I’ve never felt the need to write a follow-up to a previous column, but as a result of the response last week’s piece on my slamming Chamberlain Oguchi’s decision to transfer, this will be the first.
Some people question my need to write critical commentary, wondering why I feel it’s necessary to criticize these “kids.” It’s part of my job description and please, we’re all adults at the University. If you’re calling a 20-somethings kids, then so am I, and so was 49ers quarterback Alex Smith during his rookie season when he was 21. If we can’t handle criticism at this point in our lives, if we can’t learn from it and have it inspire us to be better and to make more sound decisions, then maybe we’re not cut out for our desired future professions.
That said, I do feel that I should have scaled back my verbal assault on Oguchi, because I believe there were ulterior (but unsupported) reasons for his transfer, but my rationale was just and people’s perceptions on my motives were wrong. You can disagree with me all you want, but don’t believe for a second it was unethical journalism. I gathered my evidence and wrote my perception of his decision.
First, there is no personal inspiration for me to criticize Oguchi other than his decision to transfer. It’s rather unprecedented for a projected senior starter on an Elite Eight team to leave right after the season ended. When his teammates and coach are counting on him to help return to the postseason, I see it as a selfish move. I don’t have any vendetta or agenda against Oguchi or any of the athletes. I don’t have any sort of connection to a single one of them other than our working relationship. While I have more respect for certain players than I do for others, I’ll criticize as I see fit.
Second, the words attached to Oguchi seem speculative but are supported by what I’ve gathered over the course of time (not just this season). As a journalist, I see more of him than most fans and I didn’t try to insinuate that he constantly exhibited those behaviors I mentioned. But as a student, I’m privy to information about the athletes that’s not released to the public or other sports writers. I have a variety of sources who have interacted with some athletes using their celebrity in stereotypical fashion. Showing up to a party uninvited and demanding the host serve you your beverage of choice makes you a diva, hitting on a girl and trying to woo her because of your status makes you arrogant. I’m uncertain why people condemn my existence because I believe an athlete is arrogant or exhibits diva-like behavior. Many athletes do. It’s really not that unusual or abusive to call them such things. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Third, there needs to be some voice of dissent. Not everything about Oregon athletics is squeaky clean. Why? We’re all college students. We do dumb things on occasion which is why I criticized Oguchi. Despite a highly successful season, I don’t look at the basketball players through rose-tinted glasses. I didn’t hear any complaints when I criticized Dennis Dixon after his three-interception performance against Arizona. He wasn’t a part of any postseason success.
Lastly, if you’re going to start another hate group on Facebook (I’ve had two already during the school year. The first: I Hate Jacob May. The second: F— Jacob May) understand that once my friends get word of it, they’ll begin to use the group subversively and try to reverse the original title (such is the case in the second). In the first group, my roommate tricked the group’s creator into making him an administrator after writing several obscenity-laced, grammatically-incorrect messages that typified other people’s misbegotten ramblings and assumptions about me. At least I think he was joking. You’d have to ask him.
And finally, part of me wants to see Oguchi change his mind, believing that it’s in his best interest to stay with his friends and make another magical run through the NCAA Tournament. I’d be OK if he never spoke to me again. I would understand.