FOX 9 News Gopher Hockey / Underage Drinking Story

PuckRanger · Post by **PuckRanger** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:19 am

Did anyone catch the story on Fox9 News in Minneapolis about the 8 underage players in a bar, 5 of which they caught on tape with a hidden camera drinking? Is this really news? Underage college kids drinking? What a shock! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> They hyped this story up like it was another Viking "Love Boat" scandal. What shocked me was they spent 6 weeks investigating this... 6 WEEKS, over 50 hours of "hidden camera" video... just to catch 5 kids drinking underage. Why on earth they singled out the hockey players is beyond me. I guarantee there were at least a dozen other underage kids in there at any given time that went unchecked. If they truly were in this for the good of the community (ha, ha, yeah, I know that's funny<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> ), they should've have notified the bar owner, the police, and the university and put a stop to it, instead of using a micro-sized camera and undercover disguises to exploit it.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> They should be charged with contributing to minors in my opinion. Not only that, these are are 18 - 20 year old kids, not professional athletes. I say WHAT, KMSP? You call this journalism? Oohhh yaaah, that's right... its sweeps week. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> Here's the link to the story: <a href="http://www.kmsp.com/news/investigators/ ...  Here's a link I used to tell FOX9 News what I thought of thier "investigation" into this blockbuster <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> story: <a href="http://www.kmsp.com/features/contactus/ ...  Whoever is in charge of that investigation oughta be fired. You can go onto any campus and find a bar with underage college athletes drinking and you don't need send a team of geniuses for six weeks with a hidden camera to film 50 hours of footage to prove it. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes">

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:51 am

I feel sorry for these young men as it appears they were targeted to prove a point. But society has deemed 21 the proper age to drink and, if there is proof, then htey are guilty and need to be prosecuted and sentenced just like anyone else. If they have broken NCAA and tema rules they need to be punished. The problem is society's (all of us). We need to establish the rule and then enforce the rule. Kids get drunk at Frat houses, fall in the river and drown. Not very often, but the peer pressure is there to cause kids to behave irrationally. There needs to be an answer and we need to find it and make it work. For 18 - 20 year olds kids nt to drink does not seem to be the proper answer becasue everyone knows most kids this age do drink. But if you let them drink then it becomes easier and more tolerable for the next younger group to drink. If anything, this report shows that we are all at fault and we all need to deal with it.

scottparker · Post by **scottparker** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 6:19 am

I would also ask why they targeted the hockey team. Don't you suppose that there are more football players breaking these rules only because there are more football players? What about basketball players, and women athletes? For some reason the hockey team is being rail-roaded. I don't think that the school should sweep this under the rug, and perhaps they should investigate all of the teams. (Like they could sweep it under the rug now...) However, they need to find out why only the hockey team... I would hazard a guess that every team in the nation has this issue, as does every sport.. it's too bad that they chose this way to show it.

DoRight101 · Post by **DoRight101** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 8:40 am

I think the hockey players are being targeted because someone standing in line to get into the bar got upset that the underage kids were being let in without being carded. The bouncer who knowingly let them in was also caught on tape--I suspect he's going to be in as much trouble as some of these players. I also agree that a law is a law, and while we all know underage drinking occurs, the laws are there for a reason.

hillhockey · Post by **hillhockey** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:43 am

Maybe they should relower the age to 18? (But require a college ID or something to lessen the chance of high schoolers being able to get alcohol (which is why its 21 to begin with) The FR on my floor told me that when the drinking age was 18, there was less of a problem b/c the students didnt have to hide the fact that they were drinking, and they did so in moderation (In the dorms anyway)

puckhead89 · Post by **puckhead89** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:03 pm

First, I don't think lowering the drinking age is necessarily the answer particularily when we speak of Division 1 athletes. They are in training after all and I don't believe alcohol is accepted during training or during the season.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> NCAA would still have it's rules, I suspect, so likely not a huge change for college athletes, since that is what this topic is about. Fox news has always been sensationalist type coverage. However, I believe on the news cast last night they stated they did contact the university and received the typical text book response, which they shared in part with the viewers watching last night. I thought they said they contacted the coaching staff too, but then continued to tape the kids...at least that is my understanding. As to the bar owner, he will suffer quite large consequences from this I assume. He will be under close scruitiny from here on out because they are known for under age serving. I am sure his liquor license will be in jeapordy and if not, certainly the "cop watch" will deter what likely were his regular customers. I agree that society has created this animal to an extent. However, I am one of those old "a rule is a rule" type of guys. Consequences will need to be paid by all involved. As to other sports, remember when Gophers men's basketball had their run in about "cheating".....well, looks like it is the hockey team's turn....likely because of this story all sports will be looked into. But I too wish it had not been the hockey team that was caught. Wonder if this is one reason Frazee didn't look as sharp on Saturday night?

frozensi · Post by **frozensi** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:17 pm

This was channel 9's version of trying to dig up some dirt because they weren't the first ones in the garbage dumpster finding the Vikings love boat notes. This station is nothing more then a glorified National Enquirer. Come on, Jeff Passolt you never had a drink before your 21st b-day? Give me a break, the reporter who does these investigations for the stations, and then try's to get reactions from the suspected individual's when he sticks a camera in there face.... I hope gets his clock cleaned someday by someone.... now that would be a worth airing!!

scottparker · Post by **scottparker** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:22 pm

I would add that these kids coming into college sports need to have some real education about how to handle themselves, how to respond in situations, and what is expected of them out in the real world. They boys that they tried to get to respond to them outside of the arena did a good job of not responding when provoked, but they still need to be better trained. I too would love to see someone clean this guys clock. But not on-camera, and not by one of the hockey players... (You probably won't see them around these boys for a while anyway.

puckhead89 · Post by **puckhead89** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:33 pm

I completely disagree that the athletes who were asked questions on tape did a "good job"...all but one out and out lied about being there and drinking. Whichever player it was that continued to walk away from the camera and made no attempt to answer any question is the ONLY Gopher who handled himself "well" under the circumstances. But I do agree that the athletes appear to need more training on how to handle themselves....not saying they aren't getting it from the coaching staff and university, so maybe the athletes need to hone their listening skills.

slapshotbg · Post by **slapshotbg** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:03 pm

"They are in training after all and I don't believe alcohol is accepted during training or during the season"... i am pretty sure the players of age are told to keep it in moderation.... not stone cold sober. If you think that this does not go on at every single school and in every single sport that you are kidding yourself. I would say that 90-96% of underage student athletes consume alcohol. I dont know what you think but after a big game everyone on teams usually goes out.

iblade06 · Post by **iblade06** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:22 pm

was fox also the one's who taped the state hockey tournament? i beleive this is a shame too, fox with what little credibility they had just lost it all, this is a negative publicty store that i think will backfire and cause them to loose some of their core advertisers

puckhead89 · Post by **puckhead89** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:36 pm

Well duh slapshotbg.....players of age are a totally different animal than those who are under age. That is actually what makes hockey somewhat of an unusual activity in college sports and probably why they have been left alone...Division 1 players are usually older than the average bear. "I would say that 90-96% of underage student athletes consume alcohol." Well slapshotbg, I think that is high....even for collegiate. I agree Fox is going to take heat from this too. They aren't known for the highest caliber of news afterall. .

Zamman · Post by **Zamman** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:45 pm

The big issue here is the bar owners and managers who are letting these players in underage. They are taking the celebrity status of these players and using them as a way to attract people to the bar. On the campus these kids are the money makers for the college. Most of these boys played at the USNDT and probably had no trouble getting booze. I do not know this for fact, but hey they were High School players and all high school kids get a drink once in a while. What needs to be looked at from the team and college point of view is "is there a drinking problem", and what do they do. I see some suspension from the team and some counseling as options. But in the real world, all the teams and players and students are off getting boozed up. That is college life. ________________________________ Academy of Holy Angels 2005 GIRLS STATE CHAMPS! 2002 & 2005 BOYS STATE CHAMPS!! GO STARS!!

Mustanger0034 · Post by **Mustanger0034** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:56 pm

im sorry, but anyone who isnt on the players side here has to be nuts, when was the last time you saw a college scene without drinking? and for fox to target half a dozen players and call them out by name is ridiculous. They could have just gone down to a bar and claimed they saw underage drinking and we should do something about it. Absolutely no need to shaft these guys' hockey careers by calling them out, knowing they would get in trouble and making them sit out (they better not have to). fox sucks

FreeAGENT · Post by **FreeAGENT** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:13 pm

We are all at fault? Give me a break. This is no moral sewer our society is going through. This is no epic issue in regards to collegiate athleticism. This is nothing that affects any of the peers, customers, or citizens on the road. Laws are in place for a reason. That is not to enforce them, but to protect and bind our nation with them. What problem were they really causing? Benounced to me, having a few beers is nothing worth fretting over. These boys are part of humanity. A simple social activity that is common in college, throughout the world, and throughout history. No one is being drowned here. The footage is merely a stunt pulled to make some money off the media. Which brings up another point. Which is more sad in our society. Legal adults having an illegal drink? Or the fact that the media wants to ruin the Gopher's season, the team chemistry, and the athlete's college careers in order to make a buck? Give me a break. The only problem in this society is the press. They're what's eating away our acceptive values. Shift the focus people. Wake up. Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... eeAGENT</A> at: 11/7/05 10:15 pm

LloydBraun · Post by **LloydBraun** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:42 am

Anyone know how to go about gettin a video of this news report, i am in a news media class and we study ethics in news and my professor would like to see the tape.

Zamman · Post by **Zamman** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:04 am

The story was probably something else, like the bar admitting underage drinkers. The Gophers were just more than likely the ones in the bar, and they changed the subject. If these boys wanted a drink why not just go to someones house? No one is trying to ruin the season. No there is nothing wrong with someone having a few beers, but they are underaged and they are breaking the law. I am a huge Gopher fan, I bleed Maroon and Gold and do not want anything bad to happen to the team, but someone needs to stop this before it gets out of hand. ________________________________ Academy of Holy Angels 2005 GIRLS STATE CHAMPS! 2002 & 2005 BOYS STATE CHAMPS!! GO STARS!!

puckhead89 · Post by **puckhead89** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:26 am

FreeAgent quote: "Which is more sad in our society? Legal adults having an illegal drink? or the fact that the media wants to run the Gophers season...." This story is about MINORS on the team, not LEGAL ADULTS on the team having a drink. Old enough to vote but still considered a MINOR when alcohol consumption laws are put into play. Please people, keep this story straight. The athletes caught on tape were 18, 19 and 20 years old. This isn't legal in Minnesota. That is the story line, together with the fact that the bar owner may be using celebrity status of these athletes to put some business in his pocket. Again, while drinking probably goes on, do we really have to dismiss this as "just another party"...I don't think so. These young athletes made a choice too, not the least of which was choosing to drink in a public place....now they have to pay the consequences for their stupid, stupid choice. Lucia better get busy with damage control now...on and off the ice. The officers and lawyers will give due justice to the stupid, stupid bar owner. Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... khead89</A> at: 11/8/05 8:30 am

Knowlze · Post by **Knowlze** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:40 am

First of all, FOX is not to blame. I commend them for taking on this subject. With the popularity of this team in this town, it would be very easy to ignore this situation. Secondly, the players have themselves to blame. They made the wrong choice. It is not the fault of society, the media, coaches, Public Relations trainers, the university, alcohol, or anyone/anything else. Wrong is wrong. The bar owner is in trouble, because in present day "not my fault" society, it has become his responsibility to not only run a business, but also screen and monitor their customers. Obviously, they failed in their second part of responsibility. Most interesting will be how the coaching staff responds. Will they look for someone/something to blame, as most posters on this thread; or will the perpetrators be held responsible for their actions. We will see an example if sports build character, or not.

puckhead89 · Post by **puckhead89** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:34 pm

Just so that you are aware, FOX received a "tip" that this activity was going on. The report is that the University received the same tip, but BEFORE FOX did. It is too bad that it appears FOX acted more quickly than the University, isn't it?

You Puck · Post by **You Puck** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:42 pm

thats the problem with our society today, nobody is willing to accept blame for their own actions. dont try to blame anyone else, its not like the anyone forced them to go into the bar.

Thornewolf · Post by **Thornewolf** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:55 pm

You're dead on You Puck. Personal responsibility is a thing of the past. Fox News (who I am not a fan of by any stretch of the imagination) does an undercover investigation and finds these players breaking the law, and Fox News is to blame? FOX News even goes so far as to note when they DON'T have conclusive evidence that an athlete is actually drinking an alcoholic beverage. They're hockey players albeit good ones, not gods. Why should everyone else have to follow the rules but they don't? If you're going to drink underage, fine but then accept the consequences and stop whining. If you think that someone at Fox should be fired for reporting this story I suggest you point your energies elsewhere, say towards getting the drinking age lowered. Personally I don't have a whole lot problems with the drinking age being lowered. I think that if you can die for your country in a war, you should be able to have a cold beer. However until the law changes, what the players did was wrong and they should be punished for it by the NCAA and/or Lucia.

hockeypuck02 · Post by **hockeypuck02** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:16 pm

I think the problem that most people have is with the way Fox9 ran the story. I guarantee you that hockey players at the U aren't the only student athletes that drink underage, and I guarantee you it happens at almost every other college/university across the country. Instead of unfairly targeting a handful of hockey players, Fox9 should have done an investigation of all student athletes drinking underage at the U. Or they could have done a story on the huge problem of underage drinking in society today as a whole. The underage players shouldn't have been breaking the law, but for Fox9 to target just a small handful of players when the problem is really MUCH more widespread, is unfair and uncalled for. The whole thing could have been handled much more professionally and responsibly.

shutout · Post by **shutout** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:49 pm

I do not like the way Fox 9 waited until sweeps week so they could get big ratings at the players expense. But I also think it is good that the bar owner is going to fry for contributing to the use of alchohol by minors. I have mixed feeling regarding the athletes, I think that high profile athletes are led to believe that they are "above the law" and if it is not taken care of early they often get into more serious issues then having a few drinks at a bar. I also think that when they are given a scholarship they should be held to higher standards of ethics ( whether it is an athletic or academic scholarship) I will support any consequences that come from these players actions, as always it sounds like a few spoiled it for the rest.

sloppyice · Post by **sloppyice** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:17 pm

The activity by Fox is journalism at its worse. No longer can FOX claim an impartial view on any news story in my eyes. Instead of stalking and "almost baiting" the players. Why didn't FOX have the courtesy to approach the U, the coaching staff and the owner earlier in the process? Let them be proactive instead of reactive. If the players woudn't heed the warnings then they would be fair game. Eh, its better to make a buck and try to ruin a business and tarnish images of some college kids than do the correct thing! FOX SUCKS!

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FOX 9 News Gopher Hockey / Underage Drinking Story

FOX 9 News Gopher Hockey / Underage Drinking Story

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"Caught on Tape!"

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caught on tape

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fox.. go figure

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fox sucks

Wow, you've got to be KIDDING me.

Story

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Wrong is wrong!

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problem

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fox has no balls and no moral compass