Ellis Declares For The Draft

[George Ferguson]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

I knew you had one good post in you, you are 100% correct in everything you typed.

 

[grizindabox]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

nailed it.....

 

[EverettGriz]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

Good post, Hav.

 

[Sam A. Blitz]

Good job Havre. Was going to post the same sentiments, but you did a better job than I could have attempted.

 

[HookedonGriz]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

HavGriz digs in....it's a 3-2 count....here's the pitch.....and that ball is hit deep....back back back back....annnnnd gooooone! It's a home run by HavGriz....oh what a shot!!

 

[AZGrizFan]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

I knew you had one good post in you, you are 100% correct in everything you typed.

And now he's spent. :lol:

 

[CDAGRIZ]

I agree. Everyone who isn't a Cat fan comments on how pathetic they are all the time, but this aspect is the most puzzling thing about the program. Who is driving the boat on the Cat Mouth thing? I hate the Cats as much as anyone, but it almost makes me feel bad to make fun of them for the Cat Mouth. It's like a "bless their little hearts" thing. I almost hope to learn that they do it because a sick little boy told Ron Ash it would be his dream to see the players enter the stadium, sneak into an inflatable Cat Mouth purchased from Earl's Used Car Lot Inflatable Crazy Arm Guy and Cat Mouth Supply Store, and then run out of the Cat Mouth like they were never there before. That would make it less surreal. Maybe Choade will put an end to it.

I call that boat the USS Hair Bawl as it chokingly coughs that team into the stadium

U
Pretty solid name. I understand how it might be cool to a special teams player from Ekalaka, but I wonder what the players from Austin or Waco think of this charade. They probably want to stay in there more often than not.

History would suggest that beginning the first of each November, this is precisely what happens.

Which stands to reason. A man, even the lesser-type recruited by Lilbro State, can only endure so much humiliation before they begin to rebel.

Spot on. Legend has it that Prekopp didn't want to participate in the Cat Mouth thing. It may or may not have led to his departure from that dying program. I wish him the best on his great decision.

 

[Triwest]

I debated on even responding to this thread, but those GRIZ fans trying to rip UM for this situation seem to be choosing to ignore a very basic fact. To play a college sport the NCAA level you must maintain a certain GPA and credit requirement towards a degree. In this case, that was not met, plain and simple. This player was given multiple chances to meet those requirements at UM and didn't do it.

Now, do I completely just blame Ellis Henderson for not being able to do it? Heck no. Regular students with little to no burdens in their life struggle with college every single day. He has health issues that go well beyond football and the classroom, and I won't even pretend to imagine how hard they are. I read his story and many, many others like him and I wouldn't wish what EH is going through on my worst enemy. He has my utmost respect for battling his disease and for making a go of it as a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I football program, something that's not easy to do no matter who you are. I've met EH and he is a great guy, so likeable and a guy who has a tremendous amount of character and integrity. So, I'm not going to bag on him one bit, and I'm going to be a huge fan of his forever and cheer for him in whatever he does.

But, in regards to why he is no longer a Griz football player, at the end of the day, he did not meet the basic requirements to maintain his academic eligibility, and for Griz fans to just lay all that at the doorstep of UM and, in large part, Bob Stitt, it's just completely wrong. UM athletics does very, very well in helping its student athletes cope and manage their academic eligibility in a very professional manner. I've been fortunate to witness it first hand. But, no matter what you do for a student-athlete, and no matter what burdens that student-athlete may carry in his or her life, at the end of the day, it is his or her responsibility ultimately to maintain the academic requirements set forth by the program they play for, the school they attend and the NCAA.

I knew you had one good post in you, you are 100% correct in everything you typed.

Very good and real post.

 

[firmgriz]

Damn, I find myself agreeing with AG1 on this one too, and mental illness is a significant issue in my family life. I knew you had a heart AG1. Don't worry you're secret is safe with us. Nice post.

 

[Fahque]

Not ready is pretty much the same thing as not willing in this day and age.

The fact is, UM often times does a piss poor job of accommodating individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with invisible disabilities. There is no excuse for it and they've had multiple complaints filed against them for such things. Maybe he is not aware of the accommodations he could request, I don't know?

I am sorry that Henderson chose to just leave it all behind rather than fighting for it, though I don't really blame him.

I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of an NFL position, but I wonder if he would not have been better off transferring or trying to stick it out for one more year rather than declaring for the draft.

being academically ineligible was the issue....which has been stated many times....he wasn't going to be able to play...

He could have sat out another year and got his grades back up could he not?

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

 

[grizindabox]

being academically ineligible was the issue....which has been stated many times....he wasn't going to be able to play...

He could have sat out another year and got his grades back up could he not?

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

He already went through the process...next season would have been his sixth year....but he wasn't going to be eligible because of academics.....

 

[Triwest]

being academically ineligible was the issue....which has been stated many times....he wasn't going to be able to play...

He could have sat out another year and got his grades back up could he not?

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

He was on an established and agreed upon plan to re-establish eligibility and did not meet the required progress.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

He could have sat out another year and got his grades back up could he not?

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

He was on an established and agreed upon plan to re-establish eligibility and did not meet the required progress.

Interesting. I don't expect you'll respond, but what is the source of your information on the agreed upon, and established plan? I had not heard about an established and agreed upon plan previously, so I was wondering if you could shed light on the established and agreed upon plan. What are the terms of the established an agreed upon plan? How does it differ from the other plans? When was it established? Who agreed upon it? Thanks in advance for what I expect to be a non-response.

 

[George Ferguson]

In the simplest of terms, Ellis wasn't initially academically eligible for the 2015 season because he withdrew from school during the 2014 season. He wanted to return to school, and UM went and helped him get a waiver from the Big Sky Conference and the NCAA to return and play in 2015. He had academic requirements to meet based on that hardship waiver. He did not meet them.

 

[AZGrizFan]

being academically ineligible was the issue....which has been stated many times....he wasn't going to be able to play...

He could have sat out another year and got his grades back up could he not?

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

NExt year would have BEEN his 6th year.

 

[Triwest]

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

He was on an established and agreed upon plan to re-establish eligibility and did not meet the required progress.

Interesting. I don't expect you'll respond, but what is the source of your information on the agreed upon, and established plan? I had not heard about an established and agreed upon plan previously, so I was wondering if you could shed light on the established and agreed upon plan. What are the terms of the established an agreed upon plan? How does it differ from the other plans? When was it established? Who agreed upon it? Thanks in advance for what I expect to be a non-response.

NCAA regulations when a player withdraws from school for whatever reason (medical included) to be eligible to return, an academic plan is established to return the player to eligibility is set up ( is part of the waiver others have referred to). The football team has academic advisors that work with the players. Progress needs to be made and reported. Ellis was unable to meet the requirements. I have addressed these issues in the past with my own players.

 

[Fahque]

Thanks to everyone for bringing me up to speed :thumb:

 

[CV Griz Fan]

not with only 1 season of eligibility remaining....

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

He was on an established and agreed upon plan to re-establish eligibility and did not meet the required progress.

Interesting. I don't expect you'll respond, but what is the source of your information on the agreed upon, and established plan? I had not heard about an established and agreed upon plan previously, so I was wondering if you could shed light on the established and agreed upon plan. What are the terms of the established an agreed upon plan? How does it differ from the other plans? When was it established? Who agreed upon it? Thanks in advance for what I expect to be a non-response.

Not knowing the particulars in his case, I'm sure a big part of the plan was getting back on track to graduate in a "timely" manner. You have to keep up from a credits perspective. So if you're a senior, you probably need at least 90 applicable credits on your transcripts. EH undoubtedly didn't have what's required.....

 

[Triwest]

There has to be some type of waiver. How do some of these players get six years of eligibility?

He was on an established and agreed upon plan to re-establish eligibility and did not meet the required progress.

Interesting. I don't expect you'll respond, but what is the source of your information on the agreed upon, and established plan? I had not heard about an established and agreed upon plan previously, so I was wondering if you could shed light on the established and agreed upon plan. What are the terms of the established an agreed upon plan? How does it differ from the other plans? When was it established? Who agreed upon it? Thanks in advance for what I expect to be a non-response.

Not knowing the particulars in his case, I'm sure a big part of the plan was getting back on track to graduate in a "timely" manner. You have to keep up from a credits perspective. So if you're a senior, you probably need at least 90 applicable credits on your transcripts. EH undoubtedly didn't have what's required.....

Correct