An Interview With Demar Dorsey
[Editor's note: Somehow this video featuring Dorsey's been on Youtube since March and no one noticed it. It's a profile put together by LifeSkills, an "alternative high school opportunity for at-risk and drop-out youth providing a unique academic model and a proven record of success." It's one of a few promotional videos put together by the company (another couple feature folks who aren't athletes) and should be viewed with that in mind.
Anyway:
On to Tom.]
As everyone knows, Demar Dorsey's situation with Michigan is in limbo. I was granted an interview with Demar. Since he and his family have been refusing to talk to the media I promised Demar that this interview would be a simple Q&A to leave no room for interpretation.
TOM: Do you read everything that's been in the media about you?
DEMAR: Yeah, I've seen most of the articles. The media didn't really make me upset, because I know the truth about me. It made my parents upset, because once I announced I was going to Michigan, that's when all these articles started coming out. I had to change my number, so no one could get a hold of me.
TOM: That's pretty big for a football recruit to have to go through that. What kind of affect did that have on you and your family?
DEMAR: We just got together and said don't let anything affect you, and just move on. I've been trying to do everything I can to move forward.
TOM: Have those reports affected your perception of Michigan, or its fans?
DEMAR: No, I chose Michigan for a reason, and I would love to be up there. Everybody is always telling me how much they want me up there, and that they're supporting me. My cousin, Denard [Robinson], has been telling me how much love they're showing me.
TOM: So, where are you at with Michigan?
DEMAR: Right now, I'm still signed under my letter of intent, so I can't do anything yet until I hear back from them. They told me that they don't think I can get in with admissions about two weeks ago, or a week ago, but they weren't sure. They had been checking on my grades earlier in the year, and I was on top of it. When I got home one day, my parents said that they were sending back my letter of intent. They were sending me a release form. I'm not sure what that means, or if it means I'm officially not in. I think because I signed a letter of intent, if I wanted to open up my recruitment, I would have to send that back to them. If I can't get in from the admissions, then I have to send that back. My mom said we need to do that, so we have to send it out tomorrow, and we'll go from there. I have the ACT score, and I have the core, so we're just waiting to hear what happens. I haven't heard anything from the coaches yet.
TOM: What's next from here? What do you do if you can't get in to Michigan?
DEMAR: If I can't get in, I'll re-open my recruitment. I have a couple schools that I'm thinking of, I don't want to name names yet. I'll just wait to see what happens.
that's a huge leap without seeing his actual grades and knowing what role, exactly, LifeSkills played in that GPA. There could easily be a problem there. There have been major scandals at other universities surrounding LifeSkills-type institutions in the past, so it's not surprising at all if Michigan is investigating them and being very careful here.
I think it's also important to remember that every single public statement by Coach Rodriguez (who represents the University) has been in support of Dorsey's efforts to escape his past.
First of all, very strong work by Tom on getting this interview at a moment in time when Dorsey isn't talking to ANYBODY else.
Second, this is disappointing on so many levels. I couldn't agree more with Brian's post that this reeks of the horrible lack of communication that plagued M for the whole FP Jihad, except that now it's admissions. I also hope the coaching staff steps up their communication with Dorsey and that he gets the treatment any recruit deserves during a process like this.
I can't say there isn't an absolute cut-off when it comes to admitting athletes with a poor academic history in high school, but it doesn't seem like it's an open and shut case when it comes to Dorsey. In other words, considering he was signed off at one point by at least one person, he isn't the epitome of an athlete whose academics are so bad that he shouldn't be admitted however good an athlete he is. My guess is that such an athlete does exist, but I think the whole point is that when admissions looks at recruits, just like regular students, they do it from a broad perspective that includes character, grades, test scores, athletic ability, extracurricular activitiesand an accurate understanding of any trouble that person has gotten into. In most cases, athletic ability is pretty analagous to many other extracurricular activities, like music, for example. A kid might not be the best student, but a musical genius who (again considering many factors) is deemed to be a worthy addition to the university. It sure seems like Dorsey's case is at least open for discussion, and therefore all the bulls**t grandstanding by the media and academic elites is just that, bulls**t.
With that said, it would be horrible form for the university and the program to recind at this point. At the very least, make it a learning situation for the program and the admissions office so things will be handled more smoothly in the future.
Good luck to Demar, wherever you end up.
It sounds like he hasn't been officially denied by admissions, but clearly isn't getting positive vibes.
He's not the first to not make it in after signing a LOI and won't be the last. The problem is whether or not the message to him was 'qualify by NCAA standards and you're in'.
Again, there are more details to come. It's June. Many from academia and admin departments are on vacation.
And oh yeah, if we're hanging the success of the defense on a true freshman in the secondary, we need to re-set expectations next year.
I read it a little differently. It sounds like he has officially been denied. The coaches have told him they are trying to get it reversed, The part about sending back the LOI and getting a release back sounds official.
I don't see how anyone can read that interview and actually think there is still a chance he comes. He's heard nothing from the coaches, nothing from admissions and was sent a release form to return. It's completely done, unfortunately. We're sorry Demar, best of luck to you.
Sam Webb just said last hour that in fact Dorsey's parents had been in contact with the coaches, so I don't think it's 100% for sure that RR and staff were incommunicado. Still a shitty situation for everybody involved. We'll probably never know the details, but the question is what happened between getting approval from Admissions to tender the offer to DD and the withdrawal of it. Is it really a screwup in Admissions, or does it have to do with academic things beyond their control that occured in DD's senior year at LifeSkills?
It pains me to say it. This whole thing has really shaken my confidence.
Thanks for getting this info out. Dorsey better get in, or I'm going to be super pissed. Not that that's going to have any type of effect on anything whatsoever, but still!
I really feel for this kid. This kid seems really genuine in his eagerness to come here, and in his eagerness at a second chance. I really see him using that energy on the field, and in the classroom. The fact that he has busted his ass in such a short period of time should prove that not only does he want to do the right thing, but that he wants to do it HERE. This isn't just about football; it's about what's right. You just don't snatch the rug out from under a kid. I think Michigan is the perfect fit for him. Between coaches Rod and Barwis, do you think this kid is going to screw up? Plus he has family here in Denard, who I'm pretty sure would help keep him on the straight and narrow, and not to mention the support he has of the countless fans, alumni, and (hopefully) fellow students and teammates. Another person I feel for is RR. It seems like this guy cannot win for losing. He's already had enough to deal with, and now this. I hope to God that this does not jeopardize his recruiting in the south or in general as some have mentioned. Who knows what kind effect this could have on some of the kids that considering coming here. Not to mention, this could be used as fodder for the negative recruiters in the conference that shall remain nameless. I can't believe in light of the compliance issues that the university would want to add this to the list.
As an alumnus, I am feeling emotions I never expected to sense: I am thoroughly disgusted with Michigan for the way this is being handled. I don't know who to be angry with, so for now I will be pissed at the whole fracken University that I love. This is a good kid getting treated in pathetic, unprofessional ways probably due to hyperpolitical BS in the administration.
We want you at Michigan, Demar! You did everything right to get this opportunity. You should be a champion in Ann Arbor.
This Blows!
From the interview it sounds like it is over! Admissions has probably already denied his enrollment. Our loss will be FSU gain! I'm disappointed in the entire process. Once a kid signs a LOI, it should be honored even if he only meets the minimum requirements! I don't see how you can throw a kid under the bus like that!
I hope the secondary can still improve even without DD. Good luck DD at your new school. I wish you could have played for M. I hope I'm totally wrong about this and DD does get accepted!!!!
and I'm generally not thought of as an optimist.
It sounds like he's currently denied, so RR sent him a release, but there is still hope and the staff is working to grant him admission.
Can't he at least be granted conditional admission if he does well in a summer class at Michigan? Maybe extensive monitoring by compliance during the season to ensure his grades are above the minimum? There has to be a compromise here between the AD and admissions.
The Detroit News used this article as their main source in their own Dorsey article tonight, citing it extensively.
Does this mean the universe is now inside out?
You did what apparently no newspaper, espn, or premium Michigan site could do, land an interview with Dorsey at the time he is involved with the most significant story in Michigan sports.
Congratulations. I think this is a big moment.
I agree that congratulations are in order, but I'd say the biggest story in Michigan sports is the impending expansion of the Big Ten.
Those are also big.
happen to read this, please know that the alumni/ fans want you at Michigan and are embarrassed by how the Admissions Department has handled this. Regardless, even if you don't end up here, I'm not alone in wishing you the best of luck in life and football. I'll be cheering for you every Saturday and hopefully Sunday (unless you play against Michigan).
The way we've handled this kid is just an embarassment. He's put in the work and turned his life around to get into the school and we treat him like a red headed step child. I can only imagine what this is going to do with anyone who has a "character" issue in the future from choosing Michigan. These trouble kids are not going to want to end up in a "Dorsey Debacle" so they'll just go to a different top 25 school. I can't speak for him but I bet Denard is just going to be furious with the program if Demar doesn't get in. Also it seems like RR just cant get a break I fear this is his last year as the school just keeps chopping him down a block.
you are awesome tom
I hope Demar tears it up at FSU and goes pro. After that happens, Admissions will look even worse than they already do.
I just don't remember quite so much outrage when a similar thing happened to Adrian Witty.
I fully agree that Dorsey has been left rather shamelessly to shift in the wind here. But I think that a lot of this self-righteous vitriol might be tempered, just a bit, if the angriest commenters were to admit that the prospect of missing out on Dorsey's elite talent may be driving the cart here.
As a Michigan football fan, I'm extremely frustrated that Dorsey doesn't look like he'll be coming to Ann Arbor, and even more worried about what effect this episode may have on our Flordia recruiting. And again, I also feel for Dorsey and his family. It just seems to me that some of this humanitarian outrage on this site may be just a little disingenuous.
/assumes positions for negative bangin'
I don't think it's because of his talent as much as because of the "outside" reaction to his signing. A lot of U-M fans feel defensive of him because they think he got a raw deal from the press in February. I think that's the main difference with Witty -- Witty certainly filled a need himself and was missed last year, so I'm not sure that's a good comaparison.
Are we more concerned about Dorsey because he's a great athlete than we would be if he was a great violinaist? Sure. That's why we're on this site rather than MGoOrchestra.
I think it has more to do with the fact that he's been in our face the last few months in general. Elite talent may be WHY he has been in our minds, but it isn't automatically why people are annoyed. Admittedly, if he wasn't in the sports news headlines all off-season for other reasons, it probably wouldn't get as much attention.
Maybe I just wasn't paying attention, but I didn't hear nearly enough random stuff about Adrian Witty, and thus wasn't as informed about his situation. If it was the same, still big shame on the University Admissions / Athletic Department communication fails.
I think both of you are right here. UM fans' reactions have likely been heightened due to the higher media interest (much of it negative, to boot) in Dorsey's case, much moreso than in Witty's. But I think this higher energy has possibly - possibly - been misdirected at UM's admissions office.
We don't actually know why Witty wasn't admitted, though we all seem to accept that it was a grades/scores issue. Neither, though, do we know why Dorsey seemingly won't be admitted - I'll posit it's also likely a grades/scores issue (possibly a lack of acceptable accreditation on the scholastic institution providing the grades?). So I do think it's a bit of an extreme freakout to assume that the admissions office is doing something unethical or unprofessional in Dorsey's case. We definitely want Dorsey here. The team needs him; he would very likely benefit personally from the quality of life/school experience; and we all want to know that our team is attracting and keeping high quality talent. I think, though, that what we all really want to see is the Detroit media eating its collective hats. We're angry with them, but taking it out on our admissions office without knowing if it's deserved or not. Doesn't necessarily make us much less of a reactionary group than the reporters we all now despise.
I really hope Dorsey somehow makes it to UM. If he doesn't, though, I'll wait to see what the reasons may be before I start hating on my fellow Wolverines. Sorta like we did with the compliance office...
and the University's reputation weren't dragged through the mud on signing day like they were with Dorsey. Why go through all that and then deny the kid anyway? Just another example of the dysfunctional leadership at the University we all love. I really hoped that would have stopped with Brandon as AD but I guess he only has so much power. There are obviously still people in Admissions (and elsewhere?) that have a different agenda. Nothing wrong with having higher academic standards I suppose but at least be up front about it.
The people at admissions most certainly do have a different agenda than the athletic department. This is a good thing.
Also, while it seem that there should have been better communication between admissions and the football staff regarding Dorsey, we should remember that we don't really have any idea what's going on here. Is it possible that Rod ran Dorsey past admissions, they told him it looked like he had a snowball's chance, and he went ahead and offered him anyway? Or is it possible that Dorsey was offered a scholarship without any vetting by admissions in the first place? I honestly don't know (and I hope this hasn't been definitively answered in any of the other dozen Dorsey threads).
Please note that I'm not trying to come across as unequivocally pro-admissions here, just trying to temper the torch and pitchfork tone a bit. I'm still trying to irationally convince myself that Dorsey will end up at M and everything will be gravy.
Good work, Tom and Brian. You guys are fantastic at what you do.
LET HIM IN
LET HIM IN
I wouldn't be surprised if this is the source of the problem in Admissions, which probably has all kinds of criteria regarding adequate completion of core courses, especially when it comes to non-traditional school situations. We'll probably never know, at least insofar as any communication from UM, due to the privacy issues.
Which then brings me to a larger issue: a massive mainstream journalism FAIL on the part of the Free Press, the News, Ann Arbor.com, ESPN, and all the rest—it was MGoBlog who noticed that Dorsey was attending LifeSkills. Dorsey has apparently been attending LifeSkills since October, yet in all the Freep's bloviating about him, they never saw fit to actually do the incredibly hard work involved in moving their lips and fingers to ask questions. It was TomVH working for a blog—that they all sniff condescendingly at while they steal content from it— who actually committed journalism by interviewing DD, not the "professional journalists" at the aforementioned media concerns. They are useless.
a couple of weeks ago, that is why true M fans don't read that rag.
how the Free Press' involvement might have influenced this situation. Only someone who is probably prohibited from talking by federal law could ever fill us in.
And let us recall that it was not only the Free Press that reported on Dorsey's past. There was Birkett, and many others.
Still, I think it is a safe bet that 'but for' the climate of the NCAA investigation (an investigation that yielded not a shred of evidence of anything other than some blandly mild administrative incompetence), the Dorsey matter might well have turned out differently. And but for Michael Rosenberg, there would never have been an NCAA investigation.
I'm not sure that the Free Press is really that good at investigations and reporting, to have killed the admission of Demar Dorsey all by itself. I am all in favor of crediting the Free Press with its malevolence. I'm just not sure how much "competence" we should credit to the Free Press.
But this much is beyond dispute; the Detroit Free Press has not lifted a finger to tell both sides of the Dorsey story. And we know that there are two sides to the story. So the Free Press has deliberately, consciously placed itself in a position of suspicion for a possible role in this debacle.
Fuck you, Mike Rosenberg.
Fuck you, Drew Sharp.
Fuck you, Mark Snyder.
Fuck you, Mick McCabe.
Fuck you, Paul Anger.
Fuck you, Detroit Free Press.
I understand that Michigan's standards have to be maintained. However, I am concerned when students commit to Michigan after receiving an offer, and are not admited that it will negatively influence future potential recruits that maybe concerned about their academic status; especially if they don't have anything to worry about. They may dismiss Michigan to avoid embarassment and go to Ohio State [et al].
The president and the athletic director should force the athletic department and the admissions office to work together. When the admissions office rejects an offered candidate it is Michigan shooting itself in the foot. Schools like ND have very high admission standards for their students but it seems as though somehow they aren't having this problem. Unless we get ourselves together on this, this will hurt our recruiting. IMO
On WTKA this morning Sam reported that GoBlueWolverine last night also spoke with Demar and he wasn't as positive as he was with TomVH, saying basically it's over and that he received something in the mail that says as much (the release that he spoke about?). Sam recommends giving up the last bit of hope b/c the piece of mail (Sam never confirmed it was the release) pretty much seals the deal.
Sam also said Demar's final grades aren't in, so the final decision was made before his final grades were submitted.
I'm way more upset about this than I probably should be but all this rubs me the wrong way.
Assuming he doesn't get in, I hope they come out and say why not.
They can't ... privacy laws and all that
Whoever this guy is he is a douche.
"Jay from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: The [Demar] Dorsey situation is going to end up further supporting the perception that Michigan is simply another major college football program that the new AD established when he thumbed his nose at the NCAA by not adequately addressing the five major infractions committed by Michigan if he is admitted as a student. That is not a perception [Dave] Brandon, or the University can afford heading into the August NCAA hearing given that the NCAA clearly showed some leniency in the five allegations. They could have been charged with more severe violations and weren't. Given the public scrutiny regarding this program, I think cooler heads will prevail and deny him admittance. Any thoughts"
...is clearly a douche.
Rittenberg put him in his place with his answer:
Adam Rittenberg: I don't see how denying a player who met the NCAA's academic standards to play football impacts how the NCAA views Michigan. The Dorsey case is more about Michigan, its academic standards for football and how lenient it will be toward Rich Rodriguez entering a pivotal season. I'm hearing that Rodriguez and his coaches are fighting hard to get Dorsey admitted. How will the admissions office respond? You could be right and Dorsey gets denied and plays elsewhere, but I don't think Michigan has to worry about how the NCAA views the situation because Dorsey meets the NCAA's qualifications to play.
Rittenberg makes a great point here that seems to have been lost in the indignation: Because of practicegate, RichRod is likely operating on a severely shortened leash. There's no way this decision is solely that of Admissions. I'm guessing that senior management (Pres, Provost, AD) all were involved in the review of this case and there's something that makes them risk averse about admitting Dorsey.
It is what it is, people.
Does anyone think a Dorsey admittance is a problem for Michigan vis a vis the NCAA? I don't. I am not aware of anybody who does. Rittenberg's comments are technically correct, but also mostly irrelevant.
"Jay from Ann Arbor" is more to the point, as well as incorrect. I suspect that Michigan's administrators are concerned about the appearance of admitting a kid with Demar's academic record and his arrest record. And that they are concerned about what the parents of 9,000 rejected undergrad applicants will think. At a time when Michigan is begging the state legislature for every penny of support for the general fund. (Athletics, of course is entirely self-supporting, and there is ZERO evidence that a Demar Dorsey's admission would deny a place in the Freshman '10 class to a worthy Michigan high school student.)
Had Demar Dorsey been admitted, it would have resulted in a direct, instant $45,000 boost in general funding to the University of Michigan, paid for by the supporters of the football program. As Demar's full-ride, out-of-state tuition was paid in full. In cash. P-e-r-i-o-d.
This situation is being handled in a completely terrible manner. Disregarding that the kid is a great athlete, M offered him an opportunity to attend if he met certain requirements. He did the work to meet those requirements and now M has decided to not honor their offer. Terrible reflection of integrity.
My take on this is more the indication of the institutional dislike of RR at M and that those powers will do everything they can to sabotage the man. Another thread earlier this week talked about how long until he leaves and I'm starting to think the same thing. Almost reminds me of Alabama after Bear left and what they did/do to coaches.
M offered him an opportunity to attend if he met certain requirements. He did the work to meet those requirements and now M has decided to not honor their offer.
Wait a second here. You don't know what requirements M offered him (logically, they would be "meet our admissions floor, which is above the clearinghouse") and you don't know that DD met these requirements (he did meet the clearinghouse minimums, but those are lower than M minimums).
Until we get more facts, this is all we know, so don't believe/ propagate the notion that M (either Admissions or RR) lied to DD.
The kid honestly doesn't know for certain what is going on. He was offered and one could reasonably assume he was aware what he needed to do and met those benchmarks. This is why he's confused.
If he was told get a xx gpa and a xx act and met them he could assume he is in. If he didn't meet the gpa/act requirements he would know he's out. That seems pretty simple, but for him to not be sure seems to imply that he met whatever requirements were laid out and now now the requirements seem to have been changed.
What I find most frustrating is that the kid seems to have to hit a moving target and his being an athlete has nothing to do with that. This is another occasion where the HS coaches have some responsibility to make it clear to these kids that they need to keep their grades in mind as well as athletics and provide these kids help/support if necessary.
I'm not entirely sure that admissions gives a shit one way or another about Rich Rodriguez, to be honest with you. I think you're stretching for a conspiracy here.
I am truly saddened and disappointed by this situation.
I'm sorry but I don't feel like a pitty party should be thrown here. Yes, I understand Dorsey got a raw deal in the end and was treated poorly, I wish him the best. But, if any of us would have had a 2.5 or 2.6 with a 18 on our ACTs would be lucky to get into Central Michigan with those grades let alone Michigan. We pull in a lot of recruits based on the fact that we do have higher standards academically and they see a future with a University of Michigan degree as opposed to one from that school down south. Maybe I'm in the minority here or being unempathetic/elitist, but we have standards set forth for a reason and we would not be writing about this if he was a two star recruit.
Just my opinion.
1. Good luck building a championship football team if you're only going to recruit Myron Rolles.
2. These kids are doing the best they can with what they've been given, and some of them have been given a boatload of football talent. College sports gives them the opportunity to better themselves by capitalizing on their abilities on the field.
Bringing in kids like Dorsey will not bring down the academic reputation of the university. The number of scholarship athletes with sub-standard qualifications is a drop in the bucket compared to all of the students enrolled at Michigan.
are a very talented guy and donate to the school, but football players bring in significant profit for the University (like ~$20 million from TV alone).
Moreover, a lot of these kids come from disadvantaged situations (read: don't take SAT prep classes starting in 9th grade, don't have private tutors, don't pay ~$30K to attend elite prep schools) and work long hours playing football, basketball, track... in high school looking for a scholarship.
At first, I was upset and didn't want Dorsey because of his past transgressions. However, I came to like what little I knew of the kid, and I truly feel bad for him right now. When kids grow up in big cities and live in those tougher neighborhoods, a good percentage of them are going to travel down the wrong path and get into some trouble. HOWEVER, making mistakes is part of growing up and one of the best ways to mature...yes, even iif it includes burglary and/or robbery. As kids we ALL made mistakes......and now AFTER recruiting this kid and getting him to sign, we are going to leave him alone, and expect him to move on with no hard feelings. I wish this kid the best of luck and I HOPE AND PRAY he becomes an ALL AMERICAN......Michigan Football is NEVER going to become elite again if the Alumni keep trying to hold the program back and we keep trying to hold "Michigan Football" to higher academic standards. In MY opinion, it's more of an acomplishment to recruit a kid with medicore grades, and a hazy past and transform them into MICHIGAN MEN, with a degree and a future in the NFL than a kid who already get straught A's and B's. Times have changed ladies and gentleman....the days of Bo and Woody having stellar programs to include academics are no more.....there are plenty of colleges that can and will recruit kids like Dorsey to give them an opportuntiy to play and succeeed. I am a lifelong Wolverine.....I just wish the program would be more open minded....Go BLUE!
So how do you feel about Justin Feagin and Boubacar Cissoco? Took a chance and they dumped it right back at our feet with a healthy dose of bad press involved.
Yes, Cissoko and Feagin were given chances.
And yes, they washed out. Precisely because Michigan's bottom-line discipline was unbending in both cases.
And no (although you didn't suggest it, others will), it has NO reflection on the Rich Rodriguez era. Cissoko was a Lloyd Carr-era recruit. In the Bo era, we had a number of really good football players who washed out, discipline-wise. I won't name names. But I can think of one guy who led the Big Ten in yards per carry, and who was given a second chance, by Bo, after he threw a fellow-student through a dorm-room wall. The guy's second chance turned out to be worthwhile, for year, but he eventually washed out. That was in the days when Michael Rosenberg was still in high school and Mark Snyder was in junior high school.
"Bad press"? We have no "press" anymore. We have a war, with the Detroit Free Press. We should act like it.
Our student-athletes are now nothing more than pawns in the Free Press' attacks on Rich Rodriguez. Just ask Je'Ron Stokes and Brandin Hawthorne if you think that I am being just a little hysterical. I'm not, and that is what is so shocking.
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