p_malinich
Data Expert
www.elevenlions.com
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by p_malinich on Apr 11, 2014 12:00:47 GMT -6
|
|
nolapelota
All-District
No longer "booming,,,"
Posts: 203
|
Post by nolapelota on Apr 11, 2014 19:52:35 GMT -6
He is not age eligible. There is no appeal to that.
District eligibility hardship? ummm maybe. But age is a hard and fast number, IT ISN'T A HARDSHIP... keep in mind that he will be going on 20 years old when he plays soccer in the spring.
Besides, he was allowed a special exemption to play as an 8th grader because it was acknowledged by the school that he wouldn't be eligible as a senior because of age. Now they want it both ways and the school is being dishonest and underhanded trying to roll the rest of the LHSAA.
NO! no NO!
If the legislature wants to do something, stop the dictatorship of the majority who are going to tear up high school sports in Louisiana.
|
|
|
Post by time2retire on Apr 11, 2014 23:43:13 GMT -6
Nothing against the kid, but if you make the exception here, where do you draw the definitive line in the sand?
|
|
|
Post by loJic on Apr 12, 2014 9:19:46 GMT -6
True, if he is granted permission then Isaac Espinoza at East Jeff should be as well.
|
|
|
Post by coachray40 on Apr 14, 2014 14:55:40 GMT -6
And Christian Delcid at St Amant, and this player at this school, and that player at that school......the list will go on and on.
While I have EMPATHY for his case, I DONT believe Clements appeal should be granted. There has to be a firm line for age in HS play. The line is there for a number of reasons--hold back issues probably most especially, not to mention reducing the ability for academic non performers to get a chance to gain an additional year of eligibility. This is a pandora's box that doesnt need to be opened. I'm sure there are other athletes statewide that have been in similar age related circumstances, but they havent been as big time an athlete at Mubingwira and havent needed to have the state legislature introducing bills on their behalf. Clement is a 3 sport star athlete. Hes a stud in each one and Im sure every coach at EHS would like him back. Does he have next level potential? Certainly in football--hes a big strong dude and runs like the wind. With that being the case, he'll still have next level opportunities provided he keeps himself in shape and academically eligible. Allowing him to play at this point only provides for one thing--the individual sport interests for the school he attends.
|
|
|
Post by coachray40 on Apr 14, 2014 15:12:44 GMT -6
The bigger and more pressing issue in this case is whether or not we are going to allow the LA State legislature to start making arbitrative decisions in eligibility concerns. That is where the biggest problem with this push lies. Yes, Episcopal HS and Clements friends like him and want him to be eligible, but they have no concern or consideration for how this tactic of using our state legislature could become a serious problem in the future. Got an eligibility issue? grades arent good enough? Live in the wrong parish? Just too dumb to graduate on time and want to still play HS football even though you are 20? Just call up your local state senator and have him introduce a bill on your behalf and declare the need for a state governed 3rd party arbitration. Make a nice little reelection campaign donation to the aforementioned senator (and perhaps a couple of his committee friends)and low and behold, Johnny 20-year gets a 6th year of eligibility at Football Star HS. This whole process is just bad. LHSAA made its ruling--three times, granting him extra eligibility at 8th grade, then again now, and upon appeal. EHS and Mubinguwira knew what was at stake.
On another note, I find it amusing that the premise used in the introduction of the bill is that the state legislature should have oversight into the affairs of schools that receive public funds, yet the test case is for a student at the most expensive PRIVATE school in the state. I also find it interesting that Clement, while having to endure all this strife and relocation during his life, has found the ability to pay to attend this expensive private school for 6 years now. i would think the same kind of financial background that would allow him to attend such a pricey school would also allow him the opportunity to access tutors and specialized instructors who could have gotten him up to the appropriate grade level in order to graduate "on time'--especially over a 6 year period. I'm sure there are plenty of latino players statewide with equally oppressed backgrounds that don't have the financial impact of wielding influence over state senators on their behalf. Money talks and the rest of us eat beans
|
|
|
Post by Steven Gerrard on Apr 14, 2014 15:29:49 GMT -6
Well said Ray.
|
|
p_malinich
Data Expert
www.elevenlions.com
Posts: 4,201
|
Post by p_malinich on Apr 15, 2014 20:28:20 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by kevin on Apr 16, 2014 6:07:47 GMT -6
So is he a kid who's not that great of a player, who wouldn't dominate everyone else, or is he a legitimate college prospect who needs to play this year to have a shot at a college scholarship at the I-AA level (where there are plenty of very talented football players)? It seems like Episcopal is trying to have it both ways.
He seems like a great kid who has overcome terrible, terrible things, but you can't make rules based upon how sympathetic someone's circumstances are. Otherwise, where does it stop? How bad does a kid's life have to be before he gets an exemption from the rule? Having a black-and-white age rule solves a lot of other problems with schools that might otherwise try to game the system.
|
|
|
Post by newosoccerfan on Apr 16, 2014 7:19:45 GMT -6
To me it looks like there is a big time PR firm is behind this article. If so, what does that say about the process here? NewO
|
|
|
Post by Steven Gerrard on Apr 16, 2014 7:26:58 GMT -6
My guess is that the article was written by someone at the school. It certainly read that way.
If he can play, than there is a kid at West Monroe who should get another year to play. I guess I need to contact a legislator and write a piece for Nola.com.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2014 7:58:36 GMT -6
If he is an exceptional running back, then perhaps he should look at enrolling at a junior college and play.
|
|
|
Post by Steven Gerrard on Apr 16, 2014 8:24:59 GMT -6
Nope, talking about a soccer player. He is international. Family immigrated over here. Language problems held him back a year. Turns 19 before the cutoff date. Sounds familiar?
|
|
|
Post by loJic on Apr 16, 2014 8:41:02 GMT -6
Shall I say this may be a reason for a local club to start a U21-U23 squad and keep their local kids who are ineligible to play U18 or high school a chance to continue to compete at a high level?
Food for thought.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2014 12:50:33 GMT -6
Nope, talking about a soccer player. He is international. Family immigrated over here. Language problems held him back a year. Turns 19 before the cutoff date. Sounds familiar? Well, I know he 'plays' soccer. But the story was focused on him being a throwball running back.
If it would have been focused on soccer, it wouldn't have been a story at all.
I wonder who's paying his tuition?
Guarantee it isn't coming from soccer.
Now, I hate it that the young man had a difficult childhood. But, I don't see any reason why he should be allowed to compete...at 19.
|
|
|
Post by soccermomma on Apr 16, 2014 16:57:38 GMT -6
I am compelled to shed light on the numerous inaccuracies floating around the posts that I am reading concerning Clement Mubungirwa and his eligibility. Here are some FACTS: 1) After his father was murdered by the rebels in the Congo, and after languishing for years on the run from one squalid African refugee camp to another seeking safety and shelter, Clement arrived in the US with his mother and six siblings in December 2007 at the age of 12 with only the clothes of his back, speaking no English. 2) Despite what was soon to be evaluated as a first grade education he was placed in the seventh grade because of his chronological age, not academic ability, in January 2008 3) Clement endured bullying and ridicule and very little academic support or education during the spring semester of 2008 as a seventh grader at a Baton Rouge school which was condemned and closed the following year 4)Living within the parish boundaries of St. Aloysius Catholic church and school, Clement is accepted as an outreach by faculty and staff and "repeats" 7th grade beginning Fall 2008. Clement and the faculty and staff worked tirelessly before school during lunch and after school to begin a long task of catching up academically. 5) Clement successfully completes seventh and eighth grade at St. Aloysius after spending countless hours working to make up for lost time in the classroom. 6)August 2010-academics was the ONLY focus when Clement was admitted to Episcopal with financial aid. Episcopal asked that he repeat eighth-grade to further solidify his academic preparedness. 7) In an effort to allow him to play soccer in 8th grade, Episcopal applied to the LHS AA to allow him to play soccer despite being older than age requirement-at this point Clement had NEVER even held a football… 8) In 2010 Clement was introduced to football through PE classes and discovers an aptitude for it. 9) Clement continues to work tirelessly and without complaint before school, after school, in the evening and on weekends with tutors and friends to catch up and perform well academically. His determination transfers over to the athletic field both in soccer and football where he continued to improve . 10) Clement played THREE years in high school… He is currently a junior. 11) EHS was NOT dishonest in their appeal to the LHSAA about his ability. It was clearly stated that the plea on his behalf is because he has an excellent chance to earn a college athletic scholarship which would be life-changing for his family. 12) Yes he is a fine athlete, but he is an even FINER young man. 13)At 5'9, 170 lbs he poses no undue you physical threat to his potential opponents 14) over 2000 19-year-old student athletes compete in Louisiana each year 15) Legislators and many other supporters have been getting involved because they have heard his story and see an INJUSTICE! 16) Anyone who suggests ulterior motives by Episcopal and Clements supporters have clearly never met Clement or taken time to really reflect on his amazing journey. Filled with a beautiful faith-filled trust in God, he and his family have accepted their fate with courage tenacity, and joy. 17) His case is NOT like ANY other... His is an extremely RARE and most worthy case. 18) No PR firm is involved... We are just blessed with an amazing grassroots following of people who's only desire is to DO THE RIGHT THING once they hear Clement's story!! JOIN US!! You will be blessed!
|
|
nolapelota
All-District
No longer "booming,,,"
Posts: 203
|
Post by nolapelota on Apr 16, 2014 18:21:09 GMT -6
Soccermom, sorry to say this... but that heart tugging story has nothing to do with issue. Neither is the size of the kid, or the number of his brothers and sisters, or whether he spoke English or Finnish or Orc, or whether he is rich poor, blond or green .... All that is just fluff and boiler plate and he is not being denied eligibility because of any of that.
There is one fact only. His age ... and you are being a little disingenuous are you not about playing "only 3 years of football?" Well, he has played FOUR years of high school sports. He will be well over 19 years old in the spring, closer to 20 years old than 18.
There are a thousand more cases in this state equally heart rendering... kids that are refugees, emigrants, even native Americans from terrible neighborhoods with stories just as bad.
Regardless... there is no reason to make this exception. The school knew this situation when the lad was in 8th grade. The school is being dishonest and the lad should concentrate on his studies during his 20th year on this planet. What would be said if that school happened to win a State Championship next year with that near-20 year old on the team? If it were... say ... John Curtis, what would be said? What would YOU say?
Here is what I say ....No, no, no, ... and I would say "no" if it were my own kid in my own school. You have to stand for something.
|
|
|
Post by playwide on Apr 17, 2014 7:47:57 GMT -6
In no way do I seek to diminish the struggle that this young man and his family have endured, but if LHSAA starts making allowances for kids whose fathers have been murdered and have educational development issues and live in areas plagued by daily violence and intimidation by lawless groups.....then I bet there are 2,000 of those type cases in Orleans Parish alone who would love an additional year..or two.
This is not a hardship issue, this is a math issue. 18+1=19
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 8:26:54 GMT -6
As I mentioned earlier, if he is a potential college athlete, then there are ways for him to go ahead and make that move next year. He can enroll in a junior college and compete at that level.
If things go well there then finishing up at a 4 yr university is very realistic.
|
|
usfgk
Data Expert
Posts: 495
|
Post by usfgk on Apr 17, 2014 10:35:49 GMT -6
|
|