Everybody's Doing It!: A Torch for Men

I guess I could get a whole lot of comments if I chose to stridently voice my opinions on UGA's athletic director. I have lots of opinions, too.

But I guess that's why I like having a Blog. I can challenge my own ideas and find new lines of thought, new avenues of expression.

I noticed with interest that Evans reportedly used a line with the arresting officer. In essence, he said, "But, everybody's doing it!"

Familiar retort. That was his defense and the response (or the associated, "But everyone's done it!") of many who argue that Evans should be kept in position.

The overused excuse didn't work with the police and it may not work with President Adams. If Evans is dismissed and he chooses to contest the decision, perhaps that will be the core element of his attorney's closing argument to the jury.

But here's my point-- we all know what Evans has done. It's on all the Blogs. Everyone who follows sports in the SEC is aware. His very unflattering picture has been on countless web sites. Even photo-shopped for comedic effect.

But how about us?

"Everybody's doing it" is often used as a defense. I think it's much more valuable as a torch of introspection.

How are we doing? Are there areas of compromise in our lives? Are we as husbands lying to our wives so we can sneak out and scurry through the shadows? Where were we this past Wednesday night? Where will we be tonight? Do we have habits that might lead to destructive results?

Are we doing it, whatever it is? If so, what are we doing about it? Are we doing all we can to do all we can? Do we have speed bumps on our private roads of passion? Keep Out signs on dangerous web sites, office doors, and night clubs?

As we shine the light on our own souls, we should also hold it up a bit so that we can see around us some. Do we have relationships with other men that hold us accountable? If we feel like stepping out on our spouses, who would we tell? Do we have friends who can handle that kind of cell phone call? Guys who know me best and still love me? Someone who will put an arm around me and tell I'm an idiot, while seriously warning me so that my picture doesn't end up in the AJC? If my will is strong, is there one buddy who will run to my side and sit with me until the anger at my spouse, or the feeling of disappointment, or the flames of desire die down?

I wonder if Damon Evans has friends that will validate him as a person, whether or not he keeps his job or his marriage? Someone who cares not one iota whether Evans is the athletic director of a major college or the janitor who cleans up the stadium?

To whom would you go after the news broke? When the tears of regret come, is there a shoulder to cry on? Not some woman, but a man who will clasp you in a bearhug and not let go? Hopefully, there is a face that just flashed in your mind, bringing a smile and a sense of thankfulness to your heart.

Everybody's doing it may signal hope. It's not a shield that keeps us living in separation and irresponsibility. I like to think of it as that torch of introspection, and when joined together with other men who carry the same flame, it becomes a bonfire. The knowledge of our mutual weaknesses should cause us to emerge out of the darkness.

This is dangerous living. The shadows seem so comforting. Not everyone can manage our stuff. But it is the shadows that are the real danger. The bonfire is the warmth, the protection, the opportunity for life that we all long for. It's the glint from that fire, I believe, that makes us men love sports.

We need to really talk, guys. Relate as men. Dare to be vulnerable. Let's be warned so that we don't lose what is truly valuable. And be warmed by a community of men that care for each other.

Evans Arrested

On the bright side, the arrest probably saved his life. Unfortunately, it has been and will continue to be a huge embarassment to the University.

Some things done during off-work hours do affect your job. I don't have all the facts, and I suppose the legal process will take its course.

I have no joy in seeing people lose their jobs, but I can't see how he possibly stays in position at Georgia.

I Have Given Up. You Have, Too.

Well, folks, I didn't think we could play any worse than we did against Vanderbilt. But lo and behold, we are doing just that.

Got home from church and checked the score. Ughh. Not even going to turn the t.v. on.

As of right now, Georgia is shooting less than 30% from the floor, less than 10% from behind the arc, and right at 30% from the line. Kentucky is good, but they're not so good that they can defend us from the free throw line.

I entitled the recap from the Vandy game, "We Stink." I was going to call today's game against Kentucky, "We Stink, Part Deux," but my feeling today is not so much disgust, but rather, resignation.

At least at Vanderbilt, you could blame poor performance on Vandy's oddly designed gym. We shot right at 40% there and 0% from the line. We attempted free throws just twice, so that is some explanation for the foul line statistic. But when we scored 40 points total for the entire game, it's hard to come up with a conclusion, other than just saying, we are a bad basketball team.

Well, against Kentucky, the stats are even worse. As I write, we're stuck at 36 points, with just a couple of minutes to go.

No excuses can be made.

Georgia is 0 and 3 in the SEC, in firm possession of last place. We have lost 5 or 6 games in a row. We are 9 and 9 on the year with just one quality win, the 1-point victory at home at Virginia Tech. In my opinion, maybe we shouldn't even count the Virginia Tech game as a true quality win, since in my opinion, Albert Jackson walked before he put in Georgia's last basket.

Georgia is so bad, in fact, that I wouldn't be surprised if we finished the year with no SEC wins.

Anything can happen, but the practical reality is that there will be no miracle run this year. No SEC Tournament championship. And as much as I hate to say it, no saving Felton's job.

I like Felton's efforts. He works hard at his job. Goes at recruiting in the right way. No cheating. No summer coaching jobs or questionable payments to relatives of recruits. I like Felton's focus on academics, on toughness and on doing the right thing. I even appreciate his efforts to get the Lettermen together. I really, really wanted him to be successful.

But the facts remain that we missed out on Derrick Favors, perhaps the best recruit from Georgia in 10 years. UGA has a less than stellar signing class for fall 2009, and we are going down fast in this season's performance.

There's no joy in saying this, but as athletic director, Damon Evans doesn't have much choice. The influential fans and donors will demand it, and we will be starting over with Georgia basketball, perhaps sooner, rather than later.

Damon Evans wants to win

I was surprised by Evans and his focus on basketball. He really wants to win.

The support from the top is critical for Georgia to make the next move toward a successful basketball program. Now the coaching staff has to translate Evans' good will, commitment, and high expectations, into energy. Coaches Felton, Jones, and Herrmann must do the tough work during the off-season, molding a team that is still very young, having just one senior and one junior, and making them a cohesive playing unit.

The good news is that although the team is not long on experience, it is growing in ability. Just compare the squad that Felton had in his second year to the team that he has now. Felton has some good pieces to work with. We're getting better, and just in time, too, because everyone else in the SEC is upgrading their talent. There will be no easy learning curve for UGA's 5 freshmen and 4 sophomores.

Evans has shown that he is willing to commit the dollars to basketball. We have upgraded facilities, and there is more coming. Maybe not a new arena, but enough of an investment that Coach Felton, possible recruits and the fan base will see that our athletics director is very serious.

Florida has done it. UT has done it. Georgia has improved in talent and facilties. We won the SEC Tournament. But the question remains: Can UGA be very, very successful at both football and basketball?

Evans wants to win. I can't wait to see how the team responds.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/uga/entries/2008/08/13/ugas_evans_comp.html