Article in the Seattle Times today stated that Willingham confirmed an earlier report that reshirt freshman running back J.R. Hasty of Bellevue is an academic casualty for the 2006 season along with three others who won't be able to play because of grade issues. My take is that UW is an institution where athletes are expected to maintain at least minimum academic standards to remain eligible. I am not so certain that this is the case at many Div 1 schools. Reading the Husky forum Dawgman, many are blaming TY and the coaching staff for not staying ahead of this. I don't agree. The university undoubtedly calls the staff's attention to problems, however there is only so much they can do to motivate the player to study.
Don't they still blame much of what is wrong with the program on Slick Rick and the guy who followed him? I get the feeling they felt like they had to bring in a high integrity guy like Willingham, you know the kind that is great from Sunday through Friday! I imagine it'll take him awhile to get them straightened out! Terry