MU Press Release on Wally

[Nukem2]

Sorry Nukem, this is a crap post. Full spin BS. This is a disgusting move by Wojo and MU. It has ZERO to do with track. Why bring that cr@p into it. I expected more of MU and Wojo. You did not. So be it. It says alot about all of us.

Sorry, Mac. This has all to do about BB, not track. Sure that Wojo and Scholl did not make this decision lightly. In the end, this is probably better for Wally. His ego might be bruised, but he is getting a helluva an opportunity for his future without worrying about BB. We agree to disagree. I would agree with you if his scholie was pulled. That's not the case.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Sorry Nukem, this is a crap post. Full spin BS. This is a disgusting move by Wojo and MU. It has ZERO to do with track. Why bring that cr@p into it. I expected more of MU and Wojo. You did not. So be it. It says alot about all of us.

Disappointed Wally can't transfer and keep playing basketball, either as a grad transfer or by sitting out. Really disappointed how this one panned out.

If this was happening in Madison, people on these boards would be unilaterally skewering Gard. Just because Wojo is our guy doesn't change the standard. I'm expecting the next man up to get us to the Tourney this year.

[Nukem2]

Disappointed Wally can't transfer and keep playing basketball, either as a grad transfer or by sitting out. Really disappointed how this one panned out.

If this was happening in Madison, people on these boards would be unilaterally skewering Gard. Just because Wojo is our guy doesn't change the standard. I'm expecting the next man up to get us to the Tourney this year.

Once again, to be fair, we do not know the whole story (and I would bet $$
that no one here does) Let's temper our judgments a bit. Looks "bad" on the surface, BUT................?

[kneelb4zerg]

Once again, to be fair, we do not know the whole story (and I would bet $$
that no one here does) Let's temper our judgments a bit. Looks "bad" on the surface, BUT................?

Yeah a lot of people assuming the worst just because of public perception. That's a separate issue. Call me an optimist but I'll assume Wojo isn't an underhanded jerk until proven otherwise.

[mufansince72]

Whatever happened, sucks and looks bad for MU. What should I expect though, just about every move the program has made since the end of the Crean era has been bad.

[TheSultan]

I agree with Mac. Wally was invited here to play basketball. If it was insinuated that Wally would be allowed to fully participate in track, or if Sunday was the first time issues with his track participation were discussed, then Marquette should hold up its end of the deal. It's not Wally's fault that Wojo didn't recruit a power forward.

[Nukem2]

I agree with Mac. Wally was invited here to play basketball. If it was insinuated that Wally would be allowed to fully participate in track, or if Sunday was the first time issues with his track participation were discussed, then Marquette should hold up its end of the deal. It's not Wally's fault that Wojo didn't recruit a power forward.

Don't think the 2 sport stuff was working so well. Suspect that Wojo told Wally to concentrate on just one sport if he wanted to play BB. In short, be all in. Obviously, Wally did not agree. And, I certainly doubt that the subject first came up on Sunday. My guess is as good as yours.

[Phantom Warrior]

It certainly appears at this point that his participation on the track team and his preparation for the Olympic trials are not/were not the major issue but that "overbearing helicopter parents" was the issue, at least that is what Todd Smith's posting of the article would lead one to believe. That certainly could not be a coincidence in terms of the what and the when.

[Markedman]

Here is a post from JD's board. The poster is known by Ted.....he is the son of a former MU great and played for Bo Ryan.
Ps. Ted correct me if I'm wrong.

Hoops1212

Ignore this Member
Nominate | Report
Posted: Yesterday 6:49 PM
Re: Wally Ellenson Post Rating (9 votes)
I know this for sure, Wally didn't get his scholarship taken from him. Coaches typically meet at the end of the season with players and give them an idea where they see them for the upcoming year. This is pretty common. Wally's time on the floor next year would have been very little and therefore he was upset and decided to give up his scholarship. Sometimes the truth hurts! Instead of appreciating the opportunity, it sounds like someone (or in this case an entire family) felt they should be given playing time. Smoke and Mirrors? The Ellenson's got everything and more from Marquette.

[Goose85]

The best thing that could happen now is Wally focuses on high jumping full time, and has a great effort that gets him a shot at the Olympic trials and he goes from there.

Track is crazy. We all celebrate a guy that wins or medals in the Olympics, but it is always a little about the luck of the timing. With his sole focus on high jumping, and if Henry gets to peak season jumping at the right time, he could very well be on the Olympic team. Of course timing, and the luck of having your best day on that one day is needed.

Old school story. I remember IWB running track in high school. It was the 200, and IWB came in second but was not close to the winner. I told IWB he ran a great race, but IWB was upset at getting smoked (if you can say that coming in 2nd). I said to him - yeah, but you came in 2nd to Floyd Heard.

Floyd Heard was one of the best 100 and 200 runners in the world for a period of time, but his best years just didn't happen to be Olympic years.
Luck, timing, and one track meet every 4 years determines who gets a shot at the Olympics.

Here's to hoping that with Wally focusing on high jumping, he has his best efforts when needed to get a shot at the Olympic trials, and then PRs when it counts to get to the Olympic team. I'm sure all MU hoop fans will be pulling for Wally to have his best day when it counts.

Good luck and jump high Wally - we will be watching and cheering for you no matter what!