That's a bad call
Men's basketball coach Ernie Zeigler did the right thing Oct. 24 when he dismissed senior forward Marcus Van from the team for violating team rules.
He then made a critical mistake in allowing Van to return to the team on Tuesday, citing that he did not know all of the facts prior to the dismissal.
We are not sure exactly why Van, who led the team with 5.3 rebounds per game last season, was dismissed. But it was not the first time he got himself into trouble.
He pleaded guilty as a youthful trainee in a conspiracy to steal and use a financial transaction device earlier this year. He was sentenced Aug. 22 to 15 days in jail, probation, community service and restitution.
Zeigler claimed this charge had nothing to do with his dismissal. Yet after another incident, he reinstated Van, saying he now demonstrates a better understanding of what is expected from members of the program.
Is that all it takes to forgive somebody these days? Let them taint the integrity of Central Michigan University student- athletes, as long as they learn a lesson from it?
Or is it a combination of other factors, say, news that junior forward Marko Spica is out indefinitely with a knee injury?
Zeigler was cautious in the past. He refused to dismiss Eddie Spencer after an arrest in 2007. He feels a responsibility to mold sometimes troubled young men into better individuals. But there comes a time when his mentorship becomes counterproductive.
The team already saw its fair share of departures entering 2008, with freshman Chase Simon and junior Nate Minnoy both leaving after last year.
If reinstating Van was a reaction to a sudden depth problem, it was a careless move and, dare we say, a rush to judgment in itself. It sets a precedent for other players on the team - that it is okay to make a big mistake, as long as you are apologetic afterward and the team needs you.
We hope that is not the case in this situation. Zeigler has standards to uphold on his team, just like every other CMU head coach.
Either way, he must take better precautionary actions before dismissing or reinstating players.
