Montell Marion

[Danny Burk]

We had a pretty interesting discussion going on last spring when Montell Marion was arrested and "permanently suspended" from the Iowa wrestling team. Iowa press reporter Andy Hamilton is reporting today that Montell has put in a request to re-join the Iowa wrestling team now that their semester is over.
What are some feelings on Iowa letting him back on the team?? I am kind of mixed about it - "permanently" has a definition, and if he gets back on the team, they are going against that definition. I am sure he has gone thru an extensive "change of lifestyle", but at the same time, he has done that a few times before as well. Thoughts?

[trunt67]

Originally Posted by Danny Burk

We had a pretty interesting discussion going on last spring when Montell Marion was arrested and "permanently suspended" from the Iowa wrestling team. Iowa press reporter Andy Hamilton is reporting today that Montell has put in a request to re-join the Iowa wrestling team now that their semester is over.
What are some feelings on Iowa letting him back on the team?? I am kind of mixed about it - "permanently" has a definition, and if he gets back on the team, they are going against that definition. I am sure he has gone thru an extensive "change of lifestyle", but at the same time, he has done that a few times before as well. Thoughts?

Just another example of how things are today...coaches and players alike speak about their teams as families and homes, only to jump ship for the next best thing merely weeks later...Few things in life are permanent... I.E. Brett Favre yesterday

[herrin wrestling]

What was his arrest for? was he convicted and punished by criminal system? too many questions to answer your question?

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Danny Burk

We had a pretty interesting discussion going on last spring when Montell Marion was arrested and "permanently suspended" from the Iowa wrestling team. Iowa press reporter Andy Hamilton is reporting today that Montell has put in a request to re-join the Iowa wrestling team now that their semester is over.
What are some feelings on Iowa letting him back on the team?? I am kind of mixed about it - "permanently" has a definition, and if he gets back on the team, they are going against that definition. I am sure he has gone thru an extensive "change of lifestyle", but at the same time, he has done that a few times before as well. Thoughts?

Maybe if Brands takes him back he may also magically change his mind and decide Iowa is now ready to compete in the duals?

Just a joke Danny.

[MR TWISTER]

I spoke with his Dad three days ago. It is a done deal. Iowa was waiting for the end of semester grades to be posted before the press official announcement.

He will be the 141 and little Ballweg (3 brothers on tean) will be blank out of luck even though he is undefeated. Since Marion is a finalist and AA he gets to pick his spot.

I knew it was not permanent. Brands did a lot to make sure he did not transfer out. They had a coach working with him the entire time. He could not practice with the team. He practiced with Metcalf most days.

[trunt67]

Originally Posted by MR TWISTER

I spoke with his Dad three days ago. It is a done deal. Iowa was waiting for the end of semester grades to be posted before the press official announcement.

He will be the 141 and little Ballweg (3 brothers on tean) will be blank out of luck even though he is undefeated. Since Marion is a finalist and AA he gets to pick his spot.

I knew it was not permanent. Brands did a lot to make sure he did not transfer out. They had a coach working with him the entire time. He could not practice with the team. He practiced with Metcalf most days.

Thanks for the info...doesn't sound like the coach/practice partner to go easy on him!!! I bet he (marion) looked like he wrestled a few matches...or brawls for that matter!

[sweetsweep22]

Originally Posted by MR TWISTER

He will be the 141 and little Ballweg (3 brothers on tean) will be blank out of luck even though he is undefeated. Since Marion is a finalist and AA he gets to pick his spot.

I'm kinda disappointed to hear this. This seems pretty selfish for him to go 141 and boot Ballweg out of his spot. 149 is by far Iowa's weakest weight and there is no way Ballweg is big enough to go 149, he's not even that big of a 141. Marion has the size/strength to go 149 and if he's been working out with Metcalf all year then he should be well adjusted to compete with those guys. Ballweg has been doing great at 141 and has a shot to AA. If Marion went 149 he would have a shot to AA (honestly I think 141 is a lot tougher than 149 this year so he'd probably have a better shot). I guess I had always assumed that if Marion returned it would be at 149, which would put Iowa right in the hunt...

[Danny Burk]

I would doubt they would give him the spot right away. He is going to have to earn it. But you would assume he would be capable of earning it based on his performance at the end of last year. I understand the way life works sometimes, but this situation rubs me the wrong way. Like I have said before, I am sure the kid has changed and worked hard to become a better person. But he did the same thing the first 5 times he got into trouble, and it never kept him out of trouble.
I am sure the people at Iowa are confident in this kid and believe he has changed for the better. Regardless, it is going to have people believing that Brands + Iowa are only worried about one thing: winning. If Marion wasnt a NCAA runner-up, would he be given this 5th/6th extra chance??

[Formerwrestler]

One simple answer. "NO". It's a given. You stated state runner up, and Brands is about winning, about covers everything to me.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Danny Burk

I would doubt they would give him the spot right away. He is going to have to earn it. But you would assume he would be capable of earning it based on his performance at the end of last year. I understand the way life works sometimes, but this situation rubs me the wrong way. Like I have said before, I am sure the kid has changed and worked hard to become a better person. But he did the same thing the first 5 times he got into trouble, and it never kept him out of trouble.
I am sure the people at Iowa are confident in this kid and believe he has changed for the better. Regardless, it is going to have people believing that Brands + Iowa are only worried about one thing: winning. If Marion wasnt a NCAA runner-up, would he be given this 5th/6th extra chance??

C'mon that just ridiculous. Brands ONLY concerns are for the welfare of his kids. In his judgement Ballweg wasn't ready to wrestle at 141. Records ,rankings, win /losses mean nothing to Brands. The kid was just not ready. Just like the team is not ready to compete at the national duals this year. It has nothing to do with several teams being better. Brands is probably completely unaware that some great teams will be at the duals that may beat them.He doesn't worry about losses -he worries about his kids.

Brands is guaranteed a job for life at Iowa. He has no concern about winning. He just wants to do whats right for the kids. Ballweg has done nothing to prove he belongs on that starting lineup.

May I suggest that none us of question his superior wisdom on this matter and just accept that Ballweg wasn't ready .

Go Brands and Go Hawks! and where is Will-I-Am when you need him?