oh no!

[BBFran]

Well said, buppie. Like the old song says, nobody knows you when you're down and out. This kid has a problem that unfortunately too many people including too many college kids have, and even if it's of his own making, the right thing for the program to do is to offer its help. Whether he takes that help and changes is on him.

[uwmbb33]

Unfortunate exposure to Coach Jeters program, especially since the whole situation could've been avoided if he would've taken a taxi or called someone else for a ride. More importantly, thank goodness noone was hurt.

[dutchpthr]

I wouldn't be surprised if Kaylon isn't back but in the same token, I am also not willing to just kick him out the door and say see ya later either. Rob and staff have a big decision to make that is for sure, and not that I am trying to make light of the situation by any means, but I have a little bit of a hard time thinking that it is just cut and dry, he is no longer worthy of representing UWM.

Its a hard line to walk as athletes of college athletics are considered by many to be the faces of the university but they are still students as well (at least at some school anyway, but that is a whole other topic, haha) so i guess the argument could be made if this was an other student who did the same during summer break should they be asked to not return to the university? Now yes this is also a different situation since not every other student wears a basketball jersey and plays for the team put forth by the university totally understand that. But in the same token is it really the best move to just discard the young man without batting an eye? I mean yes he potentially put other s in harms way but he did not harm anyone, aside from himself most likely and while a DUI is no laughing matter (although in this state it seems to be over looked, just think how many people here in WI have multiple DUI's that are in much higher positions then PG for a college basketball team, but that is also a topic for another discussion as well).

I think we need to wait and see what happens and where things end up before rushing to any major judgments is all I am trying to say albeit in a long and drawn out way, this is a decision in hands of the coaching staff, the athletic department and the university and what they decide i feel confident in backing that decision, but let us wait until there is a more clear picture of the circumstances, as some have stated there may be family troubles that have attributed to this situation. As others have said I wish the best for Kaylon should he not be back but I will not vilify him should he return either.

[ghostofdylan]

I think this decision ultimately comes down to what's best for Kaylon the person.

That's why I believe he'll be back here around the guys soon and for the foreseeable future.

Determinations about Kaylon's status as an active player can wait.

[Pantherholic]

I'm sorry I don't see how his actions should kick him off the team (assuming this is his first offense). Yes what he did was stupid, regardless if he's going through some troublesome family issues, but this is not a harsh enough offense for such a drastic consequence. He should be suspeneded and put into counseling of some sorts but that's it. All we know is what's been written by reporters, who I HIGHLY doubt know more than what's been placed in the police report.

Regardless of what Jeter decides, I hope nothing but the best for Kaylon and whatever the future holds for him.

[skrapheap]

i was reading the "what do the panthers do now without Kaylon thread first, and was puzzled until i read this one.

my opinion (worth every penny you paid to read it): count me in the "if it's his first offense, keep him on the team" camp.

As bad as the situation was, it was resolved without the loss of life. Kaylon will have to face the consequences of his choices, and if he is the kind of man that many on this board believe him to be, he will do what he needs to do, and will take whatever help he needs that the coaching staff and the athletic department can offer him.

If the working out of the consequences involves him not playing in 2011-12, i have no problem with him playing in 2012-13 if he has the eligibility, if he wants to do so, and if he complies with whatever conditions the coaching staff and the university decide to impose.

[Pounce Needs Pals]

The problem is not that it's "first offense," it's the running from cops and dogs on top on that. I don't know if he should stay or go, I will not be talking to him. I'm not Jeter.
You just have to ask yourself, what message it sends to the other players on the team if he gets to play most of the season.

[teddyp00]

After reading the article and then coming on here I was a bit shocked to see how many people think he should be removed from the program. Should he have run from the cops...no. But for most people its the common reaction, espeically if they are that drunk. Not sure why the dogs matter to his crime. He just managed to outrun/smart the cops so they used a dog to subdue him.

I would think some sort of suspension would be called for. Not sure what is right but thats not my call....but a fair guess would be 5 games or so if it was my call. I think suspending him sends the simple but fair message that if you make a first mistake you will pay some sort of price. I'm sure there will be other strings attached to any suspension that we may never hear about. And that is fine because this really is between him the staff and the team.

[Pounce Needs Pals]

It doesn't matter if it's a first mistake, like that makes it o.k.?

[Pantherholic]

Aug 12, 2011 19:13:51 GMT -6 Pounce Needs Pals said:

It doesn't matter if it's a first mistake, like that makes it o.k.?

I'm not saying he shouldn't be punished, I'm saying he shouldn't get the same kind of punishment that one would for rape, dealing drugs, armed robbery, etc and considering he was pulled over for his vehicle not having a front license plate, it doesn't seem like anyone was in any immediate danger.

The running from the cops is obviously stupid, especially since he initially pulled over and THEN fled so I'm more than willing to bet he panicked. I don't really care about the dogs b/c that means the cops simply couldn't keep up with him. Driving w/out a valid driver's license? Yawn.

Leneal Harris was booted from the team b/c he was found w/ 100+ grams of weed, small amounts of (potentially) cocaine and possession of a gun. Does Williams deserve the same punishment Harris got? Unless there's more to the story than we know, I'd say no.

[PantherU]

I've kept quiet on this for a couple reasons. First, I was in Chicago and wasn't at a computer for most of my time there. But second, I didn't want to bring up certain things because a person's life is just that, personal.

It's been said on here that Kaylon's grandfather, who raised him, has been very sick and is the reason he was in Iowa. You may want to search him on facebook, because his last several pictures are as a pallbearer at a funeral.

I'm not giving him a pass, but I've been there. To lose someone that close to you...you can drown your sorrows, make a bad judgment call, get pulled over, worrying what is going to happen, and make a second bad judgment.

I would hope that we passionate Milwaukee Panthers don't abandon our point guard for whom we've cheered so hard just because he brought the program bad press. I sure as hell am not.

I think Big DWSU probably has the best punishment laid out - 3-5 games - because you can't let it go. But this young man should not lose this opportunity that basketball brings because of a bad call he made under the influence of alcohol. Many of us have stared down the barrel of a liquor bottle in bad times, and we've made errors while drunk too.

I hope to see him soon, so I can tell him in person that I'm still behind him.

[Pounce Needs Pals]

Tell that to someone who lost a love one because of a drunken driver.

[Rawls]

I'm with mupanther. The excuse "Well he could have killed someone, but didn't" is a poor one. Giving him time off from basketball isn't throwing him to the gutter and forgetting about him. Hopefully Jeter, his staff, and the players stay close to him and make sure he can turn this around. I'd hope there's some kind of service available at UWM for dealing with alcohol. And if the team can somehow redshirt him this year and bring him in in 2012-13, I'd be for it if he earns back trust. Whatever caused him to do this, he's got much bigger problems right now than basketball.

[uwmbacker24]

I agree with Rawls on this one, not sure if you can redshirt him (transfer rules) but if you can that should be done. He can focus on getting his life back in order and then be ready to go come 2012 season. If that is not possible then I think the best action might be to suspend him at least 5 games and make sure he realizes that he is on a no tolerance policy and if he so much as misses a practice or team bus or anything that the Panthers will cut ties with him. He seems like a good kid who did something wrong, but in the real world it doesnt matter if you are a good kid or a bad kid, there are consequences for your actions.

[uwmfutbol]

Aug 15, 2011 6:29:19 GMT -6 uwmbacker24 said:

He seems like a good kid who did something wrong, but in the real world it doesnt matter if you are a good kid or a bad kid, there are consequences for your actions.

"That's a bingo."

The sad reality is that athletes should not only not get preferential treatment, but it's also a privilege to be on that team, not a right. And I'm sorry to say it, but drunk driving sickens me, and I'm disgusted that one of our players did it. I don't know what should be done with him, but especially in a state like Wisconsin, drunk driving needs to be dealt with severely.