South Boston News & Record
and Mecklenburg Sun |
Home •
News •
Sports •
Classifieds •
Community •
Health •
Entertainment •
Obituaries •
Opinions •
Weather
| Advertising | Contact | About Us | Register |
|
News National Academy members speak in Danville on uranium02/06/12 - 7:53 am
Comets win Poetry Out Loud02/06/12 - 7:51 am
Looking back at 112 years of Virgilina history02/06/12 - 7:48 am
Happy birthday, Virgilina! Few people know it, but the town will be 83 years old this February. According to the first town council minute book, Virgilina was incorporated and its…
Sports Comets fall to Patrick Henry02/07/12 - 9:43 am
Community
Opinion
A&E
- More A&E
|
Sports The Bennett waySoVaNow.com / March 08, 2010
By Jerry Ratcliffe Charlottesville Daily Progress Used with permission What an odd season this has been in Virginia basketball, particularly when it has come to personnel. From the early season academic suspensions of Assane Sene and Jamil Tucker - the former eventually dismissed for the entire campaign - to the disciplinary suspension of tri-captain Calvin Baker, to the latest development Saturday, the Cavaliers have learned one thing. It’s Tony Bennett’s way or the highway. This cat doesn’t mess around. A shockwave made its way around John Paul Jones Arena about a half hour before game time on Saturday when news broke that Virginia’s best player, sophomore Sylven Landesberg, had been suspended for the remainder of the season. Even the visiting Maryland team was stunned by the news. What was left of the Cavaliers deserved applause for an admirable effort against the ACC co-leading Terps, fighting back from a 14-point deficit to within a single point at the 1:39 mark, before bowing 74-68. Bennett also deserves applause for sticking to his principles. No exceptions, whether it’s a walk-on violating team policy or a star. Everyone gets the same treatment, everyone must adhere to the same rules. When some coaches might look the other way, Bennett rules with an iron fist no matter how much it hurts. “It was a hard decision [to dismiss Landesberg] because we know the value he brings to this team,” the Virginia coach said after his team’s ninth straight loss. “He is a good kid but there are some expectations and standards that he has to adhere to. It was a hard decision, but I hope that it helps.” Bennett went on to explain that even with an opportunity to perhaps upset Maryland, there were expectations and consequences for not meeting those expectations. When asked by this columnist if the expectations were those of the University of Virginia or specifically from Bennett’s own program, the coach said: “my program’s expectations.” One of those expectations is for players to attend class and that’s where Landesberg, who leads U.Va. in scoring, assists, and minutes played, got into trouble. According to sources, Landesberg messed up in only one class, a class that is graded on showing up and participation. One source said that Landesberg had not attended the class a single time. “Sylven has failed to live up to his academic obligations,” Bennett said. “It’s important for our current and future players to understand it’s a privilege to compete in the ACC and attend one of the finest institutions in the country. My hope is through this action, it will help Sylven and the other young men in our program understand the value of a degree from the University of Virginia and the opportunities it provides for life after basketball.” Landesberg, who did not attend the game, was not available for comment. His future status with the program is not known. “I really hope he will come back,” said teammate Will Sherrill. “He’s a great friend of mine, a great teammate, and I’m going to talk to him and try to pick his head up and do everything I can to try to get him to come back.” While the players were informed of Bennett’s decision at 10 a.m. on Saturday, just before their pre-game meals, it is believed the coach acted on his decision Thursday. “When he first got here, Coach Bennett told us his standards and said that if you don’t abide by these, I’m not going to yell and scream but I’m going to punish you and I believe that’s what happened,” said senior Jerome Meyinsee, an All-ACC Academic team member who led the Cavaliers with 17 points. Virginia played with pride on this Senior Day and made the Terps sweat to hold onto a share of first place in the league. For the Cavaliers, there’s little else to play for now as they finished ninth in the ACC and will likely face Boston College in the conference tournament on Thursday in Greensboro. They’ll show up starless and 17.3 points per game missing from their lineup, but assured that their coach cares about them and really means business. Bennett’s way is better than the highway. Halifax Sports
Mecklenburg Sports
|
Classifieds AUCTION 170 Acre Farm 6 Tracts & As A Whole! Near Farmville, VA. Saturday, June 26th 11:00AM. http://www.carwileauctions.com. (434)547-9100. VAAR392.
October8-9, 8AM-2PM each day. Rain will postpoane. Chase lounge, mens and ladies clothing, jewelry, kitchen appliances, rugs, and new winch. Hwy. 92 S. Junction Skipwith Rd. Chase City 372-3072.
Uncontested Divorce
$400.00 including filing fees Call to see if you qualify Phone Consultation FREE Debora Cress Embrey Attorney at Law P.O. Box 2177 Lynchburg, Virginia 24505 In Lynchburg, 434-528-3996 Elsewhere, 1-800-507-1339 Major credit cards… |
