There's no redshirt for stupidity. Not that Eric Devendorf would have that option after a medical redshirt from last year's ACL tear. The redshirt junior was suspended by the Syracuse University judicial review board for the academic year.Devendorf had an altercation in December with a female student and apparently struck her. Devendorf denied striking her, claiming instead it was self-defense. Of course, his teammate Justin Thomas kind of hurt that case as he texted the victim several times on behalf of Devendorf the day after the incident:
Sent 12:32 a.m. Nov. 2: "yo kim thanks for taking the time 2 talk 2 me ... i appreciate it ... and i hope u can find it in ur heart to forgive my teammates thanks"That, kind of, sort of makes it difficult to claim that nothing happened. Something happened, and Devendorf and his teammates were concerned enough to look to quietly resolve it.
Sent 1:51 p.m. Nov. 2: "XXX ... this is coach boheim number if u or ur family wants 2 call ... and thanks for listening"
Sent 4:56 p.m. Nov. 2: "hey kim its me again ... i just letting u know that i just got out of practice and eric was pretty animate at wanting 2 apologize 2 u and ur family himself but i didn't know if u wanted 2 hear from him so im asking u now if that's ok?"
Still, there were no criminal charges out of this, and under other circumstances this might have ended with probation or some minor punishment from the judicial board. The problem was that Devendorf was already on probation for "harming" another student last spring.
The decision by the board states Devendorf didn't take seriously his probation from his past offense.Way to think this through. Already on probation for his behavior, the best thing to do is to act like there is no cumulative effect. Any authority or power loves that.
"Accordingly, the Board concludes that an extension of (Devendorf's) current probation status would inadequately address (his) conduct," the board ruled.
When a student is on disciplinary probation for a violation, the judicial handbook states, "further violations may result in immediate suspension, indefinite suspension, or expulsion from the university."
Devendorf is appealing the suspension, and can practice with the team and play until the appeal is decided. At the very least he gets to play against Long Beach State this weekend. He is the third leading scorer on the Syracuse team with just over 14 points per game. The overall outlook for the rest of Devendorf's season, though, is not promising.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
great, there goes our season again!
Wow. Syracuse seems to have a rain cloud stuck over it. Bad karma.
If the student court ruled for suspension they must have heard from the girl so what they say is binding. He's a student & community member first and a bball player second. However, can't he take some anger management classes so he can play? Monitor him 24/7 like an addict should be watched so he can be a model citizen...and shooting guard. Isn't it 3 strikes your out?
Violence is violence, Obviously this guy needs more than anger mgmt. 2nd incident? lets not wait for a 3rd throw the bum out.
He deserves no leniency
You should have read the Syracuse papers before writing this article.....she got in his face and he pushed her away...open hand. Her stories conflict...the three witnesses were teammates, but they testified before the district attorney that he pushed her with an open hand. He should have walked away, but this is another case of groupies wanting to crucify athletes. What in hell atre these guys doing out at 3:00AM???
Another case of a groupie hounding athletes? Ummm, they approached her car first, they initiated the incident, not her. And she was friends with most of the players on the team, and a fellow student, something tells me wasn't some groupie looking to gain from the incident. I'm sure she was just as upset the entire ordeal happened as Eric and his teammates were.
As big as this a--hole is there is no excuse for touching a woman.
Sooner or later people will get back to being responsible for their actions. There are consequences. What a jerk!
I wish coaches and ADs would realize that athletic skills and academic ability are not mutually exclusive. They don't have to recruit idiots to play. Perhaps the NCAA should tie teh number of atheletic scholarships a school can give to the graduation rate.
big man why don't you come smack me and see what happens
I feel bad for S.U basketball but Eric had it coming to him especially after i had a run in with him at a downtown syr. bar at 1am in the morning when he was 19?He was hitting on my wife and when i stopped him, he flipped out and had to be escorted out by his teammates.
walk away dummy!!!
Done for the year in "thuggish" fashion. What a selfish prick, we actually had a great shot to make a run in March. Thanks wigger.
what would make him strike a girl in the first place? obviously being on probation for a similar assault,and missing a full season for injury,did nothing for his common sense. Yes, I like Eric,s basketball play ,and he will be missed ,but he,s not 5yrs-old,the age you learn not to hit girls.Send the bum back to the streets,there are alot of kid,s who would love being in his position,and would oblige by the rules. s.u. can do wiyhout you,Eric!!!
BYE ERIC U NEED TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP UR HANDS TO UR SELF BYE U WOMAN BEATER IF THINGS R TRUE
That board really got upset over a small deal, eh?
Spoke to someone who knew Eric from the YMCA. Said his temper is dangerous. He's a wanna be that will never be. Hitting girls. Your parents must be proud!