In January, LB Nate Vaiomounga was charged with criminal mischief under $500 for allegedly breaking a window in a residence hall and former FB Kai Maiava was cited for underage possession and consumption of alcohol. Maiava has since transfered to UCLA to play for Slick Rick.
In March of this year, Riar Greer, probable starting TE for the season, was ac
cused of attacking two students at an off-campus party. His football season is in jeopardy while we await his arraignment on July 18th. Also in early March, star recruit Lynn Katoa was arrested on suspicion of second degree assault. He has since been suspended for the 2008 season and will red shirt. Katoa was expected to see action in his freshman year especially after the loss of Jordan Dizon to the NFL.In April, potential starting LB Jake Duren was booted off the team for suspicion of first-degree criminal trespassing after being found bloody and smelling of alcohol in a hallway of the housing complex after smashing a car window.
In May, former DB Clyde Surrell, who was at the heart of the University of Colorado recruiting scandal in 2000, is once again reliving that past as a women is asking a judge to press charges against Surrell for an alleged rape in high school. During the 2000 season, Surrell was at the infamous party that began the CU scandal. Surrell was charged with providing alcohol to minors in 2001.
Just this week, Michael Sipili, a LB who was suspended last year for the entire season as he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault after badly beating another student, was sued for injuries stemming from the same incident that led to the victim having long-term disfigurement and traumatic brain injuries. Christopher Perri, a former DL for the Buffs, was also sued for the same incident due to his role in instigating the ordeal.
And just today, former Buffs QB Bernard Jackson and DB Lionel Harris were arrested in connection with armed robbery of a Boulder complex. Basically, they broke into an apartment, pulled a couple guns and demanded cash. Both should be going away for a long time after being booked with first degree burglary, aggravated robbery and felony menacing. According to police reports, Jackson and Harris may also be linked to several other incidents that have happened in the same area. Jackson was the often embattled quarterback in Hawkins first year as coach of the Buffs. A Barnett recruit, Jackson should never have seen a Big 12 football field as a QB but with injuries and lack of talent at the position, Jackson was forced into action and never had the tools to compete. Its just one more incident to add to the total in the past year.
Also, Sophomore Kendrick Celestine, a WR that runs a 4.4 forty who was expected to be a dynamic big play player, is fighting for his eligibility as he needs to get a B in a summer course or else he will be eligible for the upcoming year. I know its not assault which seems to be popular among CU football players this year but it still impacts the team greatly.
We are definitely proponents of Hawkins and the expectations for CU in the next couple of years shows promise in the program but this off-season is not the way to build a reputation for recruiting, the University of Colorado administration or potential donors. I know Hawkins knows that but before we have second major scandal in Boulder, Hawkins needs to gain control of his players. Yes, some of the arrests listed above deal with former Buffs but it still puts a black eye on the program. And I know that tons of non-football playing CU students are cited and arrested everyday but playing D1 football is a privilege and it comes with more responsibility. Until CU players start acting professional, the program may not be first class either.
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