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Welcome back Jimmy Wilson
- Thread starter BWahlberg
- Start date
Hopefully he will take advantage of this rare opportunity both on and off the field and in the classroom.
I have mixed feeling about this. The university and athletic department are certainly within there legal rights to pursue this venue, I am concerned that it will be a distraction to the rest of the team. The legal system found him not guilty, and I am fine with that. I am so thankful that it is not Hauck at the helm this year when this came through. Can you imagine the storm on this board then.
I wonder if he will be scholarship or not. I assume not, given the situation.
Wow. This board just got interesting today.
I wonder if he will be scholarship or not. I assume not, given the situation.
Wow. This board just got interesting today.
You've got to think there was an incredibly heavy vetting of this action, I mean the first in-conference road game (and the rest of them) there's going to be mass taunting that makes the Mike Chavez "have a drink" chants look like childs play.
Happy for 2nd chances aside I also like the depth/talent he adds to the secondary and special teams.
Happy for 2nd chances aside I also like the depth/talent he adds to the secondary and special teams.
Grisly Fan
Well-known member
While I am not so naive to believe that our legal system is perfect, I am no cynic either. I believe that justice was done and so young Mr. Wilson deserves to have this terrible incident behind him. I hope he is treated fairly by everyone and I hope that he knows that not everyone will treat him that way. He will need to be mentally tough on and off the field. I certainly wish him well with getting on with life.
Welcome back Jimmy! Second chances are rare. Don't waste it...
Welcome back Jimmy! Second chances are rare. Don't waste it...
Re/Max, I have to agree. I assume this was gone over with a fine tooth comb. As you can see by the statements from all involved, it appears that they were all given the same thing to say by someone with some legal experience.
Here is the article the Missoulian just posted:
http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_190b1c70-8de0-11df-9a5a-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story
Acquitted of murder: Jimmy Wilson will return to UM to play football
Jimmy Wilson will return to the University of Montana this fall to play football, following his acquittal on murder charges in Southern California.
The NCAA has granted one more year of athletic eligibility to Wilson. The decision was reached late last week.
Wilson, 23, was a member of the Griz football team from 2004 to 2006. In a jury trial last summer, he was acquitted of a murder charge involving an incident that occurred in the Los Angeles area in June 2007 - a charge he contended all along was a matter of self-defense. The 12-person jury unanimously agreed with Wilson. The original jury trial the previous year resulted in a hung jury (11 jurors voting not guilty and one guilty), after which the prosecution chose to retry the case.
This past year, Wilson has been employed and living in Southern California and spending time with his family. Earlier this year, Wilson contacted UM officials about re-enrolling in school and asked that a waiver be filed with the NCAA seeking restoration of his senior year. Thanks to the efforts of UM Associate Athletic Director Jean Gee, a strong case was made and approved by the NCAA staff.
"I thank God for the opportunity to further my education," Wilson said. "I am thankful to the coaches and Jean for helping me with the waiver process. I am excited I have the chance to compete again in the classroom and on the field as a Grizzly."
Wilson, a three-year starter at UM before his incarceration, was ineligible to return to Division I football because his eligibility under the five-year clock rule expired following the 2008 football season. NCAA bylaws state that once students enroll full time in an institution, they have five years to complete their seasons of competition.
"The NCAA has ruled in favor of Jimmy, and we support the decision," said UM Athletic Director Jim O'Day. "This will allow this young man to restore what he's been missing the past three years and follow his dreams both academically and athletically. The university is all about opportunity and second chances, and we are treating this matter no differently than we would for any student-athlete, whether from Montana or California. We will welcome Jimmy back into the Griz family with open arms and wish him success."
UM head football coach Robin Pflugrad agreed. "The more we researched and evaluated Jimmy's situation, it became obvious that Jimmy had made more than satisfactory progress in his responsibility of being a student-athlete at The University of Montana," he said. "Jimmy has unquestionably shown tremendous courage and strength of character in the past three years. I truly believe that Jimmy Wilson deserves the opportunity to pursue his educational goals. Our players and staff are excited about the news of bringing Jimmy back into the Grizzly family."
UM President George M. Dennison said, "The legal system has run its course, and we agree with the outcome that was achieved. We relish this opportunity to help this student-athlete get his life back on track with an education at The University of Montana."
http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_190b1c70-8de0-11df-9a5a-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story
Acquitted of murder: Jimmy Wilson will return to UM to play football
Jimmy Wilson will return to the University of Montana this fall to play football, following his acquittal on murder charges in Southern California.
The NCAA has granted one more year of athletic eligibility to Wilson. The decision was reached late last week.
Wilson, 23, was a member of the Griz football team from 2004 to 2006. In a jury trial last summer, he was acquitted of a murder charge involving an incident that occurred in the Los Angeles area in June 2007 - a charge he contended all along was a matter of self-defense. The 12-person jury unanimously agreed with Wilson. The original jury trial the previous year resulted in a hung jury (11 jurors voting not guilty and one guilty), after which the prosecution chose to retry the case.
This past year, Wilson has been employed and living in Southern California and spending time with his family. Earlier this year, Wilson contacted UM officials about re-enrolling in school and asked that a waiver be filed with the NCAA seeking restoration of his senior year. Thanks to the efforts of UM Associate Athletic Director Jean Gee, a strong case was made and approved by the NCAA staff.
"I thank God for the opportunity to further my education," Wilson said. "I am thankful to the coaches and Jean for helping me with the waiver process. I am excited I have the chance to compete again in the classroom and on the field as a Grizzly."
Wilson, a three-year starter at UM before his incarceration, was ineligible to return to Division I football because his eligibility under the five-year clock rule expired following the 2008 football season. NCAA bylaws state that once students enroll full time in an institution, they have five years to complete their seasons of competition.
"The NCAA has ruled in favor of Jimmy, and we support the decision," said UM Athletic Director Jim O'Day. "This will allow this young man to restore what he's been missing the past three years and follow his dreams both academically and athletically. The university is all about opportunity and second chances, and we are treating this matter no differently than we would for any student-athlete, whether from Montana or California. We will welcome Jimmy back into the Griz family with open arms and wish him success."
UM head football coach Robin Pflugrad agreed. "The more we researched and evaluated Jimmy's situation, it became obvious that Jimmy had made more than satisfactory progress in his responsibility of being a student-athlete at The University of Montana," he said. "Jimmy has unquestionably shown tremendous courage and strength of character in the past three years. I truly believe that Jimmy Wilson deserves the opportunity to pursue his educational goals. Our players and staff are excited about the news of bringing Jimmy back into the Grizzly family."
UM President George M. Dennison said, "The legal system has run its course, and we agree with the outcome that was achieved. We relish this opportunity to help this student-athlete get his life back on track with an education at The University of Montana."
Dang, this IS big news! When I heard of the 'not guilty' verdict I thought he should get a second chance at school and football. It was mighty big of our university and the NCAA to give him that chance. There are many who won't support this decision and some who didn't think he should have been recruited in the first place. I believe he has learned and grown a lot these past four years and will represent himself, our school and our team very well. Welcome back, Jimmy!
:shock: WOW!!! Didn't see this coming (rejoining the Griz). BUT I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY! I am all about 2nd chances and redemption, I wish Jimmy Wilson nothing but huge success...
GO JIMMY AND GO GRIZ :clap:
GO JIMMY AND GO GRIZ :clap:
djollieballs
Well-known member
Where's Q-Free and the gang at these days? They still in prison or will the crew be setting shop back up in Zoo Town? I don't think this is what people had in mind when they heard coach Pflu was "getting the band back together".
Isn't our administration worried about Jimmy being a negative influence? Did they forget that many of his friends on the team ended up being charged with felonies? He brought SO much negative press to the school. They're going to allow him to be around our impressionable young players, some of which have already been in some trouble?
If Wilson gets a parking ticket it will make national news. THIS story is going to make national news.
I hope you guys know that many of the people that Jimmy and his crew used to antagonize downtown are still in Missoula. Not only that, but the kind of people that go out downtown has changed drasticlly in the last few years. Jimmy isn't the only tough guy in town anymore. How is Jimmy going to react to being taunted/cornered downtown by those dudes?
UM is about to get A LOT more free press.........
Isn't our administration worried about Jimmy being a negative influence? Did they forget that many of his friends on the team ended up being charged with felonies? He brought SO much negative press to the school. They're going to allow him to be around our impressionable young players, some of which have already been in some trouble?
If Wilson gets a parking ticket it will make national news. THIS story is going to make national news.
I hope you guys know that many of the people that Jimmy and his crew used to antagonize downtown are still in Missoula. Not only that, but the kind of people that go out downtown has changed drasticlly in the last few years. Jimmy isn't the only tough guy in town anymore. How is Jimmy going to react to being taunted/cornered downtown by those dudes?
UM is about to get A LOT more free press.........
djollieballs said:
Maybe Jimmy has a new perspective about life, freedom, and a second chance. Maybe Jimmy
will not go downtown and mix with the same ole' downtown dudes. From the sounds of it, you must have been one of those antagonistic downtowners.
Good luck Jimmy. Don't get any parking tickets.
Baller1
Well-known member
not sure why djollie is getting flamed on this one. Those are all legitimate concerns. Missoulians have not forgotten what a scary, aggressive guy Jimmy was. I would think though that the coaches would strongly advise Jimmy to NOT go downtown and that his roster spot is riding on him following that rule. I personally think this is a horrible move by UM. I would be all for Jimmy playing football again, just not at UM. I just feel like to many bridges have been burned in Missoula.
djollieballs said:
I'm sure this news will give a ...FEW........ample canon fodder to really put their negative spin on this whole situation..Funny how some things will never change..
I'm sure that if the same thing happened to one of my relatives with an unruly df boyfriend.....That I'd STILL be in prison...or dead at this point.....just saying...Try walking in someone Else's shoes.
Maybe it's a good thing that there will be a whole lot more press about this, because they way I see it, most of the country still believes he murdered the dude......Let the word out!
