Fair Play: Message sending failed
THERE are so many ways to settle a conflict.
What Southwestern University athletic director Ryan Aznar did wasn’t one of them.
Three players from SWU were suspended for playing in another event. Aznar thought they shouldn’t be.
SWU was eliminated by the University of San Carlos in the Cesafi basketball tournament but got an extended season after Warriors captain Paul Joven was penalized for playing in another event.
The three SWU players also played in another event, after they were eliminated, but still got suspended.
“What did my players do wrong?” Aznar asked.
According to Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, they violated the rule on not playing in other events while the Cesafi season is ongoing.
Aznar countered, the SWU season was over, they should be excused.
Tiukinhoy countered SWU’s season may be over, the Cesafi season is not.
But like the case of the volleyball coaches, that point—which could have been still open for debate—is now moot.
It’s been overtaken by a whole set of circumstances.
Instead of being part of the solution, Aznar became the problem.
As a tournament manager for volleyball, Aznar should know that the Cesafi commissioner had to investigate the allegations against his players since it was reported by those involved in Cesafi basketball.
If it was Aznar who reported the violations and Cesafi did nothing, would he be happy?
As the school athletic director, Aznar should have protected his players, not put them in a situation that would jeopardize their careers.
Or has Aznar not learned the lesson from the case of the volleyball coaches who are now banned for life?
The coaches countered a perceived wrong with an open act of defiance, walking out of their semifinal matches.
Aznar countered a perceived wrong with his own open act of defiance, fielding the three suspended players.
The three volleyball coaches said they wanted to send a message.
Aznar said he too wants to send a message but used as the sacrificial lamb his players and coach.
All this message sending is forcing the hand of Cesafi.
SWU had a do-or-die game with USC on Oct. 13 and instead of pulling a stinky rabbit out of his hat, Aznar could have asked the game be moved a day or two later and requested an audience with the commissioner, or even with the board.
He could have relayed his message there.
USC team captain Paul Joven was brave enough to do that.
Aznar could have done that, instead of acting like a petulant teenager.
His braggadocio last Tuesday only aggravated the situation.
Instead of a suspension, Eliud Poligrates got a lifetime ban.
It’s too harsh.
Yes, Poligrates made a mistake. He aggravated it by lying.
But this was one case where the Cesafi could have been lenient.
Poligrates’ deed could have been excusable.
Aznar’s wasn’t.
Before the Cesafi board could entertain thoughts on forgiving the three players, Aznar drew the line.
Would the other 11 Cesafi members let him get away with it?
Or will they too, draw the line?
What Southwestern University athletic director Ryan Aznar did wasn’t one of them.
Three players from SWU were suspended for playing in another event. Aznar thought they shouldn’t be.
SWU was eliminated by the University of San Carlos in the Cesafi basketball tournament but got an extended season after Warriors captain Paul Joven was penalized for playing in another event.
The three SWU players also played in another event, after they were eliminated, but still got suspended.
“What did my players do wrong?” Aznar asked.
According to Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, they violated the rule on not playing in other events while the Cesafi season is ongoing.
Aznar countered, the SWU season was over, they should be excused.
Tiukinhoy countered SWU’s season may be over, the Cesafi season is not.
But like the case of the volleyball coaches, that point—which could have been still open for debate—is now moot.
It’s been overtaken by a whole set of circumstances.
Instead of being part of the solution, Aznar became the problem.
As a tournament manager for volleyball, Aznar should know that the Cesafi commissioner had to investigate the allegations against his players since it was reported by those involved in Cesafi basketball.
If it was Aznar who reported the violations and Cesafi did nothing, would he be happy?
As the school athletic director, Aznar should have protected his players, not put them in a situation that would jeopardize their careers.
Or has Aznar not learned the lesson from the case of the volleyball coaches who are now banned for life?
The coaches countered a perceived wrong with an open act of defiance, walking out of their semifinal matches.
Aznar countered a perceived wrong with his own open act of defiance, fielding the three suspended players.
The three volleyball coaches said they wanted to send a message.
Aznar said he too wants to send a message but used as the sacrificial lamb his players and coach.
All this message sending is forcing the hand of Cesafi.
SWU had a do-or-die game with USC on Oct. 13 and instead of pulling a stinky rabbit out of his hat, Aznar could have asked the game be moved a day or two later and requested an audience with the commissioner, or even with the board.
He could have relayed his message there.
USC team captain Paul Joven was brave enough to do that.
Aznar could have done that, instead of acting like a petulant teenager.
His braggadocio last Tuesday only aggravated the situation.
Instead of a suspension, Eliud Poligrates got a lifetime ban.
It’s too harsh.
Yes, Poligrates made a mistake. He aggravated it by lying.
But this was one case where the Cesafi could have been lenient.
Poligrates’ deed could have been excusable.
Aznar’s wasn’t.
Before the Cesafi board could entertain thoughts on forgiving the three players, Aznar drew the line.
Would the other 11 Cesafi members let him get away with it?
Or will they too, draw the line?
Comments