The Valparaiso Beacons Fan Zone Forum

Looks like David Skara has asked for his release, and will be leaving Valpo.

Ugh...No further comment until it is confirmed.

Source?

NOOOOOO. Please no. I think David is in for a big year. So underrated. He dealt with quite a few injuries these years. Won't he have to sit out a whole year?

What happened to this? I know things change but I'm hoping its not true.

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/718186117175123968

I guess its true. This is a serious bummer. https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/722257156737802240

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/722264875687362560

It's been forever since I posted on this board, but I've been lurking for the past few weeks and decided it's time to come back. All I can ask when I hear this news is why? Where could he go where opportunity will be greater for him? Maybe he wants more PT....

ouch, this hurts.  I wonder if its because Bryce left or something else.

He was quoted in several articles as being really happy, and that the hiring of Lottich was good for the program/continuity.  What the hell happened?  He was going to play significant minutes next season with Walker and E Vic gone.

Good thing we kept those extra 2 scholarship slots open.

Quote from: VU2014 on April 18, 2016, 09:44:35 PM
NOOOOOO. Please no. I think David is in for a big year. So underrated. He dealt with quite a few injuries these years. Won't he have to sit out a whole year?

Yes, he will have to sit out a year, regardless of where he goes.  Maybe he is pulling a Haanpaa and going pro in Europe after his SO year?

Big, big disappointment! >:(

I'm just taking a look at who Skara was recruited by looks like it was Valpo, Green Bay, and Virginia Tech. I know he was recruited by by Buzz Williams who is now at VT. I'm assuming we won't let him transfer anywhere in conference. As for VT they a couple scholarships open. Maybe he goes down there.

I'll be very interested to see where he ends up.  I would have understood Jubril using the graduate transfer option over Skara leaving to sit out a year somewhere else.  Skara could definitely start for any other HL team.

Can't Lottich give a stipulation on the release that he can't transfer to anywhere in the HL?

Thats the thing.  Several of our guys who get minimum time would be starting and playing huge roles on other HL teams. 

Quote from: DMvalpo18 on April 18, 2016, 10:02:48 PM
It's been forever since I posted on this board, but I've been lurking for the past few weeks and decided it's time to come back. All I can ask when I hear this news is why? Where could he go where opportunity will be greater for him? Maybe he wants more PT....

A board legend returns!!

One of Branchen Hazen's biggest choice factors was playing time.... We lost E Victor, D Walker and now Skara. Might help with the playing time selling point. Although my guess is he goes to Ball State. The BS head coach is taking a home visit this week apparently.

Quote from: ARCInsider on April 18, 2016, 10:31:33 PM

Quote from: DMvalpo18 on April 18, 2016, 10:02:48 PM
It's been forever since I posted on this board, but I've been lurking for the past few weeks and decided it's time to come back. All I can ask when I hear this news is why? Where could he go where opportunity will be greater for him? Maybe he wants more PT....

A board legend returns!!

Thanks! It's been fun reading all of the posts during this transition time. In fact, so much so I just had to break my silence.

He also had an offer from Robert Morris.  He can probably have his pick of any mid-major with a SF/PF opening in 2017-2018 (sitting out next season). 

All I'll say is this...Hollywood would reject the script on this one. Flat out reject it. Unreal. Will be curious to watch this unfold.

After being an integral part of winning 58 games in just two years and with even more minutes in the rotation coming his way due to graduating seniors, where can this kid do any better?  There's got to be more to this story.

David's improvement from last season to this season was not as swift as I had expected.  It still hurts to lose him.  He must have been really unhappy, unbeknownst to us.  Puzzling. 

Quote from: Pgmado on April 18, 2016, 10:47:41 PM
All I'll say is this...Hollywood would reject the script on this one. Flat out reject it. Unreal. Will be curious to watch this unfold.

Meaning that the reasoning you have heard makes as much sense as each of us would make of this move (not much sense)?

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/722268375053910016

VU's David Skara to transfer

By Paul Oren pgmado@gmail.com

"Valparaiso sophomore forward David Skara has asked for his release and is expected to transfer from the program according to several sources close to the situation.

Skara battled through various ankle injuries this season to play in 29 games while starting 13 Horizon League contests. The Croatian native averaged 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game. Skara's best game of the year came when he scored a season-high 15 points off the bench in a 72-70 win against BYU in the National Invitational Tournament semifinals last month at Madison Square Garden. Skara's 3-pointer with 17.7 seconds remaining essentially won the game for the Crusaders.

Skara shined when the lights were brightest, capping off his freshman campaign with a team-high 12 points in the 2015 Horizon League Championship win over Green Bay. Skara added four assists in the NCAA tournament loss to Maryland. The former Don Bosco Prep star averaged 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds as a freshman and was named to the All-Horizon League Tournament team.

Skara's departure currently gives the Crusaders three remaining open scholarships following the signings of guard Micah Bradford and center Jaume Sorolla. There remains a possibility that Keith Carter can regain a fifth year of eligibility. There also remains a possibility that Alec Peters could remain in the NBA Draft or elect to become a graduate transfer. First-year coach Matt Lottich could have as few as two scholarships remaining or as many as four. Peters has until May 25th to decide if he will remain in the NBA Draft. The spring signing period concludes on May 16th."

http://www.nwitimes.com/blogs/sports/inside-vu-sports/vu-s-david-skara-to-transfer/article_ff1e2116-05db-11e6-aa10-ff591ef2aaf3.html

I'll say this that David is a great kid, and it's very sad to see him go. I wish him the best of luck. As Paul has implied there's a lot to this story. The coaching staff would love him to stay, of course. I think David would probably like to stay, but again there's a lot to this story. I want to make this very clear, David has done nothing wrong and is a great kid, but he's caught up in some b.s. Yes Paul it will be interesting to see how this develops.

Really hate to see this. Have to think he would get 20 - 25 minutes a game at the 3 or 4 if he stayed, maybe more if Peters doesn't come back. Would have looked for this to be his breakout year if he could start off and stay healthy.  What a shame.

Well this doesn't help my mentality over the next few weeks, as I am sure that the general public (the majority of us) will never hear why he is having to transfer.  Let the wild speculation begin!  Too bad, as I really liked him as a player, and his potential for next season.  I will root him on wherever he ends up, as he helped us quite a bit over the last 2 seasons.

Quote from: chef on April 18, 2016, 11:15:46 PM
I'll say this that David is a great kid, and it's very sad to see him go. I wish him the best of luck. As Paul has implied there's a lot to this story. The coaching staff would love him to stay, of course. I think David would probably like to stay, but again there's a lot to this story. I want to make this very clear, David has done nothing wrong and is a great kid, but he's caught up in some b.s. Yes Paul it will be interesting to see how this develops.

Wha??????

If b.s. can be resolved (if at all possible and in a reasonable timeframe) could he / might he rescind his transfer request? 

What is the bs that David is allegedly caught up in?

I think Chef would have disclosed it, but apparently, he felt he couldn't.

My totally baseless thinking on this is that before David's request went in, he and the coaching staff had some deep discussions. David impressed me as a thoughtful kid, so Chef's comment leads me to believe that a release was the only option left after those discussions.  But like everyone else at this point, I'm engaging in pure speculation

If he does wind up leaving the university, I'll be sad.

There are adults that David is close to that were hoping to get on the new VU staff, when they didn't they encouraged David to leave.

Perhaps he sees his playing time diminishing with the new recruits coming in and talk of playing both big men at the same time?  It feels like he fell a little behind Shane Hammink in the playing time thing as well.

As for the b.s., I hate to think that's coming from the new regime.  Perhaps it's an academic thing?  Or outsiders are feeding him stuff?

Just speculating about this makes me feel dirty.

It's his life, not ours.  Best wishes to David.

P.S.  The latter, it looks like.  Sorry to hear that.

Quote from: StlVUFan on April 19, 2016, 09:26:30 AM
Perhaps he sees his playing time diminishing with the new recruits coming in and talk of playing both big men at the same time?  It feels like he fell a little behind Shane Hammink in the playing time thing as well.

As for the b.s., I hate to think that's coming from the new regime.  Perhaps it's an academic thing?  Or outsiders are feeding him stuff?

Just speculating about this makes me feel dirty.

It's his life, not ours.  Best wishes to David.

P.S.  The latter, it looks like.  Sorry to hear that.

Quote from: chef on April 19, 2016, 09:23:07 AM
There are adults that David is close to that were hoping to get on the new VU staff, when they didn't they encouraged David to leave.

That sucks.

I saw, hence my P.S.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Those "adults" have now cut themselves off from any consideration by VU for anything.  How short sighted and self destructive to themselves, but, even worse, how manipulative of a young man's loyalty. 

Worst news I could have imagined other than Alec or Tevonn leaving.    And the most surprising to me.   

Skara was very smooth for his height and did all the little things. 

Skara was a great player with a big role in our back to back league conference championships.  And he was an underclassmen. 

Whoever he's listening too and was upset about not getting on the staff, I say make them a GA or volunteer assistant and be done with it.  We need Skara for a 3-peat

Who is he close to? Who wanted to get hired? Is it that serious to leave if you don't get your way?

Quote from: hoopfan22 on April 19, 2016, 10:01:06 AM
Who is he close to? Who wanted to get hired? Is it that serious to leave if you don't get your way?

My Guess:  AAU people.

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 19, 2016, 10:04:08 AM

Quote from: hoopfan22 on April 19, 2016, 10:01:06 AM
Who is he close to? Who wanted to get hired? Is it that serious to leave if you don't get your way?

My Guess:  AAU people.

He didn't play AAU. He did the prep school. I have my own ideas on who it is but i HOPE it's not him.

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 19, 2016, 09:56:28 AM
Skara was a great player with a big role in our back to back league conference championships.  And he was an underclassmen. 

Whoever he's listening too and was upset about not getting on the staff, I say make them a GA or volunteer assistant and be done with it.  We need Skara for a 3-peat

This was a joke, right?

Love Skara and what he was capable of bringing to the team, would have been huge for us this coming year. Injuries really hampered his progress this past season, but you could still see it was all coming together at the end. So sorry to see him go.

Let the speculation begin... "They're getting a steal, a complete steal," said Chris Artis, the associate head coach of Midwest Elite's post-graduate team who recently was named the coach of the newly created high school team.

"He's going to be really, really good, and he's only going to get better. He's a basketball sponge, works real hard, high IQ, deceptively athletic. He has that Euro step down, long stride and he can dunk on you.  Could it be????

Quote from: FWalum on April 19, 2016, 10:19:27 AM
Love Skara and what he was capable of bringing to the team, would have been huge for us this coming year. Injuries really hampered his progress this past season, but you could still see it was all coming together at the end. So sorry to see him go.

Let the speculation begin... "They're getting a steal, a complete steal," said Chris Artis, the associate head coach of Midwest Elite's post-graduate team who recently was named the coach of the newly created high school team.

"He's going to be really, really good, and he's only going to get better. He's a basketball sponge, works real hard, high IQ, deceptively athletic. He has that Euro step down, long stride and he can dunk on you.  Could it be????

Exactly my first thought. Say it aint so man!

Quote from: hoopfan22 on April 19, 2016, 10:08:38 AM

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 19, 2016, 10:04:08 AM

Quote from: hoopfan22 on April 19, 2016, 10:01:06 AM
Who is he close to? Who wanted to get hired? Is it that serious to leave if you don't get your way?

My Guess:  AAU people.

He didn't play AAU. He did the prep school. I have my own ideas on who it is but i HOPE it's not him.

Whoever it is is a real snake in the grass.  If it would happen to be a former Valpo player, that is a treasonous act worthy of Philip Nolan-style exile.

That is the lowest of the low. If it's him i'm done with him.

Whoever it is isn't very smart.  In exchange for the short-term satisfaction of getting back at VU for not getting an assistant's job, he might get instead a well placed news article exposing the betrayal, manipulation and deceit that will make that person a basketball pariah.  Respectable college coaches will look on that person with disdain for pimping a kid, and he'll never get a decent basketball job again.  And, if that person is coaching at the HS/prep level, what respectable coach would trust that person not to do the same thing again with a different kid?

Wow if true that's a lot of influence to have over a kid two years out of high school.  And what a disservice to the kid to get him to leave a program that was happy with him and that he was happy with just out of spite?  But people can only influence you if you let them.  At some point you have to be responsible for your own decisions and not let others manipulate you. If he lets that happen it's on him. But the adult involved should be ashamed of himself. He has no business being in a position to have that kind of influence on young people.

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, are there do overs or take backs on this board?  Don't think I should have written that in a post because it was COMPLETE SPECUALTION.  I was only thinking about who David might have known that had any connection to VU and might want to be on the staff.  Could be any number of people.

Speculate on because I had ZERO to do with it.

Doesn't really matter who it is. I'm with nkvu, at some point you have to grow up. Someone should tell him the story of Oumar and how well that whole situation worked for him.

That is good to hear!

Quote from: CA on April 19, 2016, 11:30:51 AM
Speculate on because I had ZERO to do with it.

Great to hear!

Miss your open gym reports.

This is speculation, but I believe that many of the multitude of transfers in NCAA Division I basketball are because of some adult that was in the ear of a player during HS/AAU years, and is still telling that player 'you can get more playing time elsewhere', 'you should transfer', etc.  I think these young men (kids still in some regard) are very short sighted - and are missing the opportunity of a lifetime.  Receiving a quality education in exchange for basketball skills is still a rare item - just look at the number of students across the US in colleges that are not receiving any sport related scholarships.  Think long term, not selfishly next season.  Most college coaches (not all but most) are in the profession to win, but also to develop the whole person - both on the court and in the classroom.  There are only a handful of players that will be drafted in the top half of the first round, thereby guaranteeing some level of lifetime comfort, $$-wise.  All of the other players at the 350+ Division I NCAA basketball schools will need to work very hard to continue playing after college.  Alec is a great example of working hard, both on the court and in the classroom.  He has put himself in the position of being evaluated for the NBA draft, and potentially transferring to power program to gain more experience against players of or near NBA talent.  The rest will need to use the life skills learned at the college level, including the degree field, working with others, working in a team environment, communicating in both written and verbal situations, etc. 

I wish Skara the best in whatever he decides.  I wish that he would/could sit down with some former players at the collegiate level that may have had a similar choice, and try to find those people that are looking out for his long term best interests.  I can't tell him (or anyone) what to do; I'd only suggest that he looks at all of the pros and cons of the situation, the short term and long term benefits/cons with each choice, and then look really hard at the potential agendas of those involved - What is VU's agenda?  What is Coach Lottich's agenda?  What other agendas are there?

He will have similar decisions in the future.

Quote from: covufan on April 19, 2016, 11:44:30 AM

Quote from: CA on April 19, 2016, 11:30:51 AM
Speculate on because I had ZERO to do with it.

Great to hear!

Miss your open gym reports.

Whew!

There are adults that David is close to that were hoping to get on the new VU staff, when they didn't they encouraged David to leave.

Supposedly, the culprit(s) is (are) someone who David has a trusting relationship with and who feels jilted that he (they) didn't get an assistant position.  You can probably count the "persons of interest" on one hand that fit that definition. It's just a matter of time until we find out who it is (they are).   

Wow...it had nothing to do with Chris. He's to classy. I was referring to others.

Quote from: CA on April 19, 2016, 11:30:51 AM
Speculate on because I had ZERO to do with it.

I think you win the award for fewest posts with the most likes!  8-)

And by the way, you were dead on with your assessment of Skara.

Quote from: VU2014 on April 18, 2016, 09:49:16 PM
What happened to this? I know things change but I'm hoping its not true.

[tweet]718186117175123968[/tweet]

Apparently, Skara was with his advisers a couple of days after Paul's tweet. After that gathering, David decided to ask for his release and transfer. I will not suggest what was said to him or even if it was what influenced him, but something obviously changed his mind. I know who was with David, and Chris Artis was not among them. Anything more would be speculation, and I look forward for further clarification from Oren, Chef, or others.

Quote from: DMvalpo18 on April 18, 2016, 10:36:34 PM

Quote from: ARCInsider on April 18, 2016, 10:31:33 PM

Quote from: DMvalpo18 on April 18, 2016, 10:02:48 PM
It's been forever since I posted on this board, but I've been lurking for the past few weeks and decided it's time to come back. All I can ask when I hear this news is why? Where could he go where opportunity will be greater for him? Maybe he wants more PT....

A board legend returns!!

Thanks! It's been fun reading all of the posts during this transition time. In fact, so much so I just had to break my silence.

Well, LAA tee da!   ;)

It wasn't Chris. This is complete speculation then maybe it was someone at Don Bosco Prep IN. I believe he went there or played there at one point.

Paul Oren's tweet was on April 7th at Lottich's press conference that he was at:
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/718186117175123968

Skara met or at least talked with Don Bosco Prep IN Coaches on April 9th:
https://twitter.com/DonBoscoHoops/status/718885289096306688

http://donboscoprephoops.com/staff.html

Don Bosco Prep IN Coaches:
-Founder David Maravilla
In 1990 Dave Maravilla founded International Sport Management. ISM became a prominent player in the world of International Basketball signing over 500 professional basketball contracts over a twenty-four year period.
After selling the International Sport Management agency in 2013. Dave undertook a ambitious new project that would benefit many aspiring college players both in the Midwest and globally.
With a strong sense for player evaluations and great personal relationships with many college basketball coaches that span more then Two decades, Dave has a built in network that will provide the necessary Division One exposure to student athletes at Don Bosco Prep.
In doing so, Dave has created a veteran staff with NCAA and Olympic coaching experience. A staff that will provide Don Bosco Prep's student athletes high level preparation and exposure in College facilities that few if any in the prep basketball world can match.

-Head Coach Jason Hawkins
-Dave Maravilla Assisstant Coach (he's also a player agent...) http://basketball.realgm.com/info/agent_clients/Dave-Maravilla/183
-Eric Stanley - Assisstant Coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-stanley-38396b4b
-Luka Mirkovic - Assisstant Coach (he just start as an assistant here in 2015. Former Northwestern player grad 2012)

I thought that looked like JHawk.  My guess is that it isn't him either, as he always seemed to be a classy guy as well.  I am with others on this board though, when you mention that as a 19-20 year old man, if they aren't your parents, what do they matter regarding YOUR college choice?

Quote from: FWalum on April 19, 2016, 12:33:02 PM

Quote from: CA on April 19, 2016, 11:30:51 AM
Speculate on because I had ZERO to do with it.

I think you win the award for fewest posts with the most likes!  8-)

And by the way, you were dead on with your assessment of Skara.

I didn't realize it had been so long since CA posted - so long in fact that his last post was on the old board!

Probably the greatest first post on this board!

Maybe David had been promised or was under the impression that the coach who asked for the asst job would join him at Valpo during his time there if David chose Valpo over other schools. When it was learned that the coach would not be following David on to Valpo then David made the decision to transfer to a school that his coach will be being hired. This has happened before and is not too uncommon. I believe Scott Drew was involved in one of these situations at Baylor with a coach named Tang or a similar name.


This of course is all guess work on my part and might explain the order of progression. 

Let's end the speculation. David is very close with Dave Maravilla and Ivan Vujic. Maravilla was very influential in Vujic going to Valpo as well as Skara. When Vujic was not hired as an assistant coach, the dominoes fell and Skara asked for his release. There's obviously more to the story but that's the focal point behind Skara leaving. The shame of it is Skara had a great relationship with Matt Lottich and was extremely excited when Matt got the job.

Skara is capable of making his own decisions in life - he's a big boy.

Even without coaching changes, players move and change their mind. I am disappointed and worried that there were three scholarships open when Bryce left, and the potential 5 were open if Alec and Jubril both graduated early. It's typical to see someone transfer each year, so keeping that many scholarships open was reckless and questionable.

We'd be lucky to come out of this with only 1 departure, and hopefully we can find some decent transfers to fill the remaining spots.

Where was Vujic coaching last season?  It says on his linkedin page that he is Director of Basketball Operations at DePaul, but he is not on DePaul's team website for 2015-16? 

I hope that both Vujic and Skara find what they are looking for in their basketball lives.

Vujic got let go when Dave Leitao came back to take over the program. He was the Director of Basketball Operations and worked with the big men when oliver purnell was still there.

Just a really unfortunate situation for all involved. Looks like the Dave Maravilla good feelings are broken now. No more Don Bosco Prep IN for quite a while. Also never good to have hard feeling with past alumni/player. Hopefully the age old saying, "time heals all wounds" is true in this case. Hopefully it all works out for David.

Looks like Dave Maravilla has give advice like "take the most play time" advice in the past to his former players. Articles from way back in 2002 (couldn't find the whole article): https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67A1E986E4A73.html

Look for minutes, not just money

Post-Tribune (IN)
Post-Tribune (IN)
March 29, 2002 | Mike Hutton | Copyright

"Take the playing time, not the best contract. For Raitis Grafs that could mean either playing in Valparaiso or Europe, depending on who offers the junior best deal.

At least that's the advice Dave Maravilla, a sports agent for International Sports Management in Crown Point would give Grafs if he called wondering if he should turn pro.

Maravilla has represented former Valpo stars, including Zoran Viskovic and Ivan Vujic, now playing professionally in Germany and Belgium, respectively.

He has firsthand knowledge of what the Euro League is like.

Maravilla says Grafs probably wouldn't help his NBA chances if he was drafted this year by a high-end Euro team. ..."

Assuming everything is true, which I believe it is and have no reason to think otherwise. Maybe Lottich should go with the bold move and not grant him his release. Only down side is it would hurt David. But then again it creates a scenario where David goes to Vujic and says "hey, now I have to pay my way and sit out for a season. You going to pay for my school?". I don't know if that would help anything or not. It's just so selfish to tell a kid to leave a school he seemingly likes with a successful program because you're butthurt you weren't selected for a job that I'm sure had plenty of applicants to choose from.

Quote from: covufan on April 19, 2016, 03:14:36 PM
Where was Vujic coaching last season?  It says on his linkedin page that he is Director of Basketball Operations at DePaul, but he is not on DePaul's team website for 2015-16? 

I hope that both Vujic and Skara find what they are looking for in their basketball lives.

I wouldn't be so benevolent toward Vujic just yet.  He apparently is one of two offenders that lured Skara away.  It will be very interesting to see where Skara lands, and if Vujic or this other character end up playing some role there.  I smell a "tampering" rat, which is a serious NCAA violation.

As to holding Skara responsible for his actions, I get it.  That said, I see Skara like a 1st time drug user, and these conniving knuckleheads like professional drug pushers. The user gets a suspended sentence and community service time. The pushers that lured him into it need a bullet between the eyes. 

This is just stupid.  If Vu had a major part in it, I lose all respect for him.  He was a fun-loving guy that would invite all Valpo fans to his apartment for parties after games.  My view of him is now completely negative. 

I find no fault with Skara. He's a teenager living in a foreign country. I've never been through what's been going on in his life. I wish him the best. As for the roster, a spot was left open for Keith, who is more likely going to get another year than not. Thus, there would only have been one open scholarship, now there's two. The staff is out recruiting and I'd say overall the program is in great shape.

I'm curious as to how many kids who transferred from Valpo really improved their situation. I'm not talking about the ones who went down to D-2 or NAIA. I've no problem with a kid who is not going to play going down a level or to a lower level D-1.  But the ones who would play if they stayed, how many went to similar level or higher level programs and really improved their situation?  Wood moved up to Michigan State and contributed but wasn't a star and didn't improve his chances for the NBA as far as I can tell. Edwards? Went to Arizona State I think but don't think he did much?  Going back a ways didn't Sylla transfer to Richmond and kind of disappear?  Not a very good track record to my mind.

Seems to me if you're getting pt at Valpo, unless you're POY Horizon League material you're not gonna improve your situation much by leaving. With rare exceptions there is a reason you're playing in the Horizon League and not the ACC.

Quote from: valpo4life on April 19, 2016, 03:39:06 PMMaybe Lottich should go with the bold move and not grant him his release

Do that and every rival school will use it against Valpo in recruiting.

I'm curious as to how many kids who transferred from Valpo really improved their situation.

Like Andrew Ferry?

http://cornellbigred.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=23335

Quote from: talksalot on April 19, 2016, 04:48:51 PM
I'm curious as to how many kids who transferred from Valpo really improved their situation.

Like Andrew Ferry?

http://cornellbigred.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=23335

True but he wasn't getting much pt at Valpo was he?  Again if a kid isn't playing and has no prospects of playing and can transfer to an Ivy League school and play as well - go for it. His was definitely a success story.

Quote from: nkvu on April 19, 2016, 05:02:35 PM

Quote from: talksalot on April 19, 2016, 04:48:51 PM
I'm curious as to how many kids who transferred from Valpo really improved their situation.

Like Andrew Ferry?

http://cornellbigred.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=23335

True but he wasn't getting much pt at Valpo was he?  Again if a kid isn't playing and has no prospects of playing and can transfer to an Ivy League school and play as well - go for it. His was definitely a success story.

He didn't even have an athletic scholarship at Valpo... he didn't play much and he was on the worst Valpo team since before Bryce came here as a player.

Written after two martinis:  This is so sad. For decades Valpo has pretty much been immune to the crap that is big time college basketball. Then within two weeks we are exposed to a coaching change into the big time (actually a good thing for both Bryce, VU and Vandy IMO) and on the back side the underworld of  the meat market that is seething under the cover of amateur athletics.

I would like to draw a different analogy from the one that talked about a drug addict. No, David is an impressionable kid who trusted older advisors (who saw his marketability). So, he enrolled at Valpo and found another family. Times were good. He excelled and had a great future. But the advisors had a different agenda that was self serving. When that agenda was not met, the advisors leveraged their influence and administered the cool aide of years past to pull the kid away from what was a glowing personal future back into a situation that was better for the advisors. The kid became a pawn in a power play. He had divided laoyalties. He went with the oldest. Now he goes wherever the advisor gets a coaching job as a part of the deal. Doesn't that sound just  like interstate trafficking of child prostitution?

Per Post Trib's Michael Osipoff tweet this afternoon. My thought is interesting but blocks lately around college bball at least in P5 transfers seem to get rescinded due to all the expert public opinion.
Tweet shown below.

"From source: David Skara has been granted his release from #Valparaiso. Blocked from transferring to Vanderbilt and within Horizon League."

[tweet]722514711929970688[/tweet]

Have fun David sitting out one year and then possibly excelling in the ..... Big South ? ....    or wherever.  There is still time to change your mind.  You are cutting off family that you will not experience again.

I wonder if David was present at the ARC Awards?  That might change his mind.

Quote from: chef on April 19, 2016, 03:43:08 PM
As for the roster, a spot was left open for Keith, who is more likely going to get another year than not.

Since Chef is a knowledgeable and prudent betting man who usually is aware of the odds, I liked reading his optimism in this sentence, and I hope he is correct!

Sounds like a big test for a new coach in this situation.  If given an ultimatum (if I coach he stays, etc.) I hope they told them to stick it up their a$$.  In a nice Lutheran way though.

Kudos for not hiring them.  +1 for Coach Lottich!

Who even is the director of basketball operations and what do they actually do?

a3Huge, typically a DOBO is a person trying to cut his teeth into coaching. Many end up getting better positions after time served so to speak. I believe they can "recruit" a kid once he's on campus but cannot recruit outside like the HC and other designated assistants. Sometimes they're guys trying to get back their credibility as well.

As far as Skara and tampering, going to be hard to prove. Was there some tampering? Most likely. As I said in earlier posts, colleges reached out to Tevonn amd Jubril through their sources. Was definitely indirect contact but definitely sent out feelers. Thank God, better heads prevailed for now. Valpo is a "high" mid major now and in a state of flux will draw out the snakes if you will. College hoops is big business and if a coach can coax a kid out with "greater" possibilities, they are gonna sell that.

Blocked from transferring to Vandy? is that even an option? Is his advisor at Vandy? ???

It only makes sense that we attempt to block him from transferring to other HL schools and Vandy, given the situation regarding his leaving.  If it were more straightforward, rather than being related to Vu's 'butt hurt,' I would be against blocking any schools from his transfer list.  Since it is mainly because Vu didn't get a Valpo job, and convinced David to leave because of it, I find it more than just...

It is typical for most if not all programs to prevent any underclassmen transfer from going to an Inconference school ( and most conferences have that stipulation as well) to help save thier brand or asset that is their program. Often they'll truncate that outward to schools they may possibly play or have an arrangement with in advance in the future. When a coach leaves, they typically include the former coach's new school as well to prevent any kind of presight tampering or just to be sour grapes, who knows.

In the case of 4 year or kids who satisfied their eligibility by getting their degree at the original school, none of that applies as they are true "free agents" if you will. In the end it is common practice and in the grand scheme of things you're really not limiting any kid as they have, like, 325 other programs they can go to.

Quote from: a3uge on April 19, 2016, 09:54:53 PM
Who even is the director of basketball operations and what do they actually do?

One account of the DOBO position....

http://www.testudotimes.com/2014/5/21/5738070/director-of-basketball-operations-job-description

Each coach has a different plan for the DOBO. Both Will Phipps and Luke Simons were a combination traveling secretary/assistant to the head coach. Matt Lottich has a different plan for the DOBO. He's hired a very successful former head coach, and he's going to help with scouting and game planning. The DOBO has two main restrictions - he can't be on the road recruiting and he can't be on the court coaching during practice. Thus the schools have many options for the DOBO. Bryce and Matt have a different philosophy.

Quote from: ValpoFan on April 19, 2016, 11:41:32 PM
Blocked from transferring to Vandy? is that even an option? Is his advisor at Vandy? ???

This is not unusual. For both football and bb grad transfers, they might also exclude schools in their upcoming season schedule.

Quote from: chef on April 20, 2016, 08:20:32 AM
Each coach has a different plan for the DOBO. Both Will Phipps and Luke Simons were a combination traveling secretary/assistant to the head coach. Matt Lottich has a different plan for the DOBO. He's hired a very successful former head coach, and he's going to help with scouting and game planning. The DOBO has two main restrictions - he can't be on the road recruiting and he can't be on the court coaching during practice. Thus the schools have many options for the DOBO. Bryce and Matt have a different philosophy.

That article is a very good accounting of what a DOBO does (in short, anything and everything that is needed to get done that otherwise would interfere with coaching and off campus recruiting).  The other thing that is critical and that was brought up by the Nebraska DOBO is coordinating travel logistics.  Getting players, coaches, trainers, media, and other athletic staff on buses, planes and trains and hotels and restaurants and back home again is a lot of work.

Quote from: covufan on April 20, 2016, 08:20:48 AM

Quote from: ValpoFan on April 19, 2016, 11:41:32 PM
Blocked from transferring to Vandy? is that even an option? Is his advisor at Vandy? ???

This is not unusual. For both football and bb grad transfers, they might also exclude schools in their upcoming season schedule.

If you recall just a few weeks ago Spike Albrecht was graduate xferring from Michigan and UM, at first, put restrictions on where he could go (no B1G schools) but eventually backed off due to the bad PR it gave them.  Spike is now rumored to be talking with Purdue (along with Syracuse).

True, but I highly doubt that we will be cast in such a light in this instance, and I believe that the restrictions will remain.

Quote from: valpotx on April 20, 2016, 08:58:42 AM
True, but I highly doubt that we will be cast in such a light in this instance, and I believe that the restrictions will remain.

Absolutely correct.  Skara is a non-graduate Xfer.  Valpo has every right to place blocks in the release -- and should, based on how this thing went down.  Albrecht completed his degree and, as ValpoDad mentioned, is virtually a free agent -- that's what got UM in PR trouble.  I was responding to the grad part of COVUFAN's reply.

Someone posted an advertisement/highlight reel on YouTube of Skara yesterday. The username has uploaded about a dozen videos, all for Euro players.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ismscout

glad i was wrong. Also looking at the username of those videos we know who it is now. Ismscout. Which brings me to this. Why/how did Skara get to play NCAA ball if there's an agent involved?!

man, that full house HL championship game looked good at the ARC. 

Quote from: Vale O. Paradise on April 20, 2016, 09:22:15 AM
Someone posted an advertisement/highlight reel on YouTube of Skara yesterday. The username has uploaded about a dozen videos, all for Euro players.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ismscout

Interesting how quickly this YouTube came together and from so many separate sources.  ISMScout may have been collecting these over time as a fallback. This is really looking slimy.  Its this affinity I have for Oliver Stone conspiracy theories   ::)

I was actually going to say the same thing.  How did they pull all of this together so quickly from so many sources?  It almost seemed planned as of several weeks back, and is looking like there may be some underhanded things going on.  It's too bad, as David does seem like a good kid. 

ISMscout is Dave Maravilla (Founder/assistant coach/pro agent of Don Bosco Prep). The other players are Don Bosco former player or current players. Dave brings kids in from all over Europe and from all over the world to play in his prep program that have NCAA potential and develops them and Dave has MANY connections throughout the NCAA coaching ranks and connects players with coaches to help them scholarships and spots on teams. He develops a father/son/mentor relations with these kids. A lot of these kids entrust their careers with Dave. We have to remember that the kids that go to Don Bosco are from another country and there is a strong bond and mentor relationship with Dave and the coaches there, so when he suggests something it has huge pull. I don't know if the Ivan assistant coaching ultimatum is true, but there seems to be a some smoke there. Not sure we'll ever find out the truth, because I don't see either party admitting what truly happened.

Quote from: VU2014 on April 20, 2016, 11:20:19 AM
ISMscout is Dave Maravilla (Founder/assistant coach/pro agent of Don Bosco Prep). The other players are Don Bosco former player or current players. Dave brings kids in from all over Europe and from all over the world to play in his prep program that have NCAA potential and develops them and Dave has MANY connections throughout the NCAA coaching ranks and connects players with coaches to help them scholarships and spots on teams. He develops a father/son/mentor relations with these kids. A lot of these kids entrust their careers with Dave. We have to remember that the kids that go to Don Bosco are from another country and there is a strong bond and mentor relationship with Dave and the coaches there, so when he suggests something it has huge pull. I don't know if the Ivan assistant coaching ultimatum is true, but there seems to be a some smoke there. Not sure we'll ever find out the truth, because I don't see either party admitting what truly happened.

Shades of Bob Jones and Cool Aid.

Quote from: chef on April 19, 2016, 09:23:07 AM
There are adults that David is close to that were hoping to get on the new VU staff, when they didn't they encouraged David to leave.

Doesn't sound like they acted like mature adults.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Skara's NBA outlook isn't at the level of Peters, but David is still a good player who can definitely play in Europe, imo and Dave Maravilla could help make his career in Europe by getting him on the right team. A lot of things in life are about putting yourself in the right position to find a role somewhere and you just need to find that opportunity. I wouldn't want to go against Dave if I were him because he has so many connections that he could help put him in the right position somewhere post collegiate career. Remember that Maravilla is also an agent for many of his former players including Ivan (when he was a pro in Europe). From a strictly post collegiate career business decision sticking with with dave and what "he thinks is best" is probably I wise decision. When you leave your native country to play at Don Bosco you aren't just going there to develop your basketball skills. You are also going there for Dave's connections and agent advice for your future career.

Quote from: VU2014 on April 20, 2016, 11:20:19 AM
ISMscout is Dave Maravilla (Founder/assistant coach/pro agent of Don Bosco Prep). The other players are Don Bosco former player or current players. Dave brings kids in from all over Europe and from all over the world to play in his prep program that have NCAA potential and develops them and Dave has MANY connections throughout the NCAA coaching ranks and connects players with coaches to help them scholarships and spots on teams. He develops a father/son/mentor relations with these kids. A lot of these kids entrust their careers with Dave. We have to remember that the kids that go to Don Bosco are from another country and there is a strong bond and mentor relationship with Dave and the coaches there, so when he suggests something it has huge pull. I don't know if the Ivan assistant coaching ultimatum is true, but there seems to be a some smoke there. Not sure we'll ever find out the truth, because I don't see either party admitting what truly happened.

We have to remember that David Skara is a kid (young man) from a foreign country.  In his view, he may owe more to those that brought him here and initially helped him, vice those that are just his coaches and educators.  I'm sure he is very confused, and finds himself quite a distance from those that he could really use right now. 

Those that are close to the program need to let this young man know that we appreciate his hard work the last two years, and understand he is in a difficult situation.

It's a shame when some of these bball/football prep factories hide behind a religious facade as well. Assuming this is Dave Maravilla's work, and his mentality is really to drive away a kid whose school wouldn't give him what he wants, it's an absolute sham to see his LinkedIn page that has him posing in front of a banner with a cross on it. And then venture over to the web page that lists himself and Athletic Director / CEO. What a scumbag. Always loved JHawk when he was here and hope he's not involved in this in any way.

I'm not yet fifty so I don't want to come off "Get off my lawn!" here, but i'm also putting in a call to the Diocese of Gary to make sure none of my contributions to the collection plate get used to fund this sham.

Quote from: VU2014 on April 20, 2016, 11:20:19 AMNot sure we'll ever find out the truth,

You have already been told the truth.

little confused.  Is it Dave Maravilla or Ivan Jukic responsible for Skara leaving?  I know he has been granted his release but is there a possibility of our staff and players convincing him to stay? 

The one who calls the shots is probably Dave Maravilla. Skara chose to follow him because he will probably become his agent after college. Skara is trusting Dave because he thinks he knows whats best for David's career. I don't think leaving Valpo is in his best interests, but from his view point I guess he trusts what Maravilla says.

I just want to know the whole story of how the H this went down. Was there some sort of undisclosed secret handshake with Ivan? And when Bryce left it was never in Valpo's best interest to hire him? I have a lot of respect for Coach Lottich for not making a hire based on one player and his disgruntled former prep-coach/future agent. Doing whats best for the future of the program should always come first.

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 20, 2016, 02:46:58 PMI know he has been granted his release but is there a possibility of our staff and players convincing him to stay? 

I'm speculating, but I imagine nothing technically irrevocable has happened yet. He may not have a scholarship at Valpo for next year (do they sign annual renewal letters at some point?), but that could probably technically still happen. Signing such a letter some place else may technically close the door. Of course, in reality, bridges may already have been burnt, from one side or the other. Or, who knows, discussion may still be ongoing.

There have been rumors, at least, in the past of releases being requested, where those students never left the program.

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 20, 2016, 02:46:58 PM
little confused.  Is it Dave Maravilla or Ivan Jukic responsible for Skara leaving?  I know he has been granted his release but is there a possibility of our staff and players convincing him to stay?

Under the circumstances of this situation and the blocking, Valpo may not take him back if he changed his mind. There has to be some bad blood and it may be difficult to patch things up. It may be better for all concerned, the coach and the team to let things stand as they are.

Quote from: agibson on April 20, 2016, 04:46:32 PM

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 20, 2016, 02:46:58 PMI know he has been granted his release but is there a possibility of our staff and players convincing him to stay?

I'm speculating, but I imagine nothing technically irrevocable has happened yet. He may not have a scholarship at Valpo for next year (do they sign annual renewal letters at some point?), but that could probably technically still happen. Signing such a letter some place else may technically close the door. Of course, in reality, bridges may already have been burnt, from one side or the other. Or, who knows, discussion may still be ongoing.

There have been rumors, at least, in the past of releases being requested, where those students never left the program.

The release of the Skara highlight YouTube didn't help things.

If David changed his mind I'm pretty sure the coaches, players and athletic department would be happy to have him back. Only thing is that he be choosing one-side over the other and his relationship with Maravilla & Ivan might be fractured after that. Just my speculation.

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 20, 2016, 02:46:58 PM
little confused.  Is it Dave Maravilla or Ivan Jukic responsible for Skara leaving?

Chef's post would seem to indicate that both individuals played a role:

Let's end the speculation. David is very close with Dave Maravilla and Ivan Vujic. Maravilla was very influential in Vujic going to Valpo as well as Skara. When Vujic was not hired as an assistant coach, the dominoes fell and Skara asked for his release. There's obviously more to the story but that's the focal point behind Skara leaving. The shame of it is Skara had a great relationship with Matt Lottich and was extremely excited when Matt got the job.

VU2014, is 100% right, the staff would welcome him back with open arms if he so chose to. One thing I've noticed from the admissions process, to the "recruitment" of a non-athlete, Valpo is 100% student focused. They get rejected proabably 20-30% of the time by non athletes that come here, the admin is used to it and I'm guessing developed tough skin, that includes the Athletic Department.

The football team alone is seeing an exodus of players they brought here. My daughter said about 10 girls left at semester and another few are leaving after finals. Valpo just wasn't right for them, Valpo is totally right for her by her responses but I get it. I started at UIC, I didn't like that there were thousands of kids in each of my classes and I transferred to DePaul. They're still babies, but thinking, feeling, maturing babies so if a kid makes a decision so be it. If they came back and said they made a mistake (Prodigal Son reference) wouldn't we, as a Christian school welcome them back? I don't think Skara is coming back, he put his trust in others above this coaching staff or even the last one. For all we know, even if Drew stayed on, he may be leaving as his "mentors" didn't like the way he was utilized this year and doubt his utilization for the next.

But with all that, the kid, himself should be kept in mind. Can Skara get a good degree here that will position himself better in life? An emphatic yes my friends. If his "mentors" are using this to get paid at some level whether it be domestic pro or overseas pro and get a cut and don't care where he goes in life after that then shame on them. If you truly believe in the kid and want what's best you'll see big picture for him and not your own personal gain. I feel once Skara or any other Don Bosco kid doesn't feed the meal train, they are an afterthought. Had he stayed at Valpo and received a degree He'd be far from an afterthought. But we all have to live with our decisions in every station of life. I wish him well.

I'm thinking of giving my user name to ValpoDad.  He seems to deserve it.  Ton of inside info.

I do not dispute the good points made below, but I do want to make sure there isn't any misunderstanding. At the same time, I also do not want to reveal any specific numbers that haven't been made public by the university. However, I can attest that the retention rate for students at Valparaiso University is very good, well above the national average and higher than those at most peer universities, which contributes to the fact the last two years saw overall student populations that were the largest in more than 40 years.

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on April 20, 2016, 06:14:52 PM
VU2014, is 100% right, the staff would welcome him back with open arms if he so chose to. One thing I've noticed from the admissions process, to the "recruitment" of a non-athlete, Valpo is 100% student focused. They get rejected proabably 20-30% of the time by non athletes that come here, the admin is used to it and I'm guessing developed tough skin, that includes the Athletic Department.

The football team alone is seeing an exodus of players they brought here. My daughter said about 10 girls left at semester and another few are leaving after finals. Valpo just wasn't right for them, Valpo is totally right for her by her responses but I get it. I started at UIC, I didn't like that there were thousands of kids in each of my classes and I transferred to DePaul. They're still babies, but thinking, feeling, maturing babies so if a kid makes a decision so be it. If they came back and said they made a mistake (Prodigal Son reference) wouldn't we, as a Christian school welcome them back? I don't think Skara is coming back, he put his trust in others above this coaching staff or even the last one. For all we know, even if Drew stayed on, he may be leaving as his "mentors" didn't like the way he was utilized this year and doubt his utilization for the next.

But with all that, the kid, himself should be kept in mind. Can Skara get a good degree here that will position himself better in life? An emphatic yes my friends. If his "mentors" are using this to get paid at some level whether it be domestic pro or overseas pro and get a cut and don't care where he goes in life after that then shame on them. If you truly believe in the kid and want what's best you'll see big picture for him and not your own personal gain. I feel once Skara or any other Don Bosco kid doesn't feed the meal train, they are an afterthought. Had he stayed at Valpo and received a degree He'd be far from an afterthought. But we all have to live with our decisions in every station of life. I wish him well.

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on April 20, 2016, 06:14:52 PMThe football team alone is seeing an exodus of players they brought here.

The football team, based on this past weekend, remained pretty well intact. They lost a QB and 2 WRs. A RB DNR because of injury. Was there anyone else? Feel free to answer on the football board.

A quick google search led me to Maravilla's client list. 12/22 of his clients are currently without a team. What an impressive agent. I was hoping Skara will be smarter than that. But if he feels that sitting for a year and then playing (or sitting on the bench) for new coaches and new system will improve his future... Good luck to him  :crazy:

Quote from: valpopal on April 20, 2016, 09:15:06 PMVarsity

Hey Pal, (shout to my mam RogerWilco), you're right on, Valpo's retention is very good especially comparable to other schools. And why wouldn't it be? My point was not every situation is right for every kid that walks through the doors. Especially when you're dealing with young adults. In her dorm 10 girls left and a few others are leaving at the end of the year. All things considered, a good retention rate at the end of the day.


And as far as the football team goes, she stays in Alumni Hall and knows a few left at the end of the Fall Semester to go elsewhere where they thought they could get more playing time. At the end it was lower tiered schools. Plus she's been dating a guy, a good guy I might add, that's a Jr LB on the team and that is where the football info comes from. The last thing I would ever do is tarnish Valpo's rep in any way but it seems we offer and bring on a lot of kids from a Football perspective and when they don't play right away, decide they want to go somewhere they can. It is the Milenial conundrum, we are creating where rsther than paying dues so to speak, they want it now and if they don't they feel the grass is greener.

Valpo usually retains a large pool of students, but I do remember large groups of people leaving after FR and SO years.  Pgmado will remember that the crew I 'ran' with just about everywhere (BHG) during those years, went from about 15 solid to about 5, by the time that I graduated.  It was probably a sigh of relief for him, as we didn't make his RA job very easy...

I actually wanted to quote ValpoPals response and it didn't quite take. From what I understand, at least 12 kids,  transferred out after the Fall semester whom were Freshmen football players. I will try and get names if need be. I know one in particular came here from Gary and was told whatever monies were afforded to him in "scholarship" would not be there for his Sophmore year so he decided to skip then as he nor his family could not afford Valpo tuition in its entirety. Apparently he is playing JUCO football next year. Being a NON scholarship sport, but affording grants and other tuition relief to players, I know that the football staff has to be selective on who they give "opportunities" to. Football is a much different animal than Basketball.

As far as Football goes, I know I can answer any questions you may have as the person dating my daughter is playing within the program.

ValpoTx, I'm glad you gave Pgmado a lot of crap and made him earn his keep as a RA.
As I recall, he transferred to Valpo...So, hazing him as your RA made up for him missing at least his freshman year at VU.

Valpotx, I can say from the 10 girls transferring out mid term, 6-8 were girls who decided they wanted to be closer to home. One girl, it breaks my heart as I met her and was nothing more than sweet, had parents going through a divorce and her dad wouldn't pay for her college. I would never ever do that to my kid, especially if I loved her but apparently it was a contentious separation. The few girls leaving now are a result of typical drama as they didn't get along with their roommate or others on campus, or didn't get the Sority they selected.

In Alumni Hall, the girls get the 3rd and 5th floors and the boys get 2 and 4. The boys floors are typically made up of a lot of football players. The first floor is upperclassman that aren't frat guys are have other living arrangements, hence how she met her BF.

As an addendum, I know the football team is hurting at QB as most of the returnees are still nursing injuries.

I reacted very strongly when Traitor boy (formerly known as golden boy) left as our head coach in search of fame and fortune.  I said he was dead to me.  Many of you criticized me for this comment.

Now you see why I made it.

I said this because the departure of the Drew family sets in motion a chain of dominoes which will be impossible to halt.  Within three years we will be back to the pre Drew era (4-24) and you will all be left holding the bag.

I for one am bailing early.  Thanks Bryce.

Wisco, I think you're jumping the gun here my friend. Skara's loss hurts but does not devestate the program just as Drew leaving doesn't. Give Lottich a chance to build on what his predecessor did before ringing a death knell to a proud program. A Drew mass exodus affords the Valpo community a chance to seize prime real estate at lower prices since a bunch of higher priced homes are now on here market. You want to have a home on the course at Aberdeen, now is your chance!!!

Wisco, C U Next Tournament when you're back on the bandwagon!

Anyway, it seems shady that there was an expectation that Vujic was going to be appointed to the staff.  :-X

The most fantastic tale told by VU basketball is with foreign players not knowing the difference between Valpo and Duke. I'll just say, it's no miracle that VU has landed so many international players over the years.

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 20, 2016, 11:38:08 PM
I reacted very strongly when Traitor boy (formerly known as golden boy) left as our head coach in search of fame and fortune.  I said he was dead to me.  Many of you criticized me for this comment.

Now you see why I made it.

I said this because the departure of the Drew family sets in motion a chain of dominoes which will be impossible to halt.  Within three years we will be back to the pre Drew era (4-24) and you will all be left holding the bag.

I for one am bailing early.  Thanks Bryce.

Bye Felicia

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 20, 2016, 11:38:08 PM
I reacted very strongly when Traitor boy (formerly known as golden boy) left as our head coach in search of fame and fortune.  I said he was dead to me.  Many of you criticized me for this comment.

Now you see why I made it.

I said this because the departure of the Drew family sets in motion a chain of dominoes which will be impossible to halt.  Within three years we will be back to the pre Drew era (4-24) and you will all be left holding the bag.

I for one am bailing early.  Thanks Bryce.

:troll:

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on April 20, 2016, 11:25:58 PMI actually wanted to quote ValpoPals response and it didn't quite take. From what I understand, at least 12 kids,  transferred out after the Fall semester whom were Freshmen football players. I will try and get names if need be. I know one in particular came here from Gary and was told whatever monies were afforded to him in "scholarship" would not be there for his Sophmore year so he decided to skip then as he nor his family could not afford Valpo tuition in its entirety. Apparently he is playing JUCO football next year. Being a NON scholarship sport, but affording grants and other tuition relief to players, I know that the football staff has to be selective on who they give "opportunities" to. Football is a much different animal than Basketball. As far as Football goes, I know I can answer any questions you may have as the person dating my daughter is playing within the program.

Between the kids in uniform and the injured for spring players there were over 70 rostered spring players over the weekend. They graduated 15 or so. They lost RB Legend who was injured and DNR plus 2 WRs and a QB after the season. During the fall there were a few who dropped off the team when they realized they weren't going to move off the scout team. All of this is quite normal and is actually better than last year's transition.

Paul's most recent article on this situation in the NWI Times

http://www.nwitimes.com/blogs/sports/inside-vu-sports/the-servant-of-two-masters/article_9b8322d0-07ef-11e6-a241-f74cbb5d6508.html

Well worth reading.  It chronicles pretty much what happened and how it went down.  It includes direct quotes from Maravilla, so there is balance there. 

Thanks, Paul, for supplying context and perspective.

F$%#'N phenomenal story, Paul.


Maravilla is a scumbag. Pretty much says he ordered the transfer, then whines that they're blocking a transfer to Vandy. "It's Un-Valpo like"? Really? You're hiding behind a "religious" institution while pimping these kids out and you want to talk about values? Really? Sorry. This was a great bit of reporting but only served to piss me off even more.

BTW: As someone that was around the team as much as anyone the last two years, I can tell you without question that Skara was very close to Matt....So any comment from Maravilla about coaching changes...closeness to Bryce, recruited by Bryce and Roger is all  :censored: misdirection.

That is a pretty damning story. Good work/writing by Paul. Will Paul Oren be available when Charlie Rose retires from 60 minutes? Good stuff.

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 21, 2016, 03:37:39 PM
Paul's most recent article on this situation in the NWI Times

http://www.nwitimes.com/blogs/sports/inside-vu-sports/the-servant-of-two-masters/article_9b8322d0-07ef-11e6-a241-f74cbb5d6508.html

Well worth reading.  It chronicles pretty much what happened and how it went down.  It includes direct quotes from Maravilla, so there is balance there. 

Thanks, Paul, for supplying context and perspective.

Well done!  Looks like he found the correct words.

Thank you Paul for an article well done.  Definitely feel for David, A young man that seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wonder if all our speculation on the Board has made it even more difficult for him to even think about changing his mind. Also, wondering why his name has yet to appear on the Verbal Commits website as it has been two days since his announcement. And finally how does everyone feel about VU blocking him to possibly transfer to Vanderbilt? Is there more to that story than we know about?

Quote from: RS on April 21, 2016, 05:22:41 PM
Thank you Paul for an article well done.  Definitely feel for David, A young man that seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wonder if all our speculation on the Board has made it even more difficult for him to even think about changing his mind. Also, wondering why his name has yet to appear on the Verbal Commits website as it has been two days since his announcement. And finally how does everyone feel about VU blocking him to possibly transfer to Vanderbilt? Is there more to that story than we know about?

I was thinking the same thing as I read Paul's article.  I also felt that there was a left-handed swipe at Bryce for not connecting back with the NW Indiana press after he made the decision to leave.  It goes back to what some posters have mentioned -- no real mention of Valpo in Bryce's presser or afterward. Like, maybe, there was something festering way deep down that no one knows about (my evil twin, Oliver Stone, whispering in my ear here.)

Bryce did a podcast with ESPN Basketball Andy Katz. He very briefly mentioned Valpo when he was asked about us. He gave the PR scripted line, "prayed about it, special place, blah blah blah" I'm happy for Bryce and I'm not going to lie he's in a pretty good spot and got a huge raise, but I'm not going to lie these wounds are still a little fresh and every time I hear some thing about Bryce it kind of (lightly) stings and (i hate that it) annoys me. When I heard Bryce met with branchen Hazen this week and they're in the top mix for him to go there it, just makes me think "what if" bryce stayed? Would we be likely to land him? But whatever. I'm excited for the Coach Lottich era and think we have a bright future. Sorry to get off the Skara topic.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=15271556

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 20, 2016, 11:38:08 PM
I reacted very strongly when Traitor boy (formerly known as golden boy) left as our head coach in search of fame and fortune.  I said he was dead to me.  Many of you criticized me for this comment.

Now you see why I made it.

I said this because the departure of the Drew family sets in motion a chain of dominoes which will be impossible to halt.  Within three years we will be back to the pre Drew era (4-24) and you will all be left holding the bag.

I for one am bailing early.  Thanks Bryce.

Don't let the keyboard hit you in the a__ on the way out!

So where are we now? 

~  David is conflicted in terms of torn loyalties (I think). He also has to find a school and, of course, enroll.  Then he has to get used to a brand new coach who may not know his strengths and he has to live up to transfer expectations that may be unrealistic.  He has to sit out an entire season while Valpo goes back to the HL finals and his friends are living the good life. 
~  Vujic is now persona non grata on the campus from which he graduated and has burned any bridges in terms of a coaching job at VU. 
~  Maravilla, once a great source of international prospects, is a also reviled.
~  Matt has lost a key player on a team that would be very, very good next year with David and still will be very good without him.

So, who won, who lost?  All parties lost including VU.  But the party that lost the most, IMO and so unfairly, is David.  He never would have made the NBA, but, as Valpo has demonstrated, he could do very well going back to Europe after graduation and might probably have a wonderful professional experience there. He still might, but because of the mess we witnessed, I think his mind will be forever messed up and he might never reach his potential.  He's leaving his second family.  One that nurtured him , accepted him and helped him grow.  He will be hard pressed to find that atmosphere anywhere else.

Good comments #62.  Meant to mention earlier that Vujic had a job with the basketball as head of basketball operations.  But he left for greener pastures and has since lost his job 2 times due to coaching changes. Seems like he has had is opportunity with VU.  In the end we need Matt to develop his own brand of basketball with players and coaches that will work hard for the program. Just my 2 cents.

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 21, 2016, 04:08:05 PM
F$%#'N phenomenal story, Paul.


Maravilla is a scumbag. Pretty much says he ordered the transfer, then whines that they're blocking a transfer to Vandy. "It's Un-Valpo like"? Really? You're hiding behind a "religious" institution while pimping these kids out and you want to talk about values? Really? Sorry. This was a great bit of reporting but only served to piss me off even more.

Love this post. I completely agree.

I'd be curious to know why Lottich didn't hire Vujic.  Were there hints in his interview that there would be player trouble if he was not brought on board?  If so, and Lottich took the high road, he forever has my respect!  Based on what I have read, I wouldn't put it past Vu to have done such a thing, since my view of him is forever changed.  He was always the fun-loving guy that had his own hand symbol to represent both the school and himself (an 'ok' sign to spell out 'VU').  Now, he is just some d-bag that took his ball (Skara) and went home.

Having witnessed countless legitimate, explainable misunderstandings I was at first uncomfortable with the "scumbag" characterization. BUT! As the hours tick past and the information filters in, maybe it is an understatement.

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 21, 2016, 05:30:22 PM

Quote from: RS on April 21, 2016, 05:22:41 PMThank you Paul for an article well done.  Definitely feel for David, A young man that seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wonder if all our speculation on the Board has made it even more difficult for him to even think about changing his mind. Also, wondering why his name has yet to appear on the Verbal Commits website as it has been two days since his announcement. And finally how does everyone feel about VU blocking him to possibly transfer to Vanderbilt? Is there more to that story than we know about?

I was thinking the same thing as I read Paul's article.  I also felt that there was a left-handed swipe at Bryce for not connecting back with the NW Indiana press after he made the decision to leave.  It goes back to what some posters have mentioned -- no real mention of Valpo in Bryce's presser or afterward. Like, maybe, there was something festering way deep down that no one knows about (my evil twin, Oliver Stone, whispering in my ear here.)

I don't think it odd at all that a coach moving on moved on without much reference to his former home.

Quote from: VU2624 on April 21, 2016, 10:26:19 PM

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 21, 2016, 05:30:22 PM

Quote from: RS on April 21, 2016, 05:22:41 PMThank you Paul for an article well done.  Definitely feel for David, A young man that seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wonder if all our speculation on the Board has made it even more difficult for him to even think about changing his mind. Also, wondering why his name has yet to appear on the Verbal Commits website as it has been two days since his announcement. And finally how does everyone feel about VU blocking him to possibly transfer to Vanderbilt? Is there more to that story than we know about?

I was thinking the same thing as I read Paul's article.  I also felt that there was a left-handed swipe at Bryce for not connecting back with the NW Indiana press after he made the decision to leave.  It goes back to what some posters have mentioned -- no real mention of Valpo in Bryce's presser or afterward. Like, maybe, there was something festering way deep down that no one knows about (my evil twin, Oliver Stone, whispering in my ear here.)

I don't think it odd at all that a coach moving on moved on without much reference to his former home.

This was not your normal stepping stones passing through on the way to greener pastures. Bryce was the last stage in 28 years of the Drew family coaching string.  The Drews and Valpo BB have been/were synonymous for nearly three decades. That kid grew up in the ARC, played at VHS, helped make his dad a winner, brought national recognition to the university, returned to his alma mater, paid his dues as an assistant to his father and, when it came his turn, he had a remarkable run himself. None of that would have been possible if VU had decided after those first 5 lousy years to pull the plug on Homer. Sorry, but some acknowledgement of where one is from should be in order here.

I don't see the big ordeal of giving Ivan a spot at the end of the bench.  It would have kept Skara and helped with potential Euro recruits. Plus I think its important for a Alumni to be on the staff.  Not very many places have this but I think its important. Programs do it all the time and I don't necessary think its slimy. 

JustDucky, I would normally never use that term to describe somebody I have not personally met. I would be more likely to reference the action than the individual. A company I used to work for has had some business dealings with ISM. I have more than enough "character" references to make that statement with confidence.

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 22, 2016, 06:13:20 AM
I don't see the big ordeal of giving Ivan a spot at the end of the bench.  It would have kept Skara and helped with potential Euro recruits.  Programs do it all the time and I don't necessary think its slimy.

Meh. i'd rather have CA

Quote from: oklahomamick on April 22, 2016, 06:13:20 AM
I don't see the big ordeal of giving Ivan a spot at the end of the bench.  It would have kept Skara and helped with potential Euro recruits. Plus I think its important for a Alumni to be on the staff.  Not very many places have this but I think its important. Programs do it all the time and I don't necessary think its slimy. 

You may want to rethink:

A Lesser-Known Human Trafficking Problem: Teenage Basketball Players

http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/04/06/397822833/a-lesser-known-human-trafficking-problem-teenage-basketball-players

"Basketball handlers can make money even when their players don't rise to the professional level. That's because colleges will award coaching jobs and sometimes find ways to funnel cash to coaches and scouts who can steer top  to their teams. Officially, colleges aren't allowed to pay for players, but long-time sports observers say this happens with frequency. "You have these under-the-table transactions that occur," says George Dohrmann, a Sports Illustrated writer and author of Play Their Hearts Out."

Sent from my iPhone

Lottich knew very well that he may lose Skara if Vujic wasn't hired, but he has too much integrity to play that game. Other coaches would have given in and found a spot for Vu strictly to keep the player. We should be very happy to have a new coach with great moral character.

Quote from: chef on April 22, 2016, 09:39:42 AMLottich knew very well that he may lose Skara if Vujic wasn't hired, but he has too much integrity to play that game. Other coaches would have given in and found a spot for Vu strictly to keep the player. We should be very happy to have a new coach with great moral character.

You CANNOT start out your coaching career giving in to blackmail like this. Makes it easier to do it the next time, and the next time. And before you know it you have compromised yourself so much you can barely recognize yourself.

People, have we learned nothing from Blue Chips??

Good for Matt.

Just spitballing here, but I wonder what the President's office thinks about all of this.  I mean we have a press release from Valpo on April 6th regarding Bryce Drew's departure in which Heckler is quoted as saying that he "look(s) forward to rooting for another V.U." in alluding to Vanderbilt, and now we have a transferring player who is blocked from attending the very same institution that was alluded to in that quote.  Bizarrely coincidental, isn't it?

Quote
People, have we learned nothing from Blue Chips??

Amazing scene
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Br6pTVbSQ

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 21, 2016, 11:01:42 PM

Quote from: VU2624 on April 21, 2016, 10:26:19 PM

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 21, 2016, 05:30:22 PM

Quote from: RS on April 21, 2016, 05:22:41 PMThank you Paul for an article well done.  Definitely feel for David, A young man that seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wonder if all our speculation on the Board has made it even more difficult for him to even think about changing his mind. Also, wondering why his name has yet to appear on the Verbal Commits website as it has been two days since his announcement. And finally how does everyone feel about VU blocking him to possibly transfer to Vanderbilt? Is there more to that story than we know about?

I was thinking the same thing as I read Paul's article.  I also felt that there was a left-handed swipe at Bryce for not connecting back with the NW Indiana press after he made the decision to leave.  It goes back to what some posters have mentioned -- no real mention of Valpo in Bryce's presser or afterward. Like, maybe, there was something festering way deep down that no one knows about (my evil twin, Oliver Stone, whispering in my ear here.)

I don't think it odd at all that a coach moving on moved on without much reference to his former home.

This was not your normal stepping stones passing through on the way to greener pastures. Bryce was the last stage in 28 years of the Drew family coaching string.  The Drews and Valpo BB have been/were synonymous for nearly three decades. That kid grew up in the ARC, played at VHS, helped make his dad a winner, brought national recognition to the university, returned to his alma mater, paid his dues as an assistant to his father and, when it came his turn, he had a remarkable run himself. None of that would have been possible if VU had decided after those first 5 lousy years to pull the plug on Homer. Sorry, but some acknowledgement of where one is from should be in order here.

I think this is all etched in fans inability to let go over what a coach moving on should do. He did what I expected.

Quote from: crusaderjoe on April 22, 2016, 10:27:52 AMJust spitballing here, but I wonder what the President's office thinks about all of this.  I mean we have a press release from Valpo on April 6th regarding Bryce Drew's departure in which Heckler is quoted as saying that he "look(s) forward to rooting for another V.U." in alluding to Vanderbilt, and now we have a transferring player who is blocked from attending the very same institution that was alluded to in that quote.  Bizarrely coincidental, isn't it?

the blocking of the player is perfectly normal. The school president rooting for another school is the more odd statement. How about "we wish him well" and leaving it at that.

Quote from: RS on April 21, 2016, 05:22:41 PMAnd finally how does everyone feel about VU blocking him to possibly transfer to Vanderbilt? Is there more to that story than we know about?

Not sure that I agree with blocking Vanderbilt.  As has been said, the person that really gets hurt in all of this is David and I don't know that a school should be blocking a student for going anywhere if we truly have a young person's best interests at heart.  If David would go to Vanderbilt and have a wonderful remainder to his career and then goes on to make millions in Europe, why would we want to hinder that potential outcome?  That's what schools are suppose to help happen.  Will we be perceived as soft by other coaches and schools... probably, but what the heck, help the kids make the right choice for themselves even in this convoluted scenario.

I know this is a little bit different, but at Concordia Lutheran High School we sign off on any student that wants to transfer for whatever reason including athletics.  If parents don't want the kid to be there or if the kid is unhappy why make things worse by restricting a transfer.  I have seen kids drastically affected by the decision of schools to restrict transfers.

Isn't transferring for athletic reasons a violation of IHSAA rules? 

I think you are right, wh. 
In addition college athletics are completely different from high school athletics...no comparison.  Besides, there is not near the degree of money, etc. involved as often is the case in the world of college athletics.

Seems to me there are lots of messages being sent in this transfer situation with most of them unfortunate, particularly for Skara.  With the coaching change Skara's handlers took it as an opportunity to send a message to Valpo. "Put our guy on your coaching staff or else were pulling a player we control and probably cutting off a source of recruits". Straight out power play by intimidation bordering on extortion. New coach responds by sending message that he won't be intimidated. Says you can pull him but you're not going to get everything you want by blocking transfer to Horizon league schools some of whom recruited Skara heavily back in the day, and Vandy where old coach that had relationship with you went.  Also sending message to former coach saying you were our guy but now you are our competitor for players and while you have all the advantages a P5 conference gives you we are not just going to roll over and let you raid us.  We will use what little leverage we have to defend our program.

Also sending message to Skara and other players these handlers have under control saying if you're going to let these guys pull you from a situation you were happy with just to serve their ends you are not going to have everything your way. There are consequences for actions and you better get used to it. You chose to do what your handlers wanted because you felt it was in your own best interest. You may not have felt you had much of a choice but it was your choice none the less. So be it. Besides you still have over 300 D1 programs you can transfer to.

I think it sucks that Skara's handlers put us in this situation.  I wish everyone would simply act in the best interest of the player. But that doesn't seem to be the world we live in now.  All parties seem to use whatever leverage they have to further their own interests. Unfortunate.

He may have done Bryce and other coaches a favor by blocking him. Lottich made the right decision - his New Trier and Stanford education paid off.

The sad part about this scummy situation is that it hurts Valpo a little talentwise in the long run. Croatian players, influenced by their sumbag mentors,  will be reluctant to play there.

Good look at this happening to a larger degree with Tubby Smith and Memphis: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25563443/inside-college-hoops-tubby-smith-is-facing-his-first-dilemma-at-memphis (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25563443/inside-college-hoops-tubby-smith-is-facing-his-first-dilemma-at-memphis)

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 20, 2016, 11:38:08 PM
I reacted very strongly when Traitor boy (formerly known as golden boy) left as our head coach in search of fame and fortune.  I said he was dead to me.  Many of you criticized me for this comment.

Now you see why I made it.

I said this because the departure of the Drew family sets in motion a chain of dominoes which will be impossible to halt.  Within three years we will be back to the pre Drew era (4-24) and you will all be left holding the bag.

I for one am bailing early.  Thanks Bryce.

Get over it. Move on. Geesh.

Quote from: wh on April 23, 2016, 09:56:47 AM
Isn't transferring for athletic reasons a violation of IHSAA rules? 

Only if the school from which the student transfers reports it as such, CLHS does not and signs off on the student transfer.

Quote from: VU2014 on April 21, 2016, 05:43:24 PM
Bryce did a podcast with ESPN Basketball Andy Katz. He very briefly mentioned Valpo when he was asked about us. He gave the PR scripted line, "prayed about it, special place, blah blah blah" I'm happy for Bryce and I'm not going to lie he's in a pretty good spot and got a huge raise, but I'm not going to lie these wounds are still a little fresh and every time I hear some thing about Bryce it kind of (lightly) stings and (i hate that it) annoys me. When I heard Bryce met with branchen Hazen this week and they're in the top mix for him to go there it, just makes me think "what if" bryce stayed? Would we be likely to land him? But whatever. I'm excited for the Coach Lottich era and think we have a bright future. Sorry to get off the Skara topic.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=15271556

Sometimes recovery is a b- :censored:

Note to Vu:

Nobody is entitled to anything. Retaliation cause you didn't get what you want is a classless act.

Quote from: vusupporter on April 23, 2016, 10:53:00 AM
Good look at this happening to a larger degree with Tubby Smith and Memphis: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25563443/inside-college-hoops-tubby-smith-is-facing-his-first-dilemma-at-memphis (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25563443/inside-college-hoops-tubby-smith-is-facing-his-first-dilemma-at-memphis)

I guess I'm not as surprised that this goes on at the high major level, particularly at schools that are trying to break into the elite group. When you control the kind of talent that could get a school there you have a ton of leverage. And at least the dad is open about what he is doing, as despicable as I find it as opposed to pretending it's the kid who initiated it like Skarra's handlers appear to be doing. I'm a bit surprised though that Skarra's handlers see that Valpo is in a place that they would be desperate enough to keep talent or that they think  Skarra is talented enough that Valpo would cave to keep him. To my untrained eye his first two years showed a player good enough to contribute with the potential to be a very good player by the time he finished his senior year. But nowhere near the level that Valpo should cave to extortion to keep. 

I suppose it is a backhanded compliment to the program that Skarra's handlers thought we had climbed high enough among D1 programs that we would cave to stay there. Whether Skarra was the kid who would make the difference is questionable. I wish he would stay but it will be interesting to see where he lands and how well he does there.  Will be interesting to see if Vu ends up at the same school in some capacity.

Quote from: Just Sayin on April 23, 2016, 01:57:14 PMNobody is entitled to anything. Retaliation cause you didn't get what you want is a classless act.

What's the opposite of devil's advocate? Permit me to go all Martin Luther-8th command here for a moment and try to find the best possible construction from the Maravilla-Vujic camp (but, frankly, Todd and even Paul Oren make them look pretty bad - and I'm inclined to believe those guys). What if Vujic _was_ promised something? Or significant hints were dropped, etc. Or Vujic and Skara _think_ that was the case, perhaps? Some kind of a misunderstanding, and then resulting hurt feelings. I could imagine how Skara, especially, might get caught up in this kind of thinking. If it looks like his mentor is being done dirty, he might be left with a bad impression of those who seem to be doing the double crossing.

Quote from: FWalum on April 23, 2016, 01:23:57 PM

Quote from: wh on April 23, 2016, 09:56:47 AM
Isn't transferring for athletic reasons a violation of IHSAA rules? 

Only if the school from which the student transfers reports it as such, CLHS does not and signs off on the student transfer.

Yes, it's against the rules.  Just because the schools don't report the violation doesn't make it against the rules; it just means the student is allowed to violate them.  It also means that the administrators are lying when they are asked on the transfer form whether or not the transfer is for athletic purposes.

I wonder what David's teammates think of him? Bryce and Luke (on the radio post games) and more recently Matt have all indicated how close this group is.  That they are all good friends that do everything together outside of basketball. How no one wanted the season to end because they were having that much fun.  How they held a players-only meeting called by Shane where everyone including David expressed support for keeping the team together.  Then, before the ink's barely dry on Matts contract, David just up and walks away, leaving his brothers high and dry. We can blame the clown that heads up the prep school and Benedict Vu Arnold all we want (and we should) but I'll bet money David's teammates aren't portraying him as a victim the way some of us are on the board.

I'm sure everyone on the team has had to make difficult choices, even at their age. Some of our guys may have grown up with far more difficult challenges than David has been faced with and yet found a way to avoid the gangs, stay away from drugs, or whatever the case. Let's be honest, David made a selfish choice based on misplaced loyalties. I don't wish him any ill will in any way, but that doesn't mean I'm going to tembrr him as some brainwashed little boy either.

WH, your thoughts are ones that to this point have not beenadequately voiced. Thanks for adding that perspective to the discussion.  I too have been wondering what the players are saying, thinking, doing relative to this predicament. The few player Twitter accounts I looked at are silent.

I keep thinking that Maravilla and Vujic were trying to take advantage of the coaching change, and it backfired because Coach Lottich doesn't believe in back scratching that gives an 'advisor' for an athlete a job just to keep a particular player on the roster after a coaching change. I'm glad that Coach Lottich stood tall to this, as it could have made some of his coaching and recruiting decisions really mess up what he wants for his coaching career. Good move, Coach Lottich! Valpo doesn't need to play that kinda of game to be successful at the D-1 level.

I am keeping this post straight on Vujic. Let's all keep this in mind Vujic had 2 bigger jobs post Valpo, Northwestern and DePaul. These are 2 major conference teams that have been garbage for more than some time so they have an air of desperation more son than their better positioned conference mates. NU hired Vujic to tap into his Eastern European connections and help develop bigs, after a time, he didn't do either and was let go. Goes to DePaul, gets Sandi Maricinius who was an Honorable Mention JCAA, came in with high hopes and delivered nothing. I can attest to that. Was supposed to deliver the East European players and work with bigs, he failed. There's a reason he was out of work for a year at his age, there's a reason why he was let go or not retained at his last 2 jobs. He isn't that good of a coach. Assistants that lose their jobs are usually the result of regime change, those considered good are gobbled up right away. Think about the Vandy Assistant that Bryce released going to Stanford.

Honestly guys, even if Skara who will always be gone, moves on, we are better for it. At the outbreak of the news (Drew leaving), if you were told (Peters withstanding because, he's Alec Peters), that all we would lose was David Skara, I think most, if not all, would've been okay with that. Is he a key contributor? Yes. Do college teams lose keys every year? Yes. Do good teams bounce back from it? Yes, yes they do. Is David Skara worth having a potential slug like Ivan Vujic on staff who has no real track record of developing players or bringing talent to your school in lieu of a guy who are new HC feels can? Hell NO. 'nuff said.

Full disclosure, I am not sure what happened to Ivan at NU but he was let go before Carmody was, so in essence he was fired by the current HC. The source I have, who is close to DePaul basketball, assured me that we (being DePaul at the time) were taking on better than advertised goods but he could deliver this Mariunius kid and Purnell was all for it and brought him on. Again desperate times calling for...

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on April 24, 2016, 02:35:34 PMThere's a reason he was out of work for a year at his age

I originally thought he might have had some kind of hiatus too, but, per the Oren piece,

Quote
Vujic spent the 2015-16 season serving as video coordinator at Marshall University in West Virginia.

Quote from: agibson on April 24, 2016, 05:44:26 PM

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on April 24, 2016, 02:35:34 PMThere's a reason he was out of work for a year at his age

I originally thought he might have had some kind of hiatus too, but, per the Oren piece,

Quote
Vujic spent the 2015-16 season serving as video coordinator at Marshall University in West Virginia.

And by total coincidence Marshall's roster includes 6-9 freshman ALEKSANDAR DOZIC from - wait for it - Don Bosco Prep.

http://www.herdzone.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/aleksandar_dozic_977521.html

Obviously, the Scara situation isn't the Bosco clownmaster's and Benedict Vu Arnold's first exaction rodeo.

Sent from my iPhone

Another mystery solved by Sherlock Hemlock. Congrats WH  :thumbsup:

And Dozic is on Jeff Goodman's transfer list...

I sense a package deal brewing.  Skara, Dozic and 'Coach' Vujic to..........  wherever.  :snore:

Wow, this keeps getting shadier and shadier. Still sad to lose David but happier and happier to be free of this mess. Hope the two players find a great place to play and Vu gets blackballed.

https://twitter.com/DonBoscoHoops/status/725072727804010496

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0427-20160426-story.html

Quote from: covufan on April 26, 2016, 06:12:21 PM
[tweet]725072727804010496[/tweet]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0427-20160426-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0427-20160426-story.html)

Hutton misses the mark in this article. Calling the blocking of Skara to Vandy a "nuclear option" or "spiteful" or "going low" are exaggerations, especially considering what we know about the circumstances surrounding Skara's departure and the fact that many other high-profile schools are willing to offer Skara. Due to the apparently unseemly behavior by Skara's handlers, I believe Valpo has acted responsibly and appropriately in prohibiting Skara's transfer to Vanderbilt.

So next time, give in to the sleeze underworld of prep school basketball. Got it.

It seems a little journalistically(is that a word?) irresponsible to not mention the Ivan connection and the fact this is not the only Maravilla "client" transferring this offseason. Maravilla quoting ethics is hilarious.

It's amazing how blocking Skara is unethical, but a coach raiding his old program wouldn't be...

There's more to the story on why we blocked him to Vandy.  With Bryce not acknowledging Valpo or the fans at all when leaving except for saying his dad built the program I seem to sense some tension between Valpo and BD.

Hutton's article is complete crap.  The line that pisses me off the most is "VU had a chance to suck it up and take the high road".  Hutton, if you read on this board your story should have praised Valpo for not giving in to the bull crap that is happening.  A first time coach and a ethical administration didn't give in.  What would haunt Valpo and Lottich in the long run is hiring trash into the program. 

Hutton, stay away from the ARC this year.  Take some ethics classes at Don Bosco.

What's also surprising is that he completely contradicts Pauls article. That and chefs comments about how close Lottich and DS were show me Hutton didn't do his homework. Again, he can take any position he wants, but do a little background on all parties involved. I guess I should remember most of the local journalism around here is total crap and that we're all a little spoiled by Pauls well written and well researched writing.

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 26, 2016, 08:47:23 PM
What's also surprising is that he completely contradicts Pauls article. That and chefs comments about how close Lottich and DS were show me Hutton didn't do his homework. Again, he can take any position he wants, but do a little background on all parties involved. I guess I should remember most of the local journalism around here is total crap and that we're all a little spoiled by Pauls well written and well researched writing.

Remember his last article on Tonagel was based on an inaccurate theory due to no research. The guy is a hack. Re-read that article. It is straight from the Drew's. Classy organizations do not take players from the prior job. Classy "handlers" don't transfer players when they can't get a coach hired. Actual journalists research before they write. I would let Skara go to Vandy under any circumstance.

Mike Hutton seems to be mastering the art of the "hot take". Maybe he is angling to take Skip Bayless place on ESPN.

Every school and their mother that releases an underclassmen from scholarship due to a "coaching" change always, if not most times, includes the destination school of the former coach. This prevents a coach leaving from poaching his former roster. A shrewd move by every school that is subject to this. Anyone around college basketball knows this and is pretty standard practice. I'll put Don Bosco prep on my list of schools to root least for going forward.

Whoever said it first, shadyness at its finest and to quote Chuck Barkley, "turrible" journalism. Obviously someone has an agenda.

I agree with chairback that there is more here than meets the eye. Why would the Bosco clownmaster express such dismay at Valpo blocking a transfer to Vanderbilt unless he knew that Vanderbilt actually wanted David? And, how would he know that without inquiring on David's behalf with Bryce and/or Roger?  And, could it be that the Valpo athletic department learned about it and pulled the plug to send a message to Bryce that we're not going to turn a blind eye while you raid your former team to fill a void until you get your sea legs in a new recruiting region?

Send a tweet or comment to Hutton and Post Trib suggesting better research/facts needed before running a non factual or at very least one-sided article. Heck, give Tubby Smith a call, or maybe Matt Painter or Bo Ryan. They have gone thru unique transfer situations themselves.  Get an understanding of the behind the scenes intrigue and demands of reps/handlers of some players.... ez to blame and point fingers at the big bad schools vs a player.

I was on verbalcommits.com looking at David Skara and where he might land, when I came upon the Don Bosco retweet of the Hutton article.  Amazing that the Don Bosco tweet was within moments of the Hutton posting.  I'm gaining more respect for Coach Lottich each passing day of the Skara situation.  I really feel for Skara, who is just a young man from a foreign country caught up in this mess.  The high road (as I see it) has been taken.  The silence from pgmado, chef and ml is encouraging. 

More on this:

https://twitter.com/SectionEE/status/725127148873371648

and two responses to this:

https://twitter.com/apgibson42/status/725133531362525184

https://twitter.com/YinzerSTILLinOH/status/725129213477576704

Sad, really sad.

covufan, sad very sad is an understatement. The saddest part is that these guys somehow believe, in their own twisted logic, which is what can I get for me is that they're somehow doing a great service to these kids.

Just shows that college basketball is big business, even with mid major conferences. I'll echo this, from what has been said, I like that we play the Game straight up and with integrity. In the end, I will always believe that integrity wins out in the long run. I would rather have kids that WANT to be here because they enjoy the experience, feel the coaches have their back and will do right by them. There are kids out there that can play and have grown up with integrity that was instilled by their upbringing. I'll always say, give me a bunch of good kids that can play, have good basketball IQs and are coached properly and you'll have a winner. That's been the script for Valpo, Butler and Xavier. Pretty good company if you ask me.

To respond to various points on this thread:

Yes, I suspect there is bad blood with Bryce.  It's becoming more clear by the day.

Yes, key relationships held together by the Drew family are quickly unraveling.

Yes, the longstanding repercussions of a program in a downward spiral have already begun and are irreversible.

Yes, we are still headed back to 4-24 without the Drew family.

And finally, yes, I will enjoy watching all of you come around to my early identification of reality.

WiscoCrusader, did Bryce not accept your invitation to prom?


You're coming off like a scorned high school girl and that Bryce turned you down by saying "It's not you...It's me."


Then again, this isn't an early identification of reality as you would call it. It's more of a social observation.


Hang in there, buddy. It gets better.

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 26, 2016, 11:48:05 PM
To respond to various points on this thread:

Yes, I suspect there is bad blood with Bryce.  It's becoming more clear by the day.

Yes, key relationships held together by the Drew family are quickly unraveling.

Yes, the longstanding repercussions of a program in a downward spiral have already begun and are irreversible.

Yes, we are still headed back to 4-24 without the Drew family.

And finally, yes, I will enjoy watching all of you come around to my early identification of reality.

I have long forewarned of a day of reckoning based on 2 administrations' failure to act on pleas from the Drews (Homer for certain; Bryce presumably) to rebuild/upgrade the ARC. Like you, I proclaimed the announcement of Bryce leaving as the day the music died. 

Here's where we differ. I would love to be proven wrong and won't mind at all if I have to eat some crow down the road somewhere. The proof of the pudding will be how well Matt is able to recruit with the same facility disadvantage, but without the Drew name and national reputation to offset it. Realistically, it will take a couple of recruiting classes before we'll be able to assess that.
So far, I like what I see.  Matt has hit the ground running and the players want to play for him.

That's where I'm coming from. Still concerned for the future of Valpo basketball, but hoping for the best. My love for the program far exceeds whatever momentary satisfaction I might get in saying I told you so. You're entitled to your feelings for sure, but I'm just curious why you don't feel the same way?

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 26, 2016, 11:48:05 PM
To respond to various points on this thread:

Yes, I suspect there is bad blood with Bryce.  It's becoming more clear by the day.

Yes, key relationships held together by the Drew family are quickly unraveling.

Yes, the longstanding repercussions of a program in a downward spiral have already begun and are irreversible.

Yes, we are still headed back to 4-24 without the Drew family.

And finally, yes, I will enjoy watching all of you come around to my early identification of reality.

Thanks for posting Mr. Maravilla, but let's stop talking in generalities and give us the scoop on what really happened with the Skara transfer.

Valpo Dad, most of these types of guys don't even bother to kid themselves that they're in it for the players. My old company was involved in some AAU tournaments in Chicago shortly after I graduated from Vu. Catch these coaches in the hotel bars after a round or two, and all you hear is "Me, Me, Me. I, I, I." One of them had a six figure contract from Nike, and was told in no uncertain terms where he was to steer his players.

I have no doubt there are some decent, good, people involved but they are drowned out by the fools. The CYO coach who gives up 8 hours a week on top of job and family commitments are the ones I want teaching my kids values and hustle, not someone like Maravilla.

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 26, 2016, 11:48:05 PM
To respond to various points on this thread:

Yes, I suspect there is bad blood with Bryce.  It's becoming more clear by the day.

Yes, key relationships held together by the Drew family are quickly unraveling.

Yes, the longstanding repercussions of a program in a downward spiral have already begun and are irreversible.

Yes, we are still headed back to 4-24 without the Drew family.

And finally, yes, I will enjoy watching all of you come around to my early identification of reality.

I thought you left bro?

Someone forgot to lock the door.

Quote from: Chairback on April 26, 2016, 08:43:12 PMI seem to sense some tension between Valpo and BD.

OK. That could exist.

Quote from: WiscoCrusader on April 26, 2016, 11:48:05 PMYes, I suspect there is bad blood with Bryce.  It's becoming more clear by the day.

It is a big leap from "tension" to "bad blood". Do any of you think that Bryce was ever deliberately misled or outright lied to by the administration?

The Drew family can hardly be classified as a bunch of carpetbaggers. Bryce is a graduate of VHS and VU and has called this community home for most of his life. So naturally it is in his best interests to burn his bridges, and rob the cookie jar of any talent he can transfer to Vanderbilt? I wouldn't be shocked if the Skara transfer block wasn't exactly what Bryce wanted to see.

Hutton has certainly stuck his neck out on this one. I suspect his views will be looked back on as being really smart or really stupid. As of now I will lean toward the later.

Valpo is going to be just fine without the Drews.  We will most likely still have Bryce's shot played over and over during March Madness.  We will still have that shot shown very often when we play on ESPN/FOX/etc.  We can now point to MANY championships in our gym, and a tradition of winning.  It will continue without the Drews...

I don't know how to post a twitter link, but did anyone else notice Don Bosco's twitter account removed the Valpo U classless tweet and put an apology on it.  But directed the classless to our AD.  Sadly, this is also a reflection on Jason Hawkins who is the head coach there.  Our fans loved him when he was at Valpo.  I'm surprised he would get wrapped up in a shady organization like that.

Maybe Giovanni Melchiorre Bosco made him delete it.

According to a Bosco tweet, DS will be visiting Richmond tomorrow.

Quote from: wh on April 27, 2016, 10:14:39 PM
According to a Bosco tweet, DS will be visiting Richmond tomorrow.

Richmond will do more to showcase his talents?  From the little that I actually know about this situation, I feel quite badly for Davis Skara.

A10. 16-16 this past season. Lost in the first round of the A10T to Dayton.

Have a seat for a year David .

(OR)

You could be a valuable contributor to another HL championship run, a possible NCAA bid, but at worst another NIT run under a coach who looks like he will drag every ounce of competitiveness out of every player.

The Don Bosco tweet mentioned by Chairback reads:
"We apologize to ValparaisoU in referring to the University as"classless"The term was directed at the AD's act of denial of transferto Vandy"

Didn't they mention he had 2 offers from ACC teams (FSU and someone else?)

And he's taking his very first visit, as a transfer where timing is important, to Richmond? Seems like some smoke might have been blown...

Quote from: elephtheria47 on April 28, 2016, 07:37:47 AM
Didn't they mention he had 2 offers from ACC teams (FSU and someone else?)

And he's taking his very first visit, as a transfer where timing is important, to Richmond? Seems like some smoke might have been blown...

I was thinking exactly the same thing (I think the so-called offers were FSU and Georgia Tech). More likely, they were conversations about possible landing spots, not firm scholarship offers.

I wish David all the best and hope he lands somewhere good - he was a favorite player to watch and could have been an even more important part of the team as a junior/senior.

Quote from: vufan75 on April 28, 2016, 01:16:45 AM
The Don Bosco tweet mentioned by Chairback reads:
"We apologize to ValparaisoU in referring to the University as"classless"The term was directed at the AD's act of denial of transferto Vandy"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnBVxwLyFM4

Quote from: vufan75 on April 28, 2016, 01:16:45 AMThe Don Bosco tweet mentioned by Chairback reads: "We apologize to ValparaisoU in referring to the University as"classless"The term was directed at the AD's act of denial of transferto Vandy"

This would indicate that the not well thought out "plan" was for Skara to transfer to Vandy. Why anyone would expect Valpo or any school in this situation to not block the school the coach was moving to I'm not sure. It appears Don Bosco is a bit too invested in this situation.

Our AD and Lottich have a ton of class, which is why they decided not to be bullied into giving someone a job that has not demonstrated success in his coaching career.  Vu has burned his bridge with Valpo and with the Valpo fan base that is aware of this situation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The entitlement culture of elite HS hoops https://t.co/xdXzb5hxuk (https://t.co/xdXzb5hxuk) Entitled players don&#39;t fit in at DB!Be humble, hardworking &amp;coachable.</p>&mdash; Don Bosco Prep IN (@DonBoscoHoops) April 28, 2016 (https://twitter.com/DonBoscoHoops/status/725666599210864644)
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hilarious this guy talking about entitlement.

And that article that was referenced was from 2013.  If the lessons mentioned in the article actually took hold back then, we wouldn't have this mess.

Maravilla is a dirtbag. He has the audacity to hold one of his former players (future clients) like ransom unless our brand new head coach hires one of his henchman onto the coaching staff so he could collect a piece of Vujic's assistant coach salaries. I have no respect for that piece of scum. He doesn't care about students, the athletes or anyone other then lining his own pockets. He treats his players/clients like "cattle".

A bit late in posting it to the board, but I thought it was a good idea to also get the Torch student newspaper's slant on this issue.

Something fishy is going on with this David Skara situation.
Posted: Friday, April 22, 2016 10:14 am | Updated: 10:17 am, Fri Apr 22, 2016.
By: Tom Mantice | 0 comments

Skara has decided to transfer from the Valparaiso men's basketball team after two seasons. He is the first Crusader to transfer since Bryce Drew left the program.

Skara performed well during his Valpo career, and he always seemed to hit the big shots. It started last season when he scored a team-high 12 points in the Horizon League championship game. He also hit a game-winning 3-pointer in the NIT semifinal game against BYU and propelled his team to the championship game.

He did not play in the six-point loss against eventual No. 1 seed Oregon due to an ankle injury. He also did not play during the brutal 69-66 loss to Ball State. One could argue if Skara played in both those games, they might have split or have beaten those teams.

He was a very intriguing part in both sides of the ball and a huge part in Drew's system. Now, Matt Lottich will not be able coach the Croatia native.

The news of Skara leaving was very confusing. Skara and Lottich never seemed to have any animosity toward each other. When I did a feature on Skara last season for this newspaper, I found they had a good rapport with each other. Skara was also congratulating Lottich once he received the job.

Everything became much more clear once NWI Times reporter Paul Oren wrote that Skara may have been told to leave Valpo because former Crusader Ivan Vujic did not get a job on Lottich's coaching staff. Both Skara and Vujic are from Croatia.

Dave Maravilla is also involved because he is in charge of an international scouting agency in the Midwest. He and Skara have a connection and has helped drive international players to the school.

The frustrating aspect of the situation is Skara seemed to find a home at Valpo. He had backed up his new coach, and would have a big role in his junior season. Now, he has to sit out a year and get accustomed to a new situation with a new coach. All of this seems like the decision of Maravilla and not Skara.

This also may cause a major detour in Skara's career. He only averaged around 6.5 points per game and was banged up this past season. He may find another mid-major, but it is more likely he may play for a worse program.

The numbers are now stacked against Skara based on another man's sour grapes.

The views expressed are those of the editor and not necessarily those of The Torch.

That's a very good column. Perhaps it has made David think about his situation a bit more.

I'm hearing that Valpo High School basketball/baseball player Conner TenHove is heading to Don Bosco. Conner's a great kid, 6-foot-7 and a very good high school player with inside-outside skills. Probably a good idea for him to gain a year of experience and strength.

But I can put up some pretty good odds on where he will NOT be going for a four-year college.

If somebody falls through the cracks as the result of standing up to a vindictive extortionist (aka the Bosco clownmaster), so be it.  I could not be more proud of ml and Matt than I am right now. 

Here's my issue.  Fine, David came through the ISM "portal" and we got him.  Great, he did quite well. OK, Bryce leaves and takes an assistant or two with him -- that's to be expected.  There's a new HBBC at Valpo and there are slots open.                  So... this guy kind of has an IN via David plus a former player (now coaching).  You'd think he'd give it his best shot to get one of his guys onto the coaching staff -- that's OK, nuthin wrong with that.  But, in this case, the HBBC feels he needs to have HIS guys in place in order for him to succeed  -- who would argue with that?                             So.... the former player /aspiring coach (with less of a resume) is not selected.  Makes sense to anyone with a goose's brain.  But then, as a reaction, to use the kid, who was initially a "steal" for Valpo because he was kinda under the big time radar to, first, leverage the hiring and then to, in spite, exercise some "Bob Jones" type of influence to have that kid leave, is not logical, nor good business.  The shrewd business decision would have been to say "hey, we gave it a try.  Maybe next time.  In the meantime, let's use this kid's improving playing resume at Valpo to attract more and more talented "prep school" kids to the fold."

As Jimmy Buffett sings... " There ain't no dumb ass vaccine."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich on David Skara: "I haven't talked to David. I don't know what he's doing. You have to ask him, to tell you the truth."

Practically overnight David goes from expressing excitement that Matt was named head coach to transferring without even talking to Matt. The more we find out the more utterly bizarre this situation becomes.

Edit: Here's another thing. If the Bosco clownmaster had any hope of valpo leaving Vandy open as a transfer option, he should have instructed David to make every effort to leave on good terms. Not talking to your head coach is a cardinal sin in that regard. Clownmaster was probably fearful that if David and Matt sat down one-on-one, Matt might talk some sense into him.

It seems he has disappeared from campus. "Hustling" around trying to get into another D-I program.  So, no finals?  Lost semester of credits?  What the heck. He never paid for those anyway.

Quote from: VULB#62 on April 30, 2016, 08:59:58 AM
It seems he has disappeared from campus. "Hustling" around trying to get into another D-I program.  So, no finals?  Lost semester of credits?  What the heck. He never paid for those anyway.

I saw Skara on campus having lunch before he apparently headed to Richmond. He's certainly going to classes.

Good. I'm glad. I take back snarky remark. It was actually directed at his handlers, not David.

Thoughts? Clearly not the case in Skara's case but still interesting. When you look at the insane amount of transfers around college basketball and I can't help but shake my head because you can tell a lot of these kids may strongly regret it down the road. These players need to be mature enough to look at the grand scheme of things.

The transfer epidemic is directly related to the rise of social media

One of the biggest issues in college basketball right now is the amount of kids who are leaving schools on an annual basis and that's directly related to the rise of Twitter over the last 5-7 years.

Like everyone in this world, college athletes have an ego and part of the reason why they're so prone to make a change in where they're playing college basketball is due to the enjoyment they receive when their name is constantly posted across a social media platform.

Fighting through adversity and building calluses through life experience is something that's a thing of the past and that's reiterated by the way players change programs at the grassroots level prior to ever stepping foot on a college campus.

But there's also no doubt that the attention that comes with being a transfer at the Division I level augments the desire of a kid to make a change -- especially if he's going to be immediately eligible for next season.

The rules don't make much sense, but they are what they are.

And the fact that programs can add players without them having to sit out because they're a college graduate makes the players who fit that criteria part of a special fraternity that is starting to feel like a watered down version of NBA free agency.

Assistant coaches from all over the country put lists together all season of guys who can potentially be eligible for the next year without sitting out and those players -- who normally boast marginal statistics -- become a viral name on social media for a month to six weeks before they make a decision.

Part of it is because they can help a team.

Part of it is because they're part of a select circle who can actually play immediately without sitting out.

But most of it is due to the fact that they enjoy the attention that comes with being re-recruited after spending the last few seasons as an ancillary piece to the puzzle at a program that might have been off-the-radar in terms of the national landscape.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25574372/observations-cal-can-be-even-more-complete-dynamic-in-2016-17

While I wouldn't blame it on social media what I would say social media has done is create a dynamic where Players feel more power in the system.  there have been a lot of critical things said about the NCAA and the money it and some schools makes. We've seen players be stripped of titles and eligibility and coaches move on to another school and multi million dollar contract. I think social media created a place where players could start to feel more empowered and create a bit of a balance in that.

We may not always like it but when the NCAA and some schools treat the players as athletes first we shouldn't be offended when the players do so as well and work to flex their power where they can. As we saw with Syracuse, The big programs, with the big money, will always be able to do things other programs won't and if we're going to run it like a business I don't blame the players for treating it like one as well.

Notice whose missing? https://twitter.com/CoachLottich/status/725455478059356160

Skara, Bryce and coach Ivan.

Mike Hutton reporting that Skara has been given chance to appeal the restriction on transferring to Vandy. He'd like to talk to Bryce and Roger.  The non-athletic department 5 person appeal board needs to summarily reject that appeal.  Do not support this bad decision by David and his entourage of fools.

On the other hand, he does have to sit out a season. By that time, a lot of water will have gone over the dam and a lot of 4* recruits will have come through the door.  If he would go there, my guess is that he will be nothing more than a role player.  From a PR standpoint could it be better to remove that restriction?

Reject that appeal 100%.  There are plenty of teams he can transfer to, and if we are to believe what the unethical handlers are telling people, he 'has multiple Power 5 teams interested.'  I do not feel bad for him as much as I did at first, past the fact that he has been given terrible information.  I wasn't in a foreign country when I played at Valpo, but if I was, I would never get caught up in being pressured to leave a school I enjoy.  He can find another agent post-college, unless there is some type of promise that he gave to his handlers upon coming to the US, in which case he is caught up in something that is even more unethical than originally thought.

This is the lead tweet to a series of about 6 tweets about the appeals process and Mark's take on it.The NCAA provides for that appeals process.

[tweet]728063696681971712[/tweet]

I particularly like this comment.

[tweet]728072419995320322[/tweet]

Looks like Valpo will dig in their heels on this one.  As you said TX there are over 300 other D-I schools to choose from.

New Article in the Tribune.

David Skara to appeal Valparaiso decision to block him from Vanderbilt

By: Mike Hutton

Former Valparaiso University forward David Skara hopes he has the chance to at least talk with the Vanderbilt coaching staff about playing there.

On Wednesday, Skara said he will appeal the decision by a Valparaiso faculty committee not to grant him permission to transfer to Vanderbilt. Former VU coach Bryce Drew left to coach at Vanderbilt last month.

"I definitely want to talk to coach Drew and (assistant) coach (Roger) Powell to see if they are interested," Skara said. "I'd like to see if that is a possibility."

VU granted the 6-foot-8 sophomore forward his release on April 19, but restricted him from transferring to play basketball in the Horizon League and at Vanderbilt.

Valparaiso athletic director Mark LaBarbera said that Skara was blocked from Vanderbilt because VU doesn't want a mass exodus of players following the former Crusaders coaches. Powell, Drew's top assistant at VU, also is now at Vanderbilt.

"The reason Vanderbilt is on the list is because our basketball program is important to us," LaBarbera said. "It's an important part of our history. We have a lot invested in it. We are happy that our players have other opportunities. We feel like if a coach is successful, if he leaves, he shouldn't take players with him."

LaBarbera acknowledged that it's natural for Skara to want to play for the coach who recruited him, but noted that 340 other schools are options.

Skara, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds, asked LaBarbera on Monday to reconsider the decision.

The athletic department advised Skara on Tuesday that he could appeal the decision.

LaBarbera said a five-person panel that is independent of the athletic department will hear the case. He said this will be the first time the school will hear an appeal and plans to expedite it for Skara's sake.

"We want to be fair to him," LaBarbera said.

Skara said the last couple of weeks have been difficult.

"There has been pressure from around campus — coaches and everything," he said. "Most of the students support me. Some say, 'I don't like you anymore,' but not many."

Skara said the departure of Drew was the reason why he decided to transfer.

"The coaching change was a trigger for everything," Skara said. "With the new coach coming up, I think I could go somewhere else and challenge myself with better competition."

Other schools on Skara's list include Clemson, Georgia Tech, Texas Christian, Richmond and Colorado.

Skara said the decision to leave wasn't easy.

"It's always difficult to leave somewhere you've been for two years," he said, "but I'm confident this is right for me."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-david-skara-st-0505-20160504-story.html

Quote from: valpo84 on May 04, 2016, 10:06:22 PMentourage of fools

:lol:
I will need to recall this in the future!  ;)

I'm wondering if Bryce made an under the table deal with David Maravilla (Don Bosco) when he initially got recruited. Skara/Maravilla seem to be putting all their eggs in the Vanderbilt basket. Maybe Bryce is indebted to Maravilla or something, complete speculation on my part. It's just so shady.

The person who stinks in this process is Bryce Drew.  You expect AAU guys to be sleazy. They did not disappoint. A former coach, however, is a different matter.  Major loss of respect here. 

I like Skara's game but lets be honest he is not going to suddenly make Vandy a power. He was a good role player for us; hard to extrapolate that much higher than somewhere else.

Quote from: VU2014 on May 05, 2016, 09:47:32 AM
New Article in the Tribune.

David Skara to appeal Valparaiso decision to block him from Vanderbilt

By: Mike Hutton

Former Valparaiso University forward David Skara hopes he has the chance to at least talk with the Vanderbilt coaching staff about playing there.

On Wednesday, Skara said he will appeal the decision by a Valparaiso faculty committee not to grant him permission to transfer to Vanderbilt. Former VU coach Bryce Drew left to coach at Vanderbilt last month.

"I definitely want to talk to coach Drew and (assistant) coach (Roger) Powell to see if they are interested," Skara said. "I'd like to see if that is a possibility."

VU granted the 6-foot-8 sophomore forward his release on April 19, but restricted him from transferring to play basketball in the Horizon League and at Vanderbilt.

Valparaiso athletic director Mark LaBarbera said that Skara was blocked from Vanderbilt because VU doesn't want a mass exodus of players following the former Crusaders coaches. Powell, Drew's top assistant at VU, also is now at Vanderbilt.

"The reason Vanderbilt is on the list is because our basketball program is important to us," LaBarbera said. "It's an important part of our history. We have a lot invested in it. We are happy that our players have other opportunities. We feel like if a coach is successful, if he leaves, he shouldn't take players with him."

LaBarbera acknowledged that it's natural for Skara to want to play for the coach who recruited him, but noted that 340 other schools are options.

Skara, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds, asked LaBarbera on Monday to reconsider the decision.

The athletic department advised Skara on Tuesday that he could appeal the decision.

LaBarbera said a five-person panel that is independent of the athletic department will hear the case. He said this will be the first time the school will hear an appeal and plans to expedite it for Skara's sake.

"We want to be fair to him," LaBarbera said.

Skara said the last couple of weeks have been difficult.

"There has been pressure from around campus — coaches and everything," he said. "Most of the students support me. Some say, 'I don't like you anymore,' but not many."

Skara said the departure of Drew was the reason why he decided to transfer.

"The coaching change was a trigger for everything," Skara said. "With the new coach coming up, I think I could go somewhere else and challenge myself with better competition."

Other schools on Skara's list include Clemson, Georgia Tech, Texas Christian, Richmond and Colorado.

Skara said the decision to leave wasn't easy.

"It's always difficult to leave somewhere you've been for two years," he said, "but I'm confident this is right for me."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-david-skara-st-0505-20160504-story.html

I understand David's desire to transfer to Vanderbilt.  I hope that the process is fair.  I agree with ml, that our athletic department needs to protect the men's BB program.  I'm not even sure that Vanderbilt would want him.  According to Verbal Commits, Vandy's average player is 3.2*.  At the PF and SF positions, even with Damian Jones going pro, I think Vandy has some quality players, so I'm not sure he would get much playing time in two years.  Vandy's needs appear to be PG and C. 

I wish him well, just hope it is not at Vanderbilt.

covufan, that's a major point which I also mentioned.  Bryce is now competing for 3+* and 4* (maybe some 5*) players at all positions and he'll welcome a Vandy class of his own next season while David rides the pine waiting to become eligible.  If he wins the appeal, and if BD offers him, he might wind up in two years seeing mop-up minutes.  If BD was going to offer a transfer, I'd assume it would be Alec because he's an immediate addition and as a grad transfer, VU will not stand in his way.

Another Hutton article with nary a mention of Maravilla and his role. You can't discuss this situation without discussing all the factors involved.

It does appear that Hutton is Maravilla's mouthpiece.  I find that odd in that Mike Osipoff is the Trib ValpoBB beat writer and he has remained relatively quiet on the matter.  Hutton never covers our games  nor does he have a insider relationship with the athletic department or coaches to my knowledge.

I find it hilarious that, Mike Hutton's article has being petitioned to "talk" to Bryce. I'm calling BS that Maravilla hasn't already been in contact with Bryce/Roger through back channels. I think Skara is good enough to be a bench role player at Vandy. But I think if I'm Bryce I'd rather try and sign and develop a young player on my roster rather then give Skara a scholarship and who also has to sit out a season.

As for David, saying, "There has been pressure from around campus — coaches and everything," he said. "Most of the students support me. Some say, 'I don't like you anymore,' but not many." I'm a recent grad and have plenty of friends still on campus and I've talked to a few friends who are in class with David and they said it was awkward the first couple days after the transfer news and the whole mess with Maravilla but NO student on campus would ever say, "I don't like you anymore." Thats Maravilla telling Skara how to spin the media narrative. They said there hasn't been any tension as far as they can tell with any students on Campus. Valpo is a very different student body then most schools. I'm sure its a little awkward for Skara though, because he has pretty much cut off friendships and father/mentor like relationships completely with Lottich and Gore. Apparently Maravilla told him he can't talk to coach and hasn't talked to them at all and avoids the ARC.

I get why he is putting his faith/post collegiate career in Maravilla's hands, but its never good to burn bridges down to the ground the way he has.

Quote from: IndyValpo on May 05, 2016, 10:16:43 AMThe person who stinks in this process is Bryce Drew.

I suppose he does have a chance here to come out publicly, and be beyond any appearance of impropriety.  Bryce could just say, "We're not going to recruit Skara (or any VU non-grads), we're not going to offer him a scholarship." But, stating that publicly (maybe they could reach out to Skara privately, but not officially I guess...) doesn't seem very Bryce-like. And, if he _does_ get the chance to consider Vanderbilt, if his appeal succeeds, it would seem possibly consistent with Bryce's competitive nature to at least consider him (why let him go to a competitor?).

Quote from: VU2014 on May 05, 2016, 11:26:18 AMAs for David, saying, "There has been pressure from around campus — coaches and everything," he said. "Most of the students support me. Some say, 'I don't like you anymore,' but not many." I'm a recent grad and have plenty of friends still on campus and I've talked to a few friends who are in class with David and they said it was awkward the first couple days after the transfer news and the whole mess with Maravilla but NO student on campus would ever say, "I don't like you anymore."

I figured it was a paraphrase. At least David paraphrasing the students, and maybe filtering through Croatian. And maybe the writer paraphrasing David.

That David may feel like some students have distanced themselves from him. It's got to be awkward, at least.

Not to pick on a guy who may just not be a big smiler in the first place (am I anyway? you tell me). But, his expression in this photo is pretty amusing. He looks delighted, post-VU!

[tweet]728002070628929536[/tweet]

Seems on twitter that all the Vandy fans are pushing/hoping for Skara to overturn the appeal.

Quote from: agibson on May 05, 2016, 11:40:18 AM
I suppose he [BD] does have a chance here to come out publicly, and be beyond any appearance of impropriety.  ............. [come out publicly] doesn't seem very Bryce-like.

He has always been pretty close-lipped about everything.  We're not going to see a Bryce 2.0 who is suddenly open and communicative.

He will do whatever he has to do to get an edge for his program (e.g., rescind a scholarship to Daniel Relvao when Vashil became available for this past season).

I've been rereading this:

http://www.nwitimes.com/blogs/sports/inside-vu-sports/the-servant-of-two-masters/article_9b8322d0-07ef-11e6-a241-f74cbb5d6508.html

"Several high majors have already offered him," Maravilla said. "David came to Valparaiso because of Bryce Drew. Now David is an experienced guy. He's not naïve. He recognizes where he's at and where he can go. The fact that high majors have reached out to him, that validates what he did. He can go two levels higher than the Horizon League."

From today's Hutton article:

"Other schools on Skara's list include Clemson, Georgia Tech, Texas Christian, Richmond and Colorado."

So far, I've only seen in print a scheduled trip to Richmond.  If these other schools have offered, I'd say he is in good shape and doesn't need to talk to Vanderbilt.  Again, if I were him, I'd look at the Vanderbilt roster, who they have coming in at the PF/SF positions, and conclude there may not be room for me in the future. 

To get anywhere near the playing time as he would have expected next year at Valpo, he will need to transfer to a league similar to the HL.

This has all been very strange. 

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

This is a serious question from a 59 year old lawyer who is too busy to follow all of this stuff, but what is Don Bosco Prep anyway?  Is it a high school?  Or what?  I read about it on this board and I really don't know what the heck it is.

Paul

I totally support ml's stand and the reasons he gave for it. 

I am concerned, however, that a group of non-athletic faculty members may have a more myopic view - "What's the big deal?"  "Would it really hurt Valpo if he transfers to Vandy - he's gone either way."  "Why should we make the poor kid pay for bad advice he got from some adult knucklehead"?  "Shouldn't the interests of our students come before our own organizational self interest?"  Blah, blah, blah...

Quote from: wh on May 05, 2016, 01:46:12 PMI am concerned, however, that a group of non-athletic faculty members may have a more myopic view

I'm at least a little curious who they'll tap. I wonder if it just goes to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, which does seem to have five faculty members (though I don't immediately see a list... I know one name.). Maybe that's the most likely?

Or, maybe that would be seen as too close to athletics, and they'll look for some relative outsiders.

Quote from: 78crusader on May 05, 2016, 01:31:52 PM
This is a serious question from a 59 year old lawyer who is too busy to follow all of this stuff, but what is Don Bosco Prep anyway?  Is it a high school?  Or what?  I read about it on this board and I really don't know what the heck it is.

Paul

It is some sort of a prep school in Lake County. Dave Maravilla, who has always had his hands on the international basketball scene, is one of the founders. I'm not sure where it is, what kind of teachers are there ... nothing. He brings in international kids for their senior year of high school or maybe an extra year of high school, with the promise they will be recruited to play in college. I don't know who they play, what kind of competition, anything. Rumor is Conner TenHove, a very good Valpo High School player who will graduate in June, will be going there next year. I do know that the international kids then live with a host family. Some good friends of mine hosted David his first semester playing at Don Bosco (or whatever it was called then).

In al my years following college hoops, I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever seen a kid appeal the fact he couldn't go to a certain school. Valpo's name and MBB are brands so while kids lives are at stake so is the schools brand recognition. While apples and oranges it is like a key employee of a firm that handles key clients for that firm, if he / she leaves they typically sign a non compete when they come and board, which means that they must have no contact with their former clients for a period usually lasting 2 years. This protects the for,ready company's assets, which are those clients.

Most if not all conferences have a non transfer within the conference rule (4 year grads withstanding). So any kid leaving Wisconsin cannot go to another Big 10 school. Along with that, most schools that lose coaches enact a caveat respective to the former coach'so new school, especially if that coach left in his own accord. This protects the school's asset, it's MBB Program from being raided by the former coach or coaches. So in Skara's situation, he cannot go to like 10 schools out of 345 D1 BBall schools out there. The HL and Vandy. How is that so egregious on Valpo's part. They're protecting themselves. Bryce left, was free to bring anyone from his Valpo staff bu the school is putting its foot down with respect to its players. Shred move and the move every other school in Valpo's shoes would make. ML did right by his employer. Maravilla knows that is how the gsme is played because he plays far worse and scummier games than what he is upset about. This situation is so sad and then you have an idiot reporter with an axe to grind against a good school with a good rep reporting it from one side. Hutton is not a journalist in the least. A shame to credible writers out there.

For David's sake, I hope he gets to a place where he belongs and prospers. I don't blame him in the ,east and wish him the best.

Quote from: VU2014 on May 05, 2016, 09:58:27 AMI'm wondering if Bryce made an under the table deal with David Maravilla (Don Bosco) when he initially got recruited. Skara/Maravilla seem to be putting all their eggs in the Vanderbilt basket. Maybe Bryce is indebted to Maravilla or something, complete speculation on my part. It's just so shady.

I guess we never asked how the sausage got made when the Drews were here.

Quote from: agibson on May 05, 2016, 02:35:15 PM

Quote from: wh on May 05, 2016, 01:46:12 PMI am concerned, however, that a group of non-athletic faculty members may have a more myopic view

I'm at least a little curious who they'll tap. I wonder if it just goes to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, which does seem to have five faculty members (though I don't immediately see a list... I know one name.). Maybe that's the most likely?

Or, maybe that would be seen as too close to athletics, and they'll look for some relative outsiders.

I have served as a member of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics in the past, and I will be following this situation with special interest.

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on May 05, 2016, 10:56:55 AM
Another Hutton article with nary a mention of Maravilla and his role. You can't discuss this situation without discussing all the factors involved.

You are confusing Hutton with actual journalists. His under researched articles are his trademark. He is a hack and apparently working for Bryce on the side.

So is it too late for Skara to change his mind?   :'(

Quote from: IndyValpo on May 05, 2016, 07:45:53 PM

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on May 05, 2016, 10:56:55 AM
Another Hutton article with nary a mention of Maravilla and his role. You can't discuss this situation without discussing all the factors involved.

You are confusing Hutton with actual journalists. His under researched articles are his trademark. He is a hack and apparently working for Bryce on the side.

Here's another thought. I'm not that familiar with Hutton. I wonder if his usual "thing" is covering local high school sports, through which he has developed some sort of working relationship with the Bosco knucklehead?  I just don't get why he would stick his nose into Valparaiso University's business. He does not have the standing to write an opinion piece favoring either side over the other.

I know that I sound really negative about someone who is probably a good kid, but he needs to grow a pair.  He played 1 year for the scum bag?  Why would you feel like you owe that person, unless there was some type of shady dealing going on to get him to the US?  The more that comes out and the longer this plays out, the less respect I end up with for Skara.  I almost transferred back home after my first year, because I missed home.  I grew up and realized that it was good for me to be away, so I stayed.  People will respond to me that he is in another country.  Well, that's pretty much what it felt like to me ;)

Quote from: wh on May 05, 2016, 01:46:12 PM
I totally support ml's stand and the reasons he gave for it. 

I am concerned, however, that a group of non-athletic faculty members may have a more myopic view - "What's the big deal?"  "Would it really hurt Valpo if he transfers to Vandy - he's gone either way."  "Why should we make the poor kid pay for bad advice he got from some adult knucklehead"?  "Shouldn't the interests of our students come before our own organizational self interest?"  Blah, blah, blah...

Does anyone here know the members of this non-athletic dept panel that will make the decision on Skara?

Quote from: valpotx on May 05, 2016, 09:09:02 PM
I know that I sound really negative about someone who is probably a good kid, but he needs to grow a pair.  He played 1 year for the scum bag?  Why would you feel like you owe that person, unless there was some type of shady dealing going on to get him to the US?  The more that comes out and the longer this plays out, the less respect I end up with for Skara.  I almost transferred back home after my first year, because I missed home.  I grew up and realized that it was good for me to be away, so I stayed. People will respond to me that he is in another country.  Well, that's pretty much what it felt like to me ;)

[/b]

LOL.  I've wondered that for years and now living in DFW it becomes even more difficult to understand how kids from Texas, California, Florida, Arizona etc, first, want to come to Valparainsnow, Windyana.  I loved it but I grew up in Northern Ohio.  It really does speak volumes about the Valpo experience.  Sure the weather sucks, but on balance, Valpo has an extremely high retention rate from kids from every state in the union.  :clap: :clap:

The precedence it sets if Skara is allowed to go or inquire with Valpo South (Vandy) than so can Peters. 

Skara is good, but not SEC good.  The horizon league or A10 is his level.  The Ron Bosco prick is ruining this kid.  My bet, he won't finish the 3 next years in college basketball.

Quote from: IndyValpo on May 05, 2016, 10:16:43 AM
The person who stinks in this process is Bryce Drew.  You expect AAU guys to be sleazy. They did not disappoint. A former coach, however, is a different matter.  Major loss of respect here.   

Where does this come from???  Your acting like this whole ordeal was instigated by Bryce of which I see no evidence only highly suspect speculation.

Simply speaking, of course Skara wants to talk to Bryce and Bryce would probably welcome a conversation with Skara, but to build some conspiracy with Bryce being the sleaze bag is far fetched.

Honestly, at this point just let him go and be done with it.

Unless some unusual procedure has been instituted in this situation, the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics is charged with serving as an appeals board concerning student-athletes on matters of athletics policy. My memory of the committee has been that it consists of two members from Athletics, including the AD, five faculty members, and three students. An administrator from the university also serves as a non-voting member. Published information by Hutton (taken from comments by MLB) details "a five-person panel independent of the Athletics Department will hear the case." This can be interpreted two ways: (1) the five CIA faculty members will meet as a sub-committee and make a decision or (2) an unprecedented separate five-faculty committee will be created. For a few reasons, I hope the first option has been chosen.

Bryce isn't by any means sleazy. I just find it hilarious that the notion that Skara/Maravilla wants this overturned to "talk" to Bryce. Maravilla is an professional player agent and pretty much uses Don Bosco as a funnel piece to grow and set up his client list. I'm willing to bet Maravilla has talked to either Bryce or Roger since their departure. Bryce will do whatever it takes to win within the college athletics "ethical standards". Collegiate athletics ethical standards is somewhat in a gray area. Bryce is a classy guy and one of the good ones in the world college basketball coaches but I have a hunch a conversation was had behind closed doors. I don't necessarily judge him if it happened. This all speculation, and its not a swipe at Bryce's character. Still respect him and appreciate everything he's done for the University. I'm just curious as to why Maravilla is pushing so hard for Vandy. It's suspicious, but this whole situation is strange.

Chair back, Peters situation is highly different than Skara's, as if Alec completes his undergrad studies by the end of summer, he can go wherever he wants, Valpo cannot control it. Skara on the other hand presents a dangerous precedent if we allow him to leave without any penalty or ramifications. We currently control where he can go to. When has a coach left, taken his top recruiter and one of his top 5 players? When in the history of intercollegiate athletics has that trifecta happened? Maybe I missed one or two but it ain't likely. ML shouldn't let happen on his watch.

As far as Drew is concerned, he took a WAAAAAY better paying job, has great returning talent, better facilities and support according to him, what in blue blazes does he need Skara for? Yes, David can fill a role, a role. If Bryce were any kind of a mentor he would say, I'd love to have you but you're better suited for the school I left. I really don't have a need for your skill set. Now, if he  (allowed being the key word) takes him, Skara plays like 8 minutes a game and is done after 2 years. My perception of Drew will be changed as a difference maker as opposed to what can I do to get mine.

Quote from: FWalum on May 05, 2016, 10:10:46 PM

Quote from: IndyValpo on May 05, 2016, 10:16:43 AM
The person who stinks in this process is Bryce Drew.  You expect AAU guys to be sleazy. They did not disappoint. A former coach, however, is a different matter.  Major loss of respect here.   

Where does this come from???  Your acting like this whole ordeal was instigated by Bryce of which I see no evidence only highly suspect speculation.

Simply speaking, of course Skara wants to talk to Bryce and Bryce would probably welcome a conversation with Skara, but to build some conspiracy with Bryce being the sleaze bag is far fetched.

It is pretty simple when he was contacted, and let's be honest, that has already happened he could/should have said no. The fact that Skara is still talking about Vandy tells me that did not happen. BTW I did not call him sleazy.

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Here's Paul's Times article on the topic.  He revisits the whole scenario and brings it up to date.

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/skara-s-transfer-appeal-to-be-heard/article_751264f2-d18c-5dc0-a952-c987f3907753.html

There has already been 1 D1 player who has returned to his original school after asking for the right to transfer.  Skara needs to decide what he wants, not for his advisors, not for some former coach or based on what he thinks "people" want him to do.  If he likes where he is/was, then say so.  And if he wants an "independent" voice to help him sort through the conflicting messages and priorities, he can call me.  But, the appeals board should deny his petition.  The School has the right to restrict his transfer PERIOD.  As said, there's over 300 other schools available.  Wake Forest could use his talents as well as lots of A10, Summit and MAC schools. If he wants to play for a Drew, Baylor's available too.  Shoot, I'll call some coaches I know.  Maravilla must not be very good if he can't find a landing spot.  Unfortunately, I suspect that Maravilla is using Skara as a pawn and looking for a package deal and good luck with that.

Boston College was winless in the ACC last season.  They could use David as well.  Surprised they (David and his entourage) haven't mentioned contacting them.  Nice Catholic (with a capital c) university in a great city.

Is there still a possibility that Skara would return to VU?  And if so, would Matt welcome him "home"?

64, my guess would be yes, he would take him back. I'm sure there are many not really faulting David but the sleazoids advising him. If we didn't, we could be shone in a not so positive light as well.

Plus he adds value!

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on May 06, 2016, 10:16:46 AMhttp://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/skara-s-transfer-appeal-to-be-heard/article_751264f2-d18c-5dc0-a952-c987f3907753.html

Yeah, I bet the door's still open. It'd be awkward, of course. But, I bet the door's still open. That may change depending on our recruiting situation, of course.

Quote from: valpo84 on May 06, 2016, 09:33:00 AMhe can call me

When I was first reading this, all I got was this thought:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-gYOrU8bA

Oh covufan, you have inspired me with my 5 minute rewrite:

A player walks down a court
It's a court in a strange world
Maybe it's the Strange D1
Maybe it's his first time around
He doesn't speak the language
He cannot pick and roll
He is a foreign player
He is surrounded by the sound
The sound
BatCow in the Student Section
MidMajors and Jucos
He looks around, around
He sees dollar signs in the backboards
Spinning in infinity
He says Amen! and Hallelujah!

If you'll be my shooting guard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you David
And David when you call me
You can call me Coach Vitale
Call me Coach Vitale

Quote from: agibson on May 06, 2016, 10:46:15 AM

Quote from: ValpoDad89 on May 06, 2016, 10:16:46 AMhttp://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/skara-s-transfer-appeal-to-be-heard/article_751264f2-d18c-5dc0-a952-c987f3907753.html

Yeah, I bet the door's still open. It'd be awkward, of course. But, I bet the door's still open. That may change depending on our recruiting situation, of course.

If someone leaves on good terms for an opportunity to play for a higher profile program and subsequently changes their mind, allowing him to return might be appropriate thing to do. Unfortunately, that's not what we're dealing with here. The reality is David quit on his teammates, his coaches, his program and his university, and allowed himself to be used as extortion bait for a power play that failed miserably. I think it would be a huge risk bringing him back (if he's even interested). It's time for David to move on.

This is so sad. Skara could have been a major contributor to a team with a good chance at a conference championship, a conference tournament championship and a realistic shot at winning a game or two in the dance all assuming Peters and Carter play for Valpo next season. Now he has to sit out a year somewhere and maybe just be a role player at best and at worst a practice/mop up player at a power 5 school. All over a power play by a prep school program that wanted to jam one of their guys down the new coach's throat.

Oh, and I will lose a lot of respect for my alma mater if they cave and allow him to go to Vandy. You have a responsibility to protect your program, Valpo. Skara has more than 300 schools he could go to, not to mention the power 5 conference teams that have allegedly offered him according to his - what do we call him - Mentor? Agent? Controller? Svengali?

Quote from: covufan on May 06, 2016, 11:01:16 AM

Quote from: valpo84 on May 06, 2016, 09:33:00 AMhe can call me

When I was first reading this, all I got was this thought:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-gYOrU8bA

One question. Betty=Skara?

Nkvu, I'm liking Svengali. I really am.

I've been sitting back and waiting to weigh in on the Skara issue.  I just have to remind us all about the challenges that David is facing if he bucks his "handlers".  There are cultural and social implications at stake for him that are far beyond basketball at the collegiate level or professionally in Europe.  He will be virtually be a pariah in the social network of Croations here in the US and possibly in his own country if he backs down and comes back to Valpo without the "consent" of his "agents".  All in all a bad situation and one that we haven't had to face at Valpo but other programs have. 

That's the problem. The poor kid is caught in a crossfire that no kid should be caught in.  I don't think there is a single person on this board that wishes David ill will.  I loved the way that he played for VU and I think he was a good student and citizen.  The coaches liked him and wanted him to continue his progression.  But then politics came into play and David went from player to pawn.  And now, as you state, he can't back down, nor can VU.  Sad state of affairs.  Wherever he winds up, I truly wish the kid well. 

I also thinking being a Croatian in America is *fundamentally* different than being a Texan in Northwest Indiana (looking at you valpotx).  In fact it is exponentially more challenging.

BTW, where has Skara transferred to?

Quote from: StlVUFan on May 09, 2016, 07:46:51 PM
I also thinking being a Croatian in America is *fundamentally* different than being a Texan in Northwest Indiana (looking at you valpotx).  In fact it is exponentially more challenging.

Pretty sure he was joking and at that, it was pretty funny!

Quote from: vu72 on May 10, 2016, 09:14:37 AM

Quote from: StlVUFan on May 09, 2016, 07:46:51 PM
I also thinking being a Croatian in America is *fundamentally* different than being a Texan in Northwest Indiana (looking at you valpotx).  In fact it is exponentially more challenging.

Pretty sure he was joking and at that, it was pretty funny!

Yes, I was being smarmy about it being the exact same thing.  Stl must have been looking at one of the many Greg Kampe posters on his bedroom ceiling, and thus, was not focused enough to catch the sarcasm ;).

Quote from: usc4valpo on May 09, 2016, 11:42:55 PM
BTW, where has Skara transferred to?

I think we are still waiting for the results of the transfer hearing.  Quote from a previous article:


"Several high majors have already offered him," Maravilla said. "David came to Valparaiso because of Bryce Drew. Now David is an experienced guy. He's not naïve. He recognizes where he's at and where he can go. The fact that high majors have reached out to him, that validates what he did. He can go two levels higher than the Horizon League."

Another quote:

"Other schools on Skara's list include Clemson, Georgia Tech, Texas Christian, Richmond and Colorado."

I've only seen a visit to Richmond, but it is only May. 

Quote from: covufan on May 10, 2016, 10:10:34 AM

Quote from: usc4valpo on May 09, 2016, 11:42:55 PM
BTW, where has Skara transferred to?

I think we are still waiting for the results of the transfer hearing.  Quote from a previous article:


"Several high majors have already offered him," Maravilla said. "David came to Valparaiso because of Bryce Drew. Now David is an experienced guy. He's not naïve. He recognizes where he's at and where he can go. The fact that high majors have reached out to him, that validates what he did. He can go two levels higher than the Horizon League."

Another quote:

"Other schools on Skara's list include Clemson, Georgia Tech, Texas Christian, Richmond and Colorado."

I've only seen a visit to Richmond, but it is only May. 

This is pretty funny actually.  There is no doubt Skara could get playing time at all of these schools.  As for being two level higher? Sure, the best/better teams in these conferences may be two levels better, but these schools aren't among those.

When you look at the season ending Sagarin rankings, Skara practiced with/played on a team ranked higher than all of them.  Four teams, in an off year Horizon League, were ranked higher then TCU!  If getting clobbered by Kansas and Oklahoma and Baylor are going to make you better, then TCU would be a great fit for David.

Quote from: valpotx on May 10, 2016, 10:05:11 AM

Quote from: vu72 on May 10, 2016, 09:14:37 AM

Quote from: StlVUFan on May 09, 2016, 07:46:51 PM
I also thinking being a Croatian in America is *fundamentally* different than being a Texan in Northwest Indiana (looking at you valpotx).  In fact it is exponentially more challenging.

Pretty sure he was joking and at that, it was pretty funny!

Yes, I was being smarmy about it being the exact same thing.  Stl must have been looking at one of the many Greg Kampe posters on his bedroom ceiling, and thus, was not focused enough to catch the sarcasm ;).

(http://new4.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/Gt+nah+_3973c89b972c2bf387065fc702643270.gif)

[tweet]730118587235577856[/tweet]
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[tweet]730117902108610560[/tweet]

Quote from: VULB#62 on May 10, 2016, 03:31:01 PM
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IMHO, the best thing that could happen is for Skara to be granted the opportunity to talk to Vanderbilt.  Skara is then counseled by Bryce and Roger, in as nice a way as possible, and suggest to David that while he is a great talent, that Vandy does not have room at the PF/SF positions.  Further, they suggest that he does not need any handling, except those that have coached and had his best interests the last two years, and that his best opportunity is to return to Valpo, get some increased playing time and his degree. 

I will BET THE FARM that President Heckler allows Skara to go to Vandy.

Paul

I think President Heckler was consulted on the initial decision.  To reverse that decision would throw  both Matt and ML under the bus.

I have to assume that someone at Vandy has already reached out to David's handlers if they are pushing it so hard.

With the drama that is now associated with Skara, I wonder if schools stay away knowing the baggage that comes with him.

As much of a fan of Bryce and his family I am, I will be extremely disappointed if DS lands at Vandy. 

Quote from: valpospartan on May 10, 2016, 10:32:39 PM
As much of a fan of Bryce and his family I am, I will be extremely disappointed if DS lands at Vandy. 

My respect and appreciation for Bryce as a player and coach at Valpo is total. However if DS lands at Vandy much of my future respect for Bryce will dissipate. He will have become just another big time coach who values winning over everything including benefiting from a sleazy attempted power play perpetrated against his alma mater and former employer. I truely hope that doesn't come to pass. I truely believe and hope he shows more class than that. And DS ends up the loser in my mind no matter where he lands. Sad.

I wouldn't be outraged if Bryce took Skara if the Heckler reversed ML's decision. Bryce is getting paid $2.7M to WIN. If Bryce didn't make a back-door deal with Maravilla or speak to Maravilla before the appeal got resolved (I'm willing to bet Maravilla has already talked to Bryce or Rodger, behind closed doors). Bryce doesn't work here anymore. If he thinks Skara can help him win and make an impact on his team then whatever. It would definitely irk me to lose a player to our old coach but I wouldn't lose respect for Bryce. We all need to get over Bryce. It's over. Let it go. On a side note I think Heckler will allow to talk to Bryce. He concerned more with the PR optics and the Students feelings then the state of the basketball program. I don't understand the point of the appeals committee if the decision comes down to Hecklers approval.

Quote from: VU2014 on May 11, 2016, 11:46:28 AMI don't understand the point of the appeals committee if the decision comes down to Hecklers approval.

Heckler's involvement did surprise me, as well. Probably partially just for not being mentioned in the original reports.

Quote from: VU2014 on May 11, 2016, 11:46:28 AM
I wouldn't be outraged if Bryce took Skara if the Heckler reversed ML's decision. Bryce is getting paid $2.7M to WIN. If Bryce didn't make a back-door deal with Maravilla or speak to Maravilla before the appeal got resolved (I'm willing to bet Maravilla has already talked to Bryce or Rodger, behind closed doors). Bryce doesn't work here anymore. If he thinks Skara can help him win and make an impact on his team then whatever. It would definitely irk me to lose a player to our old coach but I wouldn't lose respect for Bryce. We all need to get over Bryce. It's over. Let it go. On a side note I think Heckler will allow to talk to Bryce. He concerned more with the PR optics and the Students feelings then the state of the basketball program. I don't understand the point of the appeals committee if the decision comes down to Hecklers approval.

Excuse me, but what?  He didn't make a back door deal but already talked to Maravilla (this is the definition of backdoor). As I have said several times, taking a player from your former job is as low as you can go.

My guess, the appeal is approved and he signs with Vandy within 3 days. But as my friend bbtds says I hope I am wrong.

There are much lower things that you could do as a coach. Cough cough: Louisville, North Carolina, Syracuse, Penn State, USC, SMU, UNLV, any John Calipari team. This is definitely a unique situation with Skara I will admit.

Quote from: VU2014 on May 11, 2016, 12:56:04 PM
There are much lower things that you could do as a coach. Cough cough: Louisville, North Carolina, Syracuse, Penn State, USC, SMU, UNLV, any John Calipari team. This is definitely a unique situation with Skara I will admit.

Point taken!!

A good CEO has to have the backs of his senior leaders when they make important decisions on behalf of the organization. I think mh would have to believe that ml made an egregious error before he overturned the decision to exclude Vandy. I think it's highly unlikely that mh will consider this egregious, nor should he.

Quote from: wh on May 11, 2016, 02:05:11 PM
A good CEO has to have the backs of his senior leaders when they make important decisions on behalf of the organization. I think mh would have to believe that ml made an egregious error before he overturned the decision to exclude Vandy. I think it's highly unlikely that mh will consider this egregious, nor should he.

The tougher spot would be if the faculty panel granted the appeal/overturned ml. Then mh could be seen as breaking the tie. Might effectively have to rule on the merits.

Quote from: valpotx on May 05, 2016, 09:09:02 PMPeople will respond to me that he is in another country.  Well, that's pretty much what it felt like to me ;)

Sarcasm usually contains at least a hint of sincerity behind it, and it's that hint of sincerity that I was responding to.  Your whole post sounded like you were trying to make a serious point.  If you mixed in a bit of fake outrage at the end, then yeah, I missed it. :crazy:

I *did* see the wink smiley, but that didn't cause me to flip the whole script on what you were trying to say.  I took it as "I'm exaggerating a little here at the end, but otherwise, you get the idea."

Oh, I think that he needs to grow a pair, that part was serious.  However, that last part was definitely being sarcastic, which is why I put a winky face.

Skara Clemson visit
http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article76988812.html

Quote from: Just Sayin on May 11, 2016, 09:49:19 PM
Skara Clemson visit
http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article76988812.html

They don't say it explicitly, but they way they write they leave the reader to assume that some kind of window closes May 16.

*shrug* We've certainly signed players later than that, but I have little idea of the various sets of rules that might be involved.

Quote from: 78crusader on May 10, 2016, 06:14:04 PM
I will BET THE FARM that President Heckler allows Skara to go to Vandy.

Paul

You didn't really like that farm did you?   ;)   Paul Oren reporting Skara's appeal has been denied.

Paul Oren ‏@NWIOren  9h9 hours ago
Multiple sources confirm that David Skara has lost his appeal to have Vanderbilt transfer restriction dropped. #HLMBB

Glad to hear it.  Don't cave to a situation that was not our doing, but rather his handlers. 

This is what I was hoping would be done. Nothing against David but precedent has been set w/ others and that is Coach's new school and Conference members are off-limits. Sounds like he has some good opportunities out there.

If you include USC on the list, then add Notre Dame, Florida St., Alabama, Duke, and pretty much all major Division I schools.

USC got screwed over by the NCAA but did not adequately fight.

Quote from: usc4valpo on May 19, 2016, 12:11:56 PM
If you include USC on the list, then add Notre Dame, Florida St., Alabama, Duke, and pretty much all major Division I schools.

USC got screwed over by the NCAA but did not adequately fight.

I apologize if I missed something but what list, that you are now adding USC, ND, FSU, AL, Duke and pretty much all major Div 1 schools to, are you referring to?

Let's just say there are skeletons in every closet at every school. 

Hutton: Valparaiso shouldn't block transfers from men's basketball program

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0522-20160521-story.html

:crazy:

It's a completely different set of circumstances if you fire a coach, versus the coach leaving you.  This guy has no clue...

If Bryce was truly 'steamed' about how this was handled, it just lends further credence that he has been talking to Skara's handlers, to try and get him to appeal the decision.  I don't know why he would have the right to be steamed, if he left us, and not the other way around.  Are we supposed to just completely start over, and let our best players help him win elsewhere?  If he thinks this way, I will cherish the time we had with Bryce, but will get over him much faster than I thought that I would.

This guy....you have to put some boots on if you're going to tread through one of his opinion pieces.

If Drew thought that he was going to go to Vandy and bring player(s) from Valpo with him he should have re thought things a second or two.

I can't believe he's that stupid.

Mike Hutton isn't going to bite the hand that feeds him (Dave Maravilla). Hutton knows that the 99% of his readership won't care to know or be interested to find out the whole story by themselves so he knows he can get away with writing a hit piece. He knows damn well the whole story of Vucic and Maravilla trying to force his way onto the coaching staff. That's a pretty important part of the story that he refuses to write about. Also I find it hilarious that Hutton uses John Calipari as an example of "Class" in his argument. Everywhere he has left the team has come under NCAA recruiting violations. He is pretty much a used car salesman who pays the one-and-dones for a year and is the bridge to the NBA. Calipari isn't someone I would hold up as the model coach for colligate athletics.

Also the comment about Bryce being "steamed" about the whole situation leads me to believe that I was right in my speculation that Bryce/Rodger have been in contact with Maravilla the whole time. Not that surprising. Also I don't understand why Bryce has the right to be mad in this situation. Must have been an awkward visit back "home" for him for graduation. Curious as to if he ran into ML? And what may have been said. Would love to be a fly on the wall. Bryce couldn't be mad at Lottich or Gore. From what I've heard the Skara non-Vandy transfer decision was completely ML's, as it should be because he is the head man of the athletics department and any decision would have set precedents for all athletics.

Wow. What a joke. Coming from sleazy program that hides itself behind a religious school to funnel players in and out like livestock to groom Maravilla's client list if they end up growing pro. Don Bosco Prep Hoops and Dave Maravilla (along with many of these of prep "academic" institutions) should be under investigation by the NCAA for their business practices.

https://twitter.com/DonBoscoHoops/status/734193517623316481

Another poorly written, 1-sided account. Talks to Maravila the clownmaster, but makes no mention of having tried to contact ml or mh for their side of the story.  He notes that 2 sources told him that Bryce was steamed. Could it be that his "sources" are Maravilla and Vuich?  And, that's assuming he actually has "sources."

I guess Hutton writes opinion pieces. But, it does seem pretty one-sided. Not one of his examples really seems parallel to the Bryce/Skara case.

Quote from: Just Sayin on May 21, 2016, 08:09:06 PM
Hutton: Valparaiso shouldn't block transfers from men's basketball program

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0522-20160521-story.html

:crazy:

You just have to laugh at this "journalist". Even giving him a pass on the Jeter angle (fired is a different story) and the Kentucky story (where the guy was not going to contribute) the Siena story is not even correct. The coach in question is an assistant at Fairfield. So the closet thing he had to compare is not correct. It took me 2 minutes to research this. How does this moron have a job?

If Drew looks bad, it is on him. He could have easily stopped this.

the guy works for the Post-Tribune. In all reality, how many people will read his work and take it seriously?

Quote from: IndyValpo on May 22, 2016, 07:18:42 AM

Quote from: Just Sayin on May 21, 2016, 08:09:06 PM
Hutton: Valparaiso shouldn't block transfers from men's basketball program

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0522-20160521-story.html

:crazy:

You just have to laugh at this "journalist". Even giving him a pass on the Jeter angle (fired is a different story) and the Kentucky story (where the guy was not going to contribute) the Siena story is not even correct. The coach in question is an assistant at Fairfield. So the closet thing he had to compare is not correct. It took me 2 minutes to research this. How does this moron have a job?

If Drew looks bad, it is on him. He could have easily stopped this.

But it is unlike Bryce to say much on anything. His quick departure without much of a statement about Valpo to the Valpo faithful and the aftermath just leaves so much in terms of the unknown.

DBP is a f****** joke

Here are some DM's a friend got from the DBP Twitter account after bashing the Hutton story on Twitter....enjoy:

There wouldn't have been a Sweet 16 or countless NCAA births had Maravilla not recommended Valpo 20 years ago to all those Euros and Puerto Ricans . Including Ivan Vujic Who benefited ?! Valpo!
Take off your blinders and stop drinking the cool aid. Skara came to play for Bryce  not some 3rd year assistant . Ivan Vujic never considered Valpo ! He was offered a job  there .
Oren works for Valpo and his story is as one sided as it gets . Don't complain when Hutton is not a Valpo employee . He is doing his job!

Valpo wouldn't even be a blip on the radar screen if it wasn't for the Drew family and now you throw them under the bus! It's everyone else fault but the AD! Who is he! Made a great hire on women's basketball.

Skara is no pawn. He is a highly intelligent and talented student athlete who has offers from Clemson, GT, Richmond, Va Tech, TCU , Michigan. Why the hell would he want to play in the Horizon league in front of 2k fans in a high school gym when he can play in the best league in the country? What is so hard to understand about that? Do you really think Valpo without Bryce is a destination? Get a grip on reality ! Who have they signed ? Nobody ! 2 guys that Bryce had already recruited to Valpo.
Stop blaming all this on Don Bosco Prep !

Again these came directly from DBP earlier today.

That's a lot of DM's in response to a pretty short tweet. Maybe it's been building for a while.

Doesn't speak to the basic "most/many teams would prohibit players from following a coach who broke his contract and left" question. But, I guess that wasn't in the tweet directly.

This bit is interesting:

Quote
Ivan Vujic never considered Valpo ! He was offered a job  there .

Could be something for a reporter to look into.

Hahaha, how petty of the person that responded from DBP.  We don't owe Maravilla a damn thing.  He is a piece of sh#t, and is probably the d-bag that responded with DMs on his own.  I highly doubt that Vujic was offered a position at Valpo, as he has absolutely no track record as a good coach or a recruiter.  He failed at DePaul and Northwestern, and will fail wherever he ends up next.  Skara will end up at one of those schools mentioned, and play 3rd player off the bench minutes, and will regret leaving.  He is not going to be a key contributor at any of those schools, unless he goes to a bottom dweller like TCU.

Quote from: M on May 22, 2016, 08:14:21 PM
Here are some DM's a friend got from the DBP Twitter account after bashing the Hutton story on Twitter....enjoy:

There wouldn't have been a Sweet 16 or countless NCAA births had Maravilla not recommended Valpo 20 years ago to all those Euros and Puerto Ricans . Including Ivan Vujic Who benefited ?! Valpo!
Take off your blinders and sitop drinking the cool aid. Skara came to play for Bryce  not some 3rd year assistant . Ivan Vujic never considered Valpo ! He was offered a job  there .
Oren works for Valpo and his story is as one sided as it gets . Don't complain when Hutton is not a Valpo employee . He is doing his job!

Valpo wouldn't even be a blip on the radar screen if it wasn't for the Drew family and now you throw them under the bus! It's everyone else fault but the AD! Who is he! Made a great hire on women's basketball.

Skara is no pawn. He is a highly intelligent and talented student athlete who has offers from Clemson, GT, Richmond, Va Tech, TCU , Michigan. Why the hell would he want to play in the Horizon league in front of 2k fans in a high school gym when he can play in the best league in the country? What is so hard to understand about that? Do you really think Valpo without Bryce is a destination? Get a grip on reality ! Who have they signed ? Nobody ! 2 guys that Bryce had already recruited to Valpo.
Stop blaming all this on Don Bosco Prep !

Again these came directly from DBP earlier today.

1. The fact that Maravilla may have sent players Valpo's way would be to his credit - until he used his relationship with the basketball program and the threat of pulling out "his" player as a bargaining chip for a coaching position for Vujic. Once he crossed that line, ml had no choice but to stand his ground. No ethical leader with a lick of sense would have done otherwise.
2. David was clearly a pawn, no matter what Maravilla claims. If Maravilla were an honest broker, he would have told David, "This has nothing to do with you. Stay at Valpo and make us all proud."  Instead, out of spite for ml he encouraged David to leave and is now pushing a false narrative that David made an independent decision to seek greener pastures.
3. Maravilla is a liar and a small man. He represents the worst of the sleazy underbelly of college basketball. The fact that Hutton has his head up Maravilla's butt tells me he lacks judgement and discernment at a minimum, or is seriously character-flawed like his Bosco buddies.

(http://www.fbcommentpictures.com/media/images/2014/10/08/tmp4iSgPY.jpg)

Quit being so one-sided, Paul :)

If Valpo is such a crappy place, what does that say about his client not being able to land a job here?

According to the DBP Twitter site, Skara is heading to Clemson

https://twitter.com/DonBoscoHoops/status/734800806285713409 (https://twitter.com/DonBoscoHoops/status/734800806285713409)

Good!  Good luck David.  Let's all move on.

Thank you! Finally over. I'm tired of hearing about that sleaze Maravilla.

I had forgotten that Brad Brownell, formerly of Wright State, is the coach.  Chances are Bryce gave David a good recommendation and I'm happy for David.  Looks like Clemson had a relatively young team and one that David can grow with.

Clemson won 8 games against teams with a winning record. They are the worst house in a nice neighborhood.

Downgrade for Skara. Be careful what you wish for...

Glad that it is over as well.  He won't be a key contributor there, however, which is unfortunate for him. 

Here's the funny part.  Valpo would have been ranked in the middle of the pack in the ACC at year end (Sagarin) and a head of Clemson. Valpo also soundly beat a Florida State team ranked higher then Clemson.

Here's the best part:  Skara needs to sit out a year.  When he is eligible the coach he went to play for (Brownell) may not even be there!!  Apparently he is on the hot seat:

https://rubbingtherock.com/2015/12/19/clemson-basketball-is-brad-brownell-on-the-hot-seat/

So much for moving up two basketball levels.  Great advice from his handlers.  Nicely done. :clap:  Can't wait to see how this turns out.   :popcorn:

There will be a bit of a culture shock that he should be able to adjust to while sits out next season. Clemson is BIG in many respects -- enrollment, facilities and pressure. I quickly checked their current roster and they are big and deep at the 5 (2 6-10 and 1 7-0 returning).  Looks like a lot of guards but pretty lean at the 3 and 4 ---  probably why he commtted there. Dont know who were added as the 2016 recruiting class as freshmen either. I think if he were eligible immediately, i'd probably check on him from time to time next season. But he isnt, so by the Fall of 2017, David will probably not even be a memory. 

And, oh BTW, someone told me that Clemson is a football school. Really?

Quote from: vu72 on May 23, 2016, 07:07:40 PM
Here's the funny part.  Valpo would have been ranked in the middle of the pack in the ACC at year end (Sagarin) and a head of Clemson. Valpo also soundly beat a Florida State team ranked higher then Clemson.

Here's the best part:  Skara needs to sit out a year.  When he is eligible the coach he went to play for (Brownell) may not even be there!!  Apparently he is on the hot seat:

https://rubbingtherock.com/2015/12/19/clemson-basketball-is-brad-brownell-on-the-hot-seat/

So much for moving up two basketball levels.  Great advice from his handlers.  Nicely done. :clap:  Can't wait to see how this turns out.   :popcorn:

The poll in the article indicated that 76% of respondants said he was on the hot seat.  :coffeetime:

What adult who has somewhat of a responsibility position posts that kind of crap on a "school" twitter account.  Seriously, something is not right there..

What kind of pawn deal did Clemson get offered? I'm sure we will figure it out eventually.

fact: Maravilla told Lottich if he doesn't hire Vujic, Skara would leave.
fact: Lottich did not offer Vujic a job.
fact: The day after Lottich completed the hiring of his staff, Skara asked for his release.

Why are we still in this thread? Last time I checked, Neither Maravilla nor Skara were associated with Valpo basketball.

Quote from: ValpoFan on May 24, 2016, 01:04:21 AM
Why are we still in this thread? Last time I checked, Neither Maravilla nor Skara were associated with Valpo basketball.

Because adults want to talk about it on a discussion board. Are you the hall monitor who decides what people should and should not talk about?

Quote from: ValpoFan on May 24, 2016, 01:04:21 AM
Why are we still in this thread? Last time I checked, Neither Maravilla nor Skara were associated with Valpo basketball.

Well, the thread IS titled "David Skara is transferring...", so I guess it is OK to talk about a former player for a bit.

Seriously, I wish David all the best on his transfer. He could have been an integral part of the Valpo team next year. Time will tell how things work out for him at Clemson.

Enough is enough!  We lost a class kid who could have been a very good player for us because of  of some bad influential people with whom he trusted. Now David is gone and let's forget about the other bad characters and get on with life.

Quote from: valpo64 on May 24, 2016, 11:53:59 AM
Enough is enough!  We lost a class kid who could have been a very good player for us because of  of some bad influential people with whom he trusted. Now David is gone and let's forget about the other bad characters and get on with life.

Best of luck David.  I have a niece that goes to Clemson so I will probably check them out once David is actually playing. I think he will find a major role there as long as he can stay injury free.  We did not see what David was really capable of this year.  Really loved his game and will miss watching him in the Brown and Gold.

I wish David Skara the best at Clemson. 

Quote from: chef on May 23, 2016, 10:33:54 PMfact: Lottich did not offer Vujic a job.

No surprise, but it's nice to have some confirmation. Doesn't help DBP's reputation around these parts, naturally...

I wish best of luck to David also. And yes thank you Chef for the confirmation also. But I wonder with Mike Hutton's one sided OP Ed pieces how many people will actually look at DBP as the bad guy around NWI and not look at VU in a slightly negative way. All the fans know the truth, but the average reader of the Post Tribune will may not. Maravilla continually tweets the crap about the whole situation and Mike Hutton seems to be his mouthpiece for some reason

Quote from: RS on May 24, 2016, 04:07:23 PM
I wish best of luck to David also. And yes thank you Chef for the confirmation also. But I wonder with Mike Hutton's one sided OP Ed pieces how many people will actually look at DBP as the bad guy around NWI and not look at VU in a slightly negative way. All the fans know the truth, but the average reader of the Post Tribune will may not. Maravilla continually tweets the crap about the whole situation and Mike Hutton seems to be his mouthpiece for some reason

The good news , in this regard, is that many more people read the Times (Paul Oren) than the PT (Hutton).

I hope Skara at Clemson doesn't work out.

Quote from: a3uge on May 24, 2016, 10:23:51 PM
I hope Skara at Clemson doesn't work out.

I, OTOH, hope that things do work out for Skara at Clemson. If this episode is to be forgotten quickly then the attention must be taken off Valpo and the role it played in getting Skara to Clemson. David will realize soon enough he would have been happier staying at Valpo whether he is successful or not at Clemson.

Quote from: ValpoFan on May 24, 2016, 01:04:21 AMWhy are we still in this thread? Last time I checked, Neither Maravilla nor Skara were associated with Valpo basketball.

Well...I'm here because I hadn't checked in a few days and now I know Skara has committed to Clemson.

The more pertinent and puzzling issue, in regards to you questioning the rest of the participants, is why did you even open this thread if you aren't concerned with it? That would certainly be odd don't you think?

We have had players transfer to bigger programs in the past.  Besides Woods, I can't think of any that worked in their benefit.  Woods still never played in the NBA.

At the meet-and-greet this evening, Coach Lottich confirmed Skara really had wanted to remain at Valpo but the decision to transfer was dictated by his handlers. Lottich then wished David the best at Clemson.

If you have a twitter account please tweet at Mike Hutton the reporter for the Post Tribune to educate him on the Skara situation. He just wrote a story about Don Bosco Prep and said Dave Maravilla "suffered the wrath of Valparaiso University fans". If you don't have a twitter to email the Mike Hutton: mhutton@post-trib.com

https://twitter.com/MikeHuttonPT/status/838139136364118017

https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/838147265466413056

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-ptb-mike-hutton-column-st-0305-20170304-column.html

Hutton: Don Bosco fills prep school niche for Region's boys basketball players

By: Mike Hutton
Post-Tribune


Roman Penn was sure he could play Division I basketball. He just needed the right vehicle to showcase his talents.

"I had to talk my mom into it," Penn said of going to Don Bosco Prep in Crown Point. "I promised her if I went to a prep school, I'd get a Division I scholarship.

A 5-foot-10 point guard who graduated from Bishop Noll last year, Penn was the Warriors' best player. He had a knack for squeezing between defenders and getting to the basket, but he was deemed too small for Division I.

Penn took a calculated risk and enrolled at Don Bosco. After an impressive summer and fall, it paid off when Siena offered him a scholarship.

Penn couldn't get to Albany, N.Y., fast enough. He enrolled in January for the spring semester.

"It's a good situation," he said. "They had a scholarship open. I'm able to come down here and practice with the team and go to school. It's been a blessing."

Without Don Bosco, Penn doesn't know where he'd be.

He had a few offers to junior colleges, but he called going that "route a grind." He decided on Don Bosco, a kiosk-style prep school that only takes kids who qualify for college.

Dave Maravilla established the school in 2013 to fill a local niche for tweeners — kids who are borderline college players. Annual tuition and fees are relatively cheap — around $16,585 — compared to a full-time prep school.

Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts, where Crown Point's Spike Albrecht attended prep school, lists room, board and tuition at $59,500, plus $2,015 in mandatory fees.

Don Bosco's teams practice at the old Crown Point High School and plays at Indiana University Northwest.

Students' days are loosely structured. They take three classes at Ivy Tech. They practice. They work on their strength and agility. Mostly, it's about playing and getting exposure.

For Chesterton's Chris Palombizio, who's a freshman guard at Oakland, going to Don Bosco gave him a chance to reframe his recruitment.

He had committed to Western Michigan before his junior year, then decommitted as a senior. Palombizio felt the Broncos' interest waned because of a broken foot he suffered the end of his junior year.

Palombizio credited Maravilla for "helping me get where I'm at. He got the schools to come see us. If you need a second chance, he can really help."

Maravilla is fiercely loyal to his players.

He incurred the wrath of Valparaiso University fans last year when he helped David Skara transfer to Clemson after Bryce Drew left for Vanderbilt.

Maravilla was involved with Midwest Elite Prep Basketball Academy in Merrillville and brought in Skara, a native of Croatia. Maravilla had a falling out with the owner and opened Don Bosco.

It's been successful.

Twenty-six players have gone on to college, including 14 who signed with Division I schools. The rest, with a few exceptions, got a scholarship to play college basketball.

Maravilla was an agent for 24 years representing mostly European players. Tired of spending three months a year overseas chasing professional players, he decided to give the prep school a try.

It's been rewarding.

"My only regret is I didn't do it three or four years earlier," he said.

Maravilla recruits under-the-radar players who are college qualifiers with a "chip on their shoulder because they work hard. These are guys that may not pass the look test."

Valparaiso's Conner TenHove fits the Don Bosco profile. A 6-8 forward, TenHove had one offer, from Air Force. and still has it to fall back on. Schools like Siena, Marist and Toledo have shown interest.

He feels like he has a good shot at expanding his options.

"It's certainly a risk," TenHove said. "But I'm betting on myself to get better. This gives me a chance to get better."

My vote, I'm done with that drama.  Verdict is in, Skara is a good guy.  DB guy's a douche.  Mike Hutton looks like a strung out drug addict pimping 1970s hairstyle.

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 04, 2017, 05:30:48 PM
My vote, I'm done with that drama.  Verdict is in, Skara is a good guy.  DB guy's a douche.  Mike Hutton looks like a strung out drug addict pimping 1970s hairstyle.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/chi-mike-hutton-staff.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/chi-mike-hutton-staff.html)

I just saw this. One of the Top players in the region Nick Mantis is going to play for Don Bosco Prep. I still have a bitter taste in my mouth from the way that "Prep School" treated (used) David the way they did.

https://twitter.com/nmantis30/status/847609618847080459

I think it left us more bitter then the coaching staff as I saw DB st more then a few VU home games this season.

Do these type of transfers ever return to their original school?     ;)

Good move by Mantis. Saw him play against Valpo High.
He's a good kid but I'm not sure he could play at VU's level.

Wow. I want to know the backstory behind this suspension. He's being suspended by the NCAA and not by school. It makes you wonder.

I honestly wish nothing but the best for David because he's a great kid. Hopefully this suspension doesn't set him back.

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/929087328542392321

I'm hoping nothing shady was going on at our end. We all know there was shady things happening with the "Prep School" that forced him to transfer.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanESPN/status/929084124836528135
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/929085908812431360
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/929088977541517317
https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/929087328542392321
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/929089893413867520

Very sorry to hear this.  This will most likely have lasting implication on playing time the rest of the season. Could this incident have played into the transfer? Nine games is better than a whole season and who knows if the Jubril precedent would have made a year suspension more likely if he had stayed at VU?

Quote from: FWalum on November 10, 2017, 03:17:35 PM
Could this incident have played into the transfer? Nine games is better than a whole season and who knows if the Jubril precedent would have made a year suspension more likely if he had stayed at VU?

Nope. It had everything to do with Coach Lottich not hiring Ivan Vujic (former VU bball player) who is also a client of Dave Maravilla's. Maravilla runs/owns the "prep school" program and is an active player agent.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/929099962000035840

Paul wrote about it.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/929100407565180929

Suspended for 9 games for what I hear is essentially the same infraction that Jubril got suspended for, for over 20 games. David should have transferred to North Carolina or Kentucky. Then he would have only been suspended for 2 or 3 games, if any at all.

Quote from: VUBBFan on November 10, 2017, 04:06:32 PM
Suspended for 9 games for what I hear is for essentially the same infraction that Jubril got suspended for over 20 games. David should have transferred to North Carolina or Kentucky. Then he would have only been suspended for 2 or 3 games, if any at all.

Valpo is such a rare school. How many schools out of the 351 D1 programs would actually self report themselves to the NCAA? I'm willing to say not many.

We never got the whole story about the Jubril situation. All that was explained was that it was a academic violation. I heard through the grape vine it was something about a paper. Maybe they worked together on a paper. Because Valpo was self reporting Jubril's academic violation, maybe thats how Skara got caught up in it with the NCAA? I'm not sure how that all went down. It's all in the past now. I just don't like see Valpo's name and academic violation being used in the same sentence on twitter.

So basically, he cheated on tests, as well.  If it is the same thing that Jubril did, it is complete BS that he only gets 9 games.  I love how Paul directly calls out the Vujic situation again.  LOVE it :)

It would be interesting for someone to get comments from Bryce Drew on this academic issue.  I have to assume it was under his watch, not Coach Matt's.  Skara was gone before he started as head coach.

Near impossible I know, but would be very interesting....

Knowing that Skara was involved, it was probably a very wise decision to self-report. I can only imagine the damage Vucic and that other clown could have caused by going to the NCAA and accusing Valpo of a cover-up.

If cheating on a test is worth a 20-game suspension, how much is stealing while representing your country in China worth?

UCLA players quizzed over alleged shoplifting to remain in China: ESPN

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21370055/three-ucla-players-arrested-shoplifting-charges-fly-home-team

What do you wanna bet that some university baby coddler will deem that the emotional distress of not being allowed to leave China with their teammates is punishment enough.

Quote from: wh on November 11, 2017, 01:35:57 PM
If cheating on a test is worth a 20-game suspension, how much is stealing while representing your country in China worth?

UCLA players quizzed over alleged shoplifting to remain in China: ESPN

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21370055/three-ucla-players-arrested-shoplifting-charges-fly-home-team

What do you wanna bet that some university baby coddler will deem that the emotional distress of not being allowed to leave China with their teammates is punishment enough.

This ordeal will be covered by Big Baller Brand...

Quote from: wh on November 11, 2017, 01:35:57 PMWhat do you wanna bet that some university baby coddler will deem that the emotional distress of not being allowed to leave China with their teammates is punishment enough.

It's not academic. Probably at Valpo this would be two games, like Burton and Sorolla, right? They've missed one already, they'll miss more than another as they wait in China for the legal process.

Bad situation for the students, horrible press for UCLA and NCAA.

Quote from: agibson on November 12, 2017, 10:10:21 AM

Quote from: wh on November 11, 2017, 01:35:57 PMWhat do you wanna bet that some university baby coddler will deem that the emotional distress of not being allowed to leave China with their teammates is punishment enough.

It's not academic. Probably at Valpo this would be two games, like Burton and Sorolla, right? They've missed one already, they'll miss more than another as they wait in China for the legal process.

Bad situation for the students, horrible press for UCLA and NCAA.

Which begs the question, how in the world are they keeping up with academics while they're under house arrest in China.

Quote from: FWalum on November 12, 2017, 01:45:03 PM
Which begs the question, how in the world are they keeping up with academics while they're under house arrest in China.

Most major power programs have their student-athletes take online classes so they don't even have to go to classes. That's one way how they avoid the "student" part of student-athlete.

The power conferences may have athletes go the on-line route but I do know that my granddaughter has had a number of IU basketball players in her classes at Bloomington.  Of course I must add that perhaps IU is not a major program  :)   :)    After the way they played vs. ISU, perhaps they should do the on-line thing and spend more time in the gym.

I would like an explanation from the NCAA why the guy at the midmajor lost 20 games and the remainder of his senior season, but the player who transfers to a P5 only loses 9 games. I imagine VU and Jubril's family attorneys would be interested in having the NCAA answer that question in front of a judge as well.

Quote from: valpo64 on November 12, 2017, 04:38:51 PM
The power conferences may have athletes go the on-line route but I do know that my granddaughter has had a number of IU basketball players in her classes at Bloomington.  Of course I must add that perhaps IU is not a major program  :)   :)    After the way they played vs. ISU, perhaps they should do the on-line thing and spend more time in the gym.

My education credentials predate the www, so I never had an opportunity to take a class on-line. I do know they're popular, and I can certainly understand the convenience factor and other benefits. That said, I do have a question. In the case of students living in a dorm taking the same on-line class, wouldn't that be an invitation to improperly "collaborate," or are there built-in safeguards for that?  Again, I'm not picking at the validity of on-line classes. It seems like universities everywhere are using them and I'm sure they've been carefully assessed for quality, etc. Just asking a straightforward question.

Quote from: VU2014 on November 12, 2017, 02:06:42 PM

Quote from: FWalum on November 12, 2017, 01:45:03 PM
Which begs the question, how in the world are they keeping up with academics while they're under house arrest in China.

Most major power programs have their student-athletes take online classes so they don't even have to go to classes. That's one way how they avoid the "student" part of student-athlete.

I guess you are probably right. As the husband of a college professor I am aware of online courses, but working in software I also know the internet in China is not as we know it and access I to US academic websites are probably not available to the general public, but then I remembered that they would be in luxury tourist hotels that would have unrestricted access.

One thing they won't have:  social media sites. Those are not permitted in China. Those Bruins will be catatonic.

Quote from: FWalum on November 12, 2017, 10:14:25 PMbut then I remembered that they would be in luxury tourist hotels that would have unrestricted access.

It sounds like it's varied a lot over the years, and even month-to-month.

My conference hotel in Beijing a few months ago didn't seem to have any special privileges. No google, no facebook, no twitter, no NY Times.

But, VPN's are widely used and not too expensive. They might slow down your connection considerably, but they should allow unrestricted internet access.

Quote from: wh on November 12, 2017, 05:27:17 PM

Quote from: valpo64 on November 12, 2017, 04:38:51 PM
The power conferences may have athletes go the on-line route but I do know that my granddaughter has had a number of IU basketball players in her classes at Bloomington.  Of course I must add that perhaps IU is not a major program  :)   :)    After the way they played vs. ISU, perhaps they should do the on-line thing and spend more time in the gym.

My education credentials predate the www, so I never had an opportunity to take a class on-line. I do know they're popular, and I can certainly understand the convenience factor and other benefits. That said, I do have a question. In the case of students living in a dorm taking the same on-line class, wouldn't that be an invitation to improperly "collaborate," or are there built-in safeguards for that? Again, I'm not picking at the validity of on-line classes. It seems like universities everywhere are using them and I'm sure they've been carefully assessed for quality, etc. Just asking a straightforward question.

Looks like I may have answered my own question about improperly collaborating on answers, albeit slightly different circumstances. Hot off the press:

APPS 3 hours ago
Scandal rocks Ohio State University as 83 students accused of cheating via app

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/11/13/scandal-rocks-ohio-state-university-as-83-students-accused-cheating-via-app.html

Quote from: wh on November 12, 2017, 05:27:17 PMIn the case of students living in a dorm taking the same on-line class, wouldn't that be an invitation to improperly "collaborate," or are there built-in safeguards for that? 

Good question. I have always wondered how profs that have their students take the class online deal with the issue of "cheating/collaboration/outside influence?"

Quote from: bbtds on November 13, 2017, 12:45:23 PM

Quote from: wh on November 12, 2017, 05:27:17 PMIn the case of students living in a dorm taking the same on-line class, wouldn't that be an invitation to improperly "collaborate," or are there built-in safeguards for that?

Good question. I have always wondered how profs that have their students take the class online deal with the issue of "cheating/collaboration/outside influence?"

Many on-line classes (at least in some of the MBA/MA/MS offerings I have witnessed) actually place a high premium on collaboration. Courses are set up with enollees divided into teams and grades are given based on each group's outputs.  Many outputs are team "projects" that are submitted as jointly prepared papers of one sort or another.  In theory, groups are expected to divide work evenly and monitor their own progress.  In reality, the strongest/smartest/dedicated enrollees usually carry the lesser enrollees along for the ride.

There are tools that allow professors to monitor whether the correct student is taking an exam. It essentially videotapes them for a length of time set by the professor (yeah, that is kind of creepy). You can also require them to go to a testing center to take online exams.  Still, online courses create lots of potential issues for whether the ultimate grade is credible.

Quote from: bbtds on November 13, 2017, 12:45:23 PMGood question. I have always wondered how profs that have their students take the class online deal with the issue of "cheating/collaboration/outside influence?"

I've taught some online courses. The key is to make the material "uncheatable." I've taught a social media class online. I ask them to write papers about their own experiences with social media, things that they couldn't possibly cheat on, unless they were simply making it up.

Quote from: Pgmado on November 13, 2017, 02:16:31 PMunless they were simply making it up.

I think this is the way I passed most of my tougher classes. If the professor (or Ginger or Maryann) thought I was creative enough I passed anyway.  ;)