wish Godspeed to anyone trying to escape the gravitational pull exerted by that place. They deserve all the encouragment, and support possible.

I have no opinion as to weather MC has struck out or not, but certainly, reasonable people might come to different conclusions on this. I for one would imagine the AD and Kysco have more facts with which to render a decision. I trust their decision is what they think best for MC.

Yep, lil ol' Heart Butte is just growing by leaps and bounds because of the 'gravitational pull' it has. :loser:

 

[DuCharme]

Here's the essential info from the article Ducharme linked above:

I could be wrong, but I dont think that was me. heh heh