FOX 9 News Gopher Hockey / Underage Drinking Story

[packerboy]

FreeAgent, people that are in the public eye and break the law get targeted. It may not be fair but it is a reality that these guys should be aware of. <br><br>As far as punishment goes, its hard to have an opinion without knowing what the rules are and what the players have been told.<br> <br>If you play(ed) high school sports , its a real easy issue. The players are given the rules and sign a contract that they know the rules and what the punishment is for violations. <br><br>I dont know what these guys have been told. <p></p><i></i>

[elliott70]

I spoke with a couple of different college coaches in hockey and different sports. They do not recall NCAA rules against drinking per se. Drugs, grades etc.... yes but nothing on drinking. Their team rules did not specify drinking but rather to do the right thing...<br><br>As for breaking the law, I would believe it would be a fine and maybe an alcohol awareness class.<br><br>If the U hockey team has a specific rule against underage drinking then it should follow the punsihment outlined within. If not then a game suspension would be adequate. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

have there been any comments on there suspension if any....??? <p></p><i></i>

[scottparker]

So this is kind of like a weekend sweep? (Swept under the rug is more like it...)<br><br>Not really unexpected, is it? <br><br>Shame on the way 9 News did this.<br><br>Shame on the U of M sweeping it away..<br><br>OK, back to regular hockey. I think that by the end of the season the Gophs will be there!! <p></p><i></i>

[puckhead89]

Sweeping under the rug is surely correct. <br><br>I am not a proponent of the way the U handled this at all. To hear that every other college athlete does this therefore it makes it ok...well nope....not. Take a stand U of M...state it isn't ok to drink under the legal age and particularily when you have a school uniform that you will be wearing. Just because it isn't a popular position to take doesn't mean it shouldn't be taken. <br><br>And you are right scottparker, the Gophers will likely find their "chemistry" by the end of the year....one way or the other....heh. <p></p><i></i>

[PuckRanger]

From the <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.gopherpucklive.com/" target="top">Gopher Puck Live</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> website:<br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Statement from Jordan Leopold, Calgary Flames<br>In regards to the comments on Minneapolis/St. Paul Fox-9 News:<br><br>"Unfortunately my mother Lynn Leopold and I have not had any sort of relationship for several years. It's a difficult situation but one that my wife, along with my extended family has had to deal with for many years. Her comments in no way should reflect the Gopher Hockey program, and I am disappointed she was afforded an opportunity on Fox-9 News."<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>There is another story there that goes on to tell how Jordan hasn't been in contact with his mother for over 6 years and how he has even had to file a restraining order on her in the past. It also goes on to say that Jordan Leopold and Keith Ballard have instructed their PR people with the Flames and Coyotes to turn down any interview requests with Fox 9. Not just related to this story, but for anything!<br><br>As to the way the University of Minnesota handled the situation, I give them an A+. It was handled internally, not publicly. There were measures taken, its just that you nor I will never know about them.<br><br>Also, last Monday night, Jimmy Kimmel did a piece about this story on Jimmy Kimmel Live, making a mockery of FOX 9 news for nearly a minute in his monologue. I'm sure many people missed it because it was on extrememly late due to the Monday Night Football game, which is too bad, because it was pretty darn funny!<br><br>I find it extremely hard to take sides with puckhead89. This is not a major problem in our society. There's far more pressing issues that need to be dealt with. It would be a far different story if these kids were in high school, or if they were filmed stumbling into their cars and driving off... <p></p><i></i>

[puckhead89]

Puckranger, I am not looking for anybody to take "my" side. These posts are about opinions and we all give them. I personally like to hear sides different from my own, because I can always take away something from a well written post, whether I agree with it or not. <br><br>As to Leopold's mother, it was channel 5 that broadcast her story, not 9.....seems every news source gets something wrong, doesn't it? Channel 5 should be chastised as well as 9 for airing an unreliable source...but I have heard nothing about that error from anyone.<br><br>Lastly, when a coach/university says they are handling things internally, most people understand that means they are handling each case on an individual by individual basis....I am not sure that is anything that should make any of us take a sigh of relief that the right thing (or anything) is being done. <p></p><i></i>