Article about Sam Maniscalco

[Interested Observer]

he also graduated from Bradley then wanted to pursue a post-grad curriculum that BU did not have - all according to NCAA rules...so in effect he put his academics ahead of athletics.

And Russell Wilson chose Wisconsin for the exact same reason. Right. No, Wilson chose Wisconsin because the NC St. coach forced him to make a decision between baseball and football. Sam chose to leave Bradley because Les is no longer here. It was just convenient Illinois had a grad program BU didn't offer.

From that article, it doesn't sound Sam will help Illinois as much as he and Weber thought. He better be putting the academic side ahead of the athletics.

 

[shaunguth]

he also graduated from Bradley then wanted to pursue a post-grad curriculum that BU did not have - all according to NCAA rules...so in effect he put his academics ahead of athletics.

My thoughts exactly! I love how some people label Sammy a traitor after he graduated!

 

[shaunguth]

He bailed on his team mates because he was mad with the administration because they fired jim Les.

Funny how they still enjoy visiting each other in their free time. :roll:

 

[shaunguth]

Sam chose to leave Bradley because Les is no longer here.

If that's true, why is he seemingly not allowed to continue his education since he has graduated from Bradley? I guess coaches are allowed to not finish their contract willingly or otherwise, but players aren't allowed to do the same, especially AFTER they have graduated and given four years to the school?

 

[Bravesfan]

If that's true, why is he seemingly not allowed to continue his education since he has graduated from Bradley? I guess coaches are allowed to not finish their contract willingly or otherwise, but players aren't allowed to do the same, especially AFTER they have graduated and given four years to the school?

I couldn't agree more! I wish him luck in his final year of college, and hope his recovery isn't as long as it may be. It probably would not have made much difference if he stuck around at Bradley this year as his playing time may be limited.

 

[SFP]

I have nothing but good will for SM so let's get that out of the way. Illinois on the other hand? I hope they are just average which will can only help BU's in-state recruiting a bit easier.

Let's not twist anyone's message. I've been very consistent about my sentiments of SM.

Yes, Future Walk On anyone that goes and works for the competition becomes a work enemy. It does not mean I do not like the person anymore it just means we will compete against each other. :-o

 

[Interested Observer]

If that's true, why is he seemingly not allowed to continue his education since he has graduated from Bradley? I guess coaches are allowed to not finish their contract willingly or otherwise, but players aren't allowed to do the same, especially AFTER they have graduated and given four years to the school?

Never said he wasn't allowed to continue his education. Just saying it's disingenuous to say the reason he isn't finishing his career where he started is all due to educational opportunities Illinois has that Bradley doesn't.

Question to those that fully support Sam's decision to transfer and the reason given for that transfer: Would Sam still have taken advatage of the transfer rule is Les remained as coach?

My guess is that the use of this transfer rule isn't exactly being used because of educational purposes. The three that I can recall (Sam, Wilson, and Kevin Kruger from ASU to UNLV) all had extenuating circumstances behind the move besides the "educational" opportunity.

 

[shaunguth]

Question to those that fully support Sam's decision to transfer and the reason given for that transfer: Would Sam still have taken advatage of the transfer rule is Les remained as coach?

I'm sure Sam could answer that question much better than I can. I'm guessing probably not, but doesn't he have every right to do so without being called a traitor, being told to "break a leg", being told to get another coach fired, and I'm sure much more!

We're talking about the man that recruited him how many years ago being fired in a way Sam may not have agreed with. We're talking about someone that gave Bradley University four years and graduated! I really don't see what the big deal is with wishing him luck. Am I more of an Illinois fan than I was before....NO. Will I be more interested in watching them this season....YES.....if Sam is getting playing time.

 

[tornado]

....The three that I can recall (Sam, Wilson, and Kevin Kruger from ASU to UNLV) all had extenuating circumstances behind the move besides the "educational" opportunity.

Missouri State has Mike Bizoukas who transferred from DePaul...and he'll probably be a starter..and a certain Hoosier might use the rule at the end of this season

And anyway - if anyone should be the final answer as to whether SM is judged to be a traitor - wouldn't it be his own teammates who he has transferred from?

 

[lefty]

I guess anyone should be able to make their own claim but the others don't have to agree.
I don't think of Sam as a traitor at all. He didn't like what happened so he left...and he did it right and that's his perrogative.....

 

[Da Coach]

If I chose a college because they had a great business or engineering curriculum, and great professors, then the school fired all the professors, I would leave and finish my education elsewhere. I suspect nearly 100% of the posters here would do the same thing, or at least strongly consider such a move. So why should Sammy be held to a different standard and be called a traitor?

 

[Braves4Life]

But what if they fired just one of the mediocre ones? :lol:

 

[Da Coach]

Nice try- but regardless what some lesser fans )) who didn't have any courses with him thought of him, if I considered him top notch, and he was the entire reason I went to that school, of course I'd leave if he was fired.
Sorry if that comparison doesn't seem similar to you, but I think most of us would do the same thing if we were in his situation.

 

[shaunguth]

But what if they fired just one of the mediocre ones? :lol:

If that one is the reason (in regards to people) you came to the school for your "studies" and you didn't agree with the reasoning and manner in which he was fired.....then I feel it's completely justified.

 

[BU RICK]

Nice try- but regardless what some lesser fans )) who didn't have any courses with him thought of him, if I considered him top notch, and he was the entire reason I went to that school, of course I'd leave if he was fired.
Sorry if that comparison doesn't seem similar to you, but I think most of us would do the same thing if we were in his situation.

I think that answers the question. He left because coach Les was fired. I also want to add that I wish him success at Illinois, always been a fan of the Illini. Thanks for some winning shots. Personally, I think we'll be about the same this season with or without him...we'd have one less freshman, so I'll go with the youth movement. We'll soon see if the new players and coaches make a difference.

Go Braves

 

[Da Coach]

I think that answers the question. He left because coach Les was fired.

That is only a part of it. I won't go into everything said by Sammy and his family, but there was much more to it than that and I think most BU fans know that. He did not want to start over for his final year with a coach and new system he was unfamiliar with, he wanted to be able to choose the coach he would play his final season for (most college players do want that choice), he knew Coach Weber well from all the other Illinois Wolves players who Weber has recruited, he felt he was wanted there, he has a legitimate shot at playing in an NCAA tournament at Illinois which the coaching change made much more unlikely at Bradley this season, and many other reasons which Sam and his family are entitled to keep to themselves.

 

[LittleBrave]

But what if they fired just one of the mediocre ones? :lol:

Do you care to elaborate, B4L?

Your post was kind of funny to me but probably not to some.

Sometimes you remind me of a an elementary school kid pulling little pranks while keeping your eye on the teacher so you don't get caught.

 

[LG281]

If I chose a college because they had a great business or engineering curriculum, and great professors, then the school fired all the professors, I would leave and finish my education elsewhere. I suspect nearly 100% of the posters here would do the same thing, or at least strongly consider such a move. So why should Sammy be held to a different standard and be called a traitor?

I'd probably stick around long enough to see what the new curriculum might be. Thats just me though.

I think thats what gets me the most - he didn't even wait to see how things would shake out. Just left.

And knock it off with all the "he gave four years" talk - he didn't even give BU 3.5 years on the court.

All I have to say about him being a traitor/deserter is this...Right when his team mates probably needed him the most (senior most guy, a captain, etc.) he bailed because he didn't think something was fair...that isn't a leader friends.

Oh sure, you can make a case for having high moral standards/ethics, just seems childish and cowardly to me.

Now that he is gone, I wish him well, thank him for the time he served as a Brave...but the statement "Once a Brave...Always a Brave" doesn't stick to someone who snubs their nose at you and joins another tribe.

 

[Dub]

I have been a big Sam fan ever since I saw him in the red/white scrimmage. He is one of the most entertaining players to watch because of his passion and his character.

Whoever said Bradley would be the same this year with him or without him...sorry but that's crazy talk.

My wife and I are not nearly as excited about BU hoops this year solely on the basis that Sam was the face of the team....and he's playing elsewhere now.:badgrin:

 

[Air Petey]

I'd probably stick around long enough to see what the new curriculum might be. Thats just me though.

I think thats what gets me the most - he didn't even wait to see how things would shake out. Just left.

And knock it off with all the "he gave four years" talk - he didn't even give BU 3.5 years on the court.

All I have to say about him being a traitor/deserter is this...Right when his team mates probably needed him the most (senior most guy, a captain, etc.) he bailed because he didn't think something was fair...that isn't a leader friends.

Oh sure, you can make a case for having high moral standards/ethics, just seems childish and cowardly to me.

Now that he is gone, I wish him well, thank him for the time he served as a Brave...but the statement "Once a Brave...Always a Brave" doesn't stick to someone who snubs their nose at you and joins another tribe.

WOW....... Just let go of that hate!!