The Plot Thickens With Team Turmoil
The New York Daily News is the latest media outlet to examine the lunacy that is the 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. In an article in today’s paper writer Mitch Abramson reveals that it wasn’t just Luis Yanez who clashed with coach Dan Campbell to such an extent that official repercussions were necessary.
No sir indeed. Six (Yanez included) of the nine fighters — that’s right SIX! — have either disappeared, left camp, or failed to show up at a certain point in training in since June. It’s a good thing the team has already left to go to Beijing because it is much harder to run away while in China. We think the Olympics are about athletes and not coaches and that Campbell should have been gone a long time ago. Nevertheless, it’s too late for that.
Gary Russell, Jr. won a bronze at the 2005 World Amateurs and is a medal favorite this year. His father explained the team’s situation and difficulties with Coach Campbell to the Daily News:
(Campbell) had so many arguments with these boxers it’s like he’s setting them all up for failure. He’s threatened to throw Sadam (Ali), Demetrius (Andrade), Rau’Shee (Warren), Javier (Molina), Gary, and Luis all off the team. That’s six boxers, more than half the team. Something has to be wrong if you’re threatening to get rid of half the team. It can’t all be the fault of the boxers.”
The 65-year old Campbell counters with the fact that he’s been through rough times. He cites the civil rights struggle (an odd non-sequitur), two tours in the Vietnam War, and the fact that he’s been a single parent four times. Does that also mean he’s been divorced four times? Because that doesn’t bode well for his compromising skills.
Campbell’s crotchety old man-isms aside, this team appears to be in trouble. But who knows? Maybe they’ll be so angry at their coach that the team will draw from their disdain and be launched to untold accomplishments. ESPN talking heads lionize Bill Parcells and Bobby Knight for the anger they channel from their team onto themselves and then outward onto opponents.
What do you say?
Parcells hasn’t won a Super Bowl in 18 years because the athletes are different today and not as receptive to bullying tactics and hate-baiting?
Knight’s last NCAA title was 21 years ago and since then his teams have routinely lost in the tourney’s first round?
You say old school Vince Lombardi methods went out with Swatch watches, Member’s Only Jackets, Rubik’s Cubes, Garbage Pail Kids, and Parachute Pants?
Just don’t tell Mr. Campbell because he thinks he has a good thing going on.
At this point the only thing that will change U.S. Boxing’s archaic training methods is absolute failure at Beijing 2008 and no one wants to see that happen. Once August 9 rolls around and the boxing competition begins I will be glued to my couch hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
Tags: , Bobby KnightOlympic Boxing, Boxing, Dan Campbell, Gary Russell Jr, Luis Yanez, New York Daily News, OlympicsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Boxing
1 opinion for The Plot Thickens With Team Turmoil
elroy
Jul 31, 2008 at 9:02 am
Great article. USA boxing fans should be appalled by the actions of this coach.
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