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Topic: CMU starting RB was convicted of a misdemeanor 2 weeks ago

Topic: CMU starting RB was convicted of a misdemeanor 2 weeks ago

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Chipdip49
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Member Since: 10/2/2014
Post Count: 6

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CMU starting RB was convicted of a misdemeanor 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:25:06 AM

In the era of Winston Jamison I feel it important that you guys know who you're facing on Saturday.

Dan Enos, the CMU football coach is on the hotseat. He started fast with a win over Purdue, and much of that success was do to a stellar performance by Thomas Rawls, their transfer running back.

Rawls is a 5th year senior, who left UM and came to CMU. In an interview with his mother she pointed out how hard Thomas had to work to graduate from UM so he could transfer and play immediately at CMU. She pointed out that Thomas completed 43 credit hours in 3 months. Not sure how you do that.

In May Rawls was at a casino in Mt. Pleasant. He stole a woman's purse, took her credit cards, and went on a spending spree. He was caught and charged with three felonies. He enrolled at CMU, and did not tell CMU's coach that he was awaiting trial on these felony charges. After two games Rawls finally told his coach, because he was scheduled for trial the following Tuesday.

Rawls went to trial and plea bargained down to one count of felony larceny. The judge convicted him of a High Court Misdemeanor, which carries the same sentence as a felony (up to two years in prison). The state legislature came up with this "felony light" name so that the felon can be sentenced to a felony but not have to check the "felony box" on every job application he ever fills out.

The day after Rawls was convicted of a felony the CMU football coach reinstated him. This, in spite of the fact that in three weeks he will be sentenced, and that could be the end of his career. Two other CMU players were convicted of felonies earlier this year and were dismissed from the team, but neither were significant contributors like Rawls.

So in a nutshell, CMU's biggest offensive weapon, who is basically a 1 year rent a player from UM, was convicted of a felony two weeks ago, and was welcomed back by a desperate coach the following day.

The MAC is a true student athlete conference and doesn't need to be putting recently convicted felons who are awaiting sentencing out on the field.

You won't hear about this because the MAC isn't the SEC or the Pig10, and the media doesn't care about anything not P5. To me at least this is unacceptable in this league, and people should know about it, which is why I'm bringing it to your attention. If you have concerns, a short email to MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbach will at least let them know that MAC fans are aware of this, and feel it is a black eye on the league.

Last Edited: 10/3/2014 2:13:37 PM by Jeff McKinney

bobcatsquared
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:30:17 AM

Above post coming from a Chip fan. Impressive. Would Bobcat fans, in the same situation, respond similarly?

Chipdip49
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Member Since: 10/2/2014
Post Count: 6

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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:37:37 AM

No, I'm actually a WMU alum. I put this out there because reinstating Rawls the day after he was convicted simply smells of desperation, and looks bad on the league. Admittedly, I am not a CMU fan, as they're our rivals, but this simply smells of bad, and needs to be out there.

It's not like this is new at CMU. During the Kelly era 7 CMU football players kicked a guy to death in a bar fight. It was tried on Court TV. Like everything in the MAC, the media was more concerned about free tatoos at OSU than about MAC players murdering someone. Nobody talked (snitched), and the witnesses couldn't specifically identify each player. The plea bargained to a lesser charge, and NO ONE EVER HEARD ABOUT IT. They were dismissed from the program after the trial.

Anyhow, I'm not fond of the idea of having a convicted felon on ESPN running up yardage and getting accolades, so I'm putting the info out there. You guys have a great journalism school. Might be an interesting story to put out there.

Last Edited: 10/2/2014 8:39:01 AM by Chipdip49

C Money
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:42:02 AM

Head coach, needing wins to satisfy fans and save his job, reinstates star player in order to get said wins, but in doing so enrages fans and makes his firing more likely.

http://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc

With the exception of MSU, football in the Mitten State has seen better days.

ytownbobcat
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Member Since: 8/7/2006
Post Count: 1,253

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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:44:33 AM

Very sad story. This young man is being exploited by those who choose not to confront his negative behavior. Pressure to win makes for very short sighted decisions.
In the long run not in anyones best interest to put football first.

Chipdip49
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Member Since: 10/2/2014
Post Count: 6

Status: Offline

RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:58:09 AM

While I'm not a Chip fan, I've read several Criticisms of this on CMU message boards, although many commend Enos for putting wins ahead of ethics. At the very least they should have waited for his sentencing on Oct. 21st, before reinstating him.

Last Edited: 10/2/2014 8:59:42 AM by Chipdip49

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:19:42 AM

bobcatsquared wrote:

Above post coming from a Chip fan. Impressive. Would Bobcat fans, in the same situation, respond similarly?

Having since learned this fan is actually an alum of an in-state rival, I can tell you that YES I would absolutely go to opposing message boards to talk bad about an in-state rival and their criminal players.

While my first thought would be to trash the Miami program, to their credit they aren't usually the in-state rival with the sketchiest players. In my mind, that honor falls to Akron or Kent on the hardwood.

I've seen crazier things happen.

Ohio69
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 2,992

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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:30:43 AM

Wow. You'd think they'd at least wait until sentencing.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

Pataskala
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:39:03 AM

I think Chipdip's initial post was disingenuous for not identifying him/herself as a WMU grad and using a handle that gave many the impression he/she is connected to CMU. That said, I agree with Chip -- and many others, including the sportswriter for the Mt. Pleasant newspaper -- that they brought Rawls back too soon. The guy pleaded guilty; he's a criminal. That alone should cost him some games, if not his schollie (ala the O$U idiot who ran onto the field last Saturday). But CMU has decided to reward him for his plea bargain. Not classy at all. Writing the MAC office likely won't help. But raising a stink in the media might; that made Goodell wake up on domestic violence.

Chip, if you are really serious about this, you should contact the Kalamazoo or Detroit media or somebody like ESPN and tell them they're missing the story. Someone at the Michigan legislature also might be interested, especially during an election year. Show them this story from Mt. Pleasant: http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20140928/nate-schneid....

Last Edited: 10/2/2014 9:56:51 AM by Pataskala

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

Jeff McKinney
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:59:28 AM

Chipdip, thanks for the posts.

Pataskala
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 10:10:37 AM

BTW, you should change the subject line and your original post. The plea brought it down to a misdemeanor. http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/2.../

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

Speaker of Truth
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 11:05:01 AM

Honest Question:

How many student athletes would be suspended from the NCAA for stealing Music, Movies, ETC by illegal downloading. I know intellectual property isn't that same as what this guy did, but I think there is a big double standard. People download music and movies illegally(Or watch OU games on First Row Sports), and then chastise people who steal physical property. I'm most of us are guilty of this in some way, but I think it is an interesting discussion.

GoCats105
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Location: Seattle, WA
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RE: CMU RB was convicted of a felony two weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 11:05:21 AM

Sounds a lot like what was happening at Oklahoma State in that SI article last year. If you play well, they make exceptions. If not, good luck to you.

And this is for a one year player! That's what baffles me. It's not like CMU is expecting to have a 12-0 season and possible lucrative bowl game as the best G5 team. They will probably go anywhere from 5-7 to 8-4 with him or without him.

My guess is Enos did this to save his job. The more wins he gets this year, the less likely he is to get fired. Just incredible.

OhioBobcat
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 12:46:28 PM

Chipdip49 wrote:

This is a pretty Bush League post IMO. I'm aware of what happened at CMU and it's discussed in another thread on this board, but for a WMU fan coming on board here to post this about CMU makes me laugh. What, are you going to go to the NIU board next week and to the BSU board after that in hopes he doesn't get to play against WMU later this year? Every school has its issues, some of which others would frown upon or question how they handled it. We currently have players and a head coach here leading this program that many have questioned whether they should have been dismissed or allowed back. CMU has handled this issue and it has been dealt with. It's their issue. I want to play CMU with Rawls so when we beat them it wasn't because they were without their top back. So you and PJ can go "Row, Row, Row your Boat" gently somewhere else to whine about it.

Chipdip49
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Post Count: 6

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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 1:12:25 PM

You say CMU has handled it.

Yes, they handled it by reinstating him IMMEDIATELY after he plea bargained 3 felony charges down to 1 felony larceny charge. It's horrible precedent to set, it basically enables bad behavior.

Yes, he did plea bargain the 3 felonies down to a High Court Misdemeanor. Felony larceny and a High Court Misdemeanor are both punishable by up to 2 years in prison. The court does this as a consideration, so that a young man starting out in life doesn't have to check the "have you ever been convicted of a felony box" on every job application they fill out. But technically, still a felony.

Lots of teams in this league have players with legal issues, WMU included. What they haven't done is reinstate them the day after their conviction without adding a consequence.

I could care less about the perception of putting this news out there for other teams fans to digest. When you start to accept bad behavior it just perpetuates more of it.

Bcat2
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 1:36:16 PM

OhioBobcat wrote:

Chipdip49 wrote:

Ray Rice was dealt with, then ....... If most of the above is true this is a pot that should be stirred until CMU gets it right. I read some CMU fans were planning to not attend or were going to bring purses, leave them on their seats and go home.

Last Edited: 10/2/2014 1:39:06 PM by Bcat2

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

L.C.
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 1:40:09 PM

Chipdip49 wrote:

.... Yes, he did plea bargain the 3 felonies down to a High Court Misdemeanor. Felony larceny and a High Court Misdemeanor are both punishable by up to 2 years in prison. The court does this as a consideration, so that a young man starting out in life doesn't have to check the "have you ever been convicted of a felony box" on every job application they fill out. But technically, still a felony....

If it is "technically a felony", then he loses his right to vote, and he has to check the "have you ever been convicted of a felony" box. If it is not "technically a felony", then he doesn't.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Sony7
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 1:45:11 PM

We will play dirty teams all year (Hell we already played Marshall). That doesn't change the fact that we still have to win this game. I'm not a big fan of wishing our opponents ill will through injury or disciplinary actions. Right now the rap on Ohio (by reading future opponent chat boards) is that we haven't beaten anyone. We need this test, and we need to win the game when they are full strength. In other words - OHIO needs a "signature" win. This game is huge for Ohio. Let coaches and officials deal with all the fairness issues. This is a distraction. GO OHIO!

Go Bobcats!

SONY7

OhioBobcat
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 2:54:52 PM

Chipdip49 wrote:

So why are you coming here to whine and moan about it?? Did Rawls also kick your dog too? Is your neighbor watering his lawn during the sprinkler ban? Jeez. Go cry about it over on a WMU board where people actually care. Or stand on the front steps of the courthouse in Mt Pleasant and vent about it. And here I thought they only worried about where they are going to place the next set of boat oars in Kalamazoo.

GoCats105
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 2:57:43 PM

OhioBobcat wrote:

Chipdip49 wrote:

Would your argument be any different if it were a Marshall fan (who doesn't play CMU this year) coming on here and spouting about it? Maybe he just wanted to get others' opinions on it. You're looking at this the wrong way.

Last Edited: 10/2/2014 2:58:23 PM by GoCats105

TheBobcatBandit
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 3:30:32 PM

Why wouldn't he go as many places as he could to raise awareness? In the wake of all the things going on with football and bad sentencing this should be a major story. If you are about to be sentenced to prison you shouldn't be playing in a football game a week before. It's that simple.

Last Edited: 10/2/2014 3:32:15 PM by TheBobcatBandit

L.C.
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 4:10:29 PM

TheBobcatBandit wrote:

..If you are about to be sentenced to prison you shouldn't be playing in a football game a week before. It's that simple.

I would have to guess that Enos is banking on him getting something like probation for a punishment. If he plays on a Saturday, and gets a year in prison on a Monday, it's going to really raise some eyebrows, and not in a good way, but that's Enos' problem, not ours.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Pataskala
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 8:02:21 PM

L.C. wrote:

TheBobcatBandit wrote:

..If you are about to be sentenced to prison you shouldn't be playing in a football game a week before. It's that simple.

It's not like they went out and bought hundreds in electronics or something. According to the report, they bought some subs and about $30 in gas, I think, and that was it. Maybe they got caught before they could buy more, but they look at what they did buy. It was probably $50 or less, so sending him to the slammer isn't likely. What's working against him is his denials that he did anything when the video shows him doing it. If he has an attorney that's halfway decent he'll fess up and likely get probation. Still, it would've been good if Enos would sit him until the legal stuff works out, but when you've been on the hotseat for two or three years the bar for "the right thing" tends to drop.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

Alan Swank
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:09:50 PM

Hey - a guy can steal seafood after winning the Heisman and continue to play baseball and football.

L.C.
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RE: CMU starting RB was convicted of a felony 2 weeks ago

Posted: 10/2/2014 9:10:17 PM

OK, thanks. If ~$100 was what was involved, and it was a first offense, it isn't surprising that the prosecutors agreed to reduce it to a misdemeanor, and you're probably right that jail time isn't likely.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

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