University of South Alabama Athletics Director has confirmed Demetre Baker release.
A surprise to
me and a surprise too many others, that a star running back that transferred to
South Alabama from the University of Georgia name Demetre Baker wants his
transfer papers now, so he can transfer away from South Alabama.
RB Demetre Baker |
Just as when
South Alabama Jaguars enter into the Football Bowl Subdivision as a full fledge
member, and looking for a winning season on the FBS level find themselves
losing a quality player. In my interview
with Demetre Baker on today, he claims the school coaches refuse to talk to him
and explain what he did wrong to get voted off the team. Baker has been allegedly
voted off the South Alabama Jaguars team by his fellow senior team mates for being
late for team meetings. It’s not confirmed on how many meetings Baker missed.
This news
comes as a surprise when I first learned about it over social media. It surprises many that all this has been keep a secret by the University and school officials. Demetre Baker commented on his (Facebook)
social media page that “All he wants is his transfer papers!” Baker has helped
the South Alabama Jaguars when they didn’t have any help in the key running
back position. Now he can’t get an answer from any of the coaches or staff at
South Alabama.
Demetre
Baker has been cut from the team for about three weeks now; Baker says he been
cut after being voted off by fellow team mates for being late for team meetings,
says he did participate in spring drills and practices after being classified
as ineligible after failing two classes in the fall. Not only has he been cut from the team, Baker
says he has been banned some offices and campus facilities.
"Mr. Baker is entitled to his own opinion and through a press on Monday, Mr. Baker has been released from the team. We handle each athlete according to the NCAA guidelines, said Dr. Erdmann".
"Mr. Baker is entitled to his own opinion and through a press on Monday, Mr. Baker has been released from the team. We handle each athlete according to the NCAA guidelines, said Dr. Erdmann".
I asked
Baker did he apologize for his team violation of missing team meetings. Baker
replied “Yes I did, and they seem to not listen or take into consideration my
apology.” Baker future explained to me that he believes that decision to cut
him from the team was a personal decision and discrimination toward him. Baker wants to remain with the team and help
the team get to where they would like to go and be champions. However, Baker
claims that he is not getting any cooperation from school officials, coaches
and staff. Baker insists that if he can’t get honest answers, then all he wants
is his papers to transfer with his scholarship.
Baker agrees
that’s he has committed some mistakes, but not any that is major to where he embarrassed
his team or school or deserves to be voted off the team. Baker also claims that
a blogger published some lies about him and his thoughts about the team, which
Baker claims is not true. Baker says he believes that may also have played a
part in all of this confusion.
After
talking with Baker about his dismissal from the team; your Insider found out
some more surprisely news. Baker claims that South Alabama current football
team may not meet NCAA (APR) requirements. Demetre claims that South Alabama is
having a bad spring semester right now and it’s not funny. Baker said the
current team is currently failing their classes. Baker said South Alabama can’t
bring any new recruits and freshmen to the school if they don’t meet their
APR. After speaking with Dr. Erdmann on Thursday, May 2, 2013, Mr. Erdmann failed to confirm or deny that that program will or will not meet their APR requirements. "We will not know the current APR for about another 5 to 6 months, said Erdmann."
After revealing
this news, I asked Baker does this play into the 4-star recruit Blanchard that
is also a running back and signed with South Alabama in February coming to
South in the fall. He said sure, he believes that the coaches got rid of him so
they can have a scholarship to give to Blanchard.
Baker wants
his release papers, but claims the school will not give them to him. Baker said
that he will try again and also meet with other school officials before taking
the matter to the NCAA. Baker said he loves his team, and there is nothing that
he has against his school, Baker wants to play for the Jaguars if they allow
him to do so. Demetre Baker said if not, he is ready to move on. Before coming to South Alabama, Baker says he had offers from Arkansas State, Texas A&M, North Alabama and a few others. According to Dr. Erdmann the AD at South Alabama says that Mr. Baker release will be issued once a request has been received in writing.
Stay tune
for more on this matter, Baker will be live this week for a interview on my show “The
Edge” where we will get more in dept about his transfer and dismissal from
South Alabama football program. You will be surprise on what else he has to say
and what is or may have happen with the team mates and program.
This is not
the first report of some sort of happening of this nature at South Alabama.
Several people that wish to remain anonymous believe the school to be racist toward African Americans. What do you
think of this? Let us know and for your thoughts are important.