WVU Coach Dana Holgorsen Escorted From Mardi Gras Casino Outside Charleston
by Dr. Charley West on May 25, 2011 12:48 AM EDT
in Mountaineer Football
Email
PrintAs initially hinted by us on Twitter late Tuesday, WVU Head Coach-in-Waiting Dana Holgorsen was allegedly involved in an incident at the Mardi Gras Casino (formerly Tri-State Racetrack) last week. The event, which was said to have happened around 3 am on Wednesday morning, involved Holgorsen reportedly becoming unruly and being escorted out of the building.
Multiple sources told the Charleston Daily Mail Holgorsen was removed from Mardi Gras Casino & Resort after 3 a.m. May 18. Holgorsen had been at a Mountaineer Athletic Club function earlier in the day in Logan before spending the evening at the casino with other university representatives.
Holgorsen's behavior allegedly reached a point that necessitated involvement from on-site security, sources said. Holgorsen was escorted out of the casino with the episode caught on surveillance. University representatives who were with Holgorsen were said to have then intervened. No arrest was made.
The story, which is being reported on by the Charleston Daily Mail's Mike Casazza, necessitated a terse statement issued by WVU's Michael Fragale, the assistant athletic director for communications:
Athletic director Oliver Luck and head coach Bill Stewart have been made aware of the alleged incident. Once they have all the facts, they will deal with it appropriately.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, the fact that the University felt compelled to issue a statement late into the night does not paint a rosy picture of the incident.
We will have updates as they are made available.
UPDATE: The Big East has been forced to cancel today's meeting of athletic directors due to Oliver Luck returning to Morgantown to deal with the Holgorsen situation.
Wednesday morning’s Big East athletic directors meeting at the league’s spring meetings was cancelled because some of the league’s ADs, including West Virginia’s Oliver Luck, had to return back to their schools earlier than expected.
UPDATE #2: Mike Casazza says something involving someone from some source will potentially maybe possibly happen today.
Re: Holgorsen - I'm told WVU will have a comment, of some form, from some forum, that advances/updates situation before end of the day.less than a minute ago via web 
Favorite 
Retweet 
Reply
Mike Casazza
mikecasazza
UPDATE #3: This isn't the first such incident involving Holgorsen since he's been at WVU.
Source within Lottery Commission informs that Holgorsen was involved in nearly identical incident at Wheeling Island Casino last month.less than a minute ago via Twitter for Android Favorite Retweet Reply
Charley West
SmokingMusket
Just as happened last week, no police arrest, but asked to leave. Holgorsen complied.less than a minute ago via Twitter for Android Favorite Retweet ReplyCharley West
SmokingMusket
Our original tweets from last night have been moved to after the jump...
Hearing WVU just sent the Associated Press a statement about an incident last week involving Holgorsen that was described as "terse."less than a minute ago via Twitter for Android Favorite Retweet ReplyCharley West
SmokingMusket
Received a flurry of texts and messages last weekend RE: Holgorsen, but nothing rose above rumor. This statement may change that.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyCharley West
SmokingMusket
Paraphrasing statement: WVU is aware of incident involving Holgorsen, looking into the situation, no further comment at this time.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyCharley West
SmokingMusket
43 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
So, most likely...
He got tipsy, began to cause a scene and refused to leave when asked? Seeing as how he was there with other university reps you would think the school was already aware of it. Probably just hoped that it would be swept under the rug.
I guess we’ll wait and see.
I bleed blue... and red, but that's not my fault. I didn't get to choose that one.
I understand getting a little drunk and out of hand.
Heck, I did it after the UConn game. But my job doesn’t involve being one of the most visible public figures at a large university. Without having all the facts, it’s hard to make much of a judgment call here, but at this point I’m going to go on record as saying that the head football (and basketball, baseball, and other sports too) coach at WVU should not put himself in this kind of situation. If you want to go out and have some fun, great…do it in a manner that doesn’t involve intervention from security or do it at someone’s house where the public will never know what went on.
www.smokingmusket.com
Too much Red Bull?
I hope this is just one of those ‘growing pains’ incidents as Holgorsen settles into his new role of living in ‘the fishbowl’.
"Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy." ~ Joseph Campbell
That was my theory
Personally I don’t find it all that odd that a man addicted to Redy Bull is in a casino at 3am. The behavior is another story….
Here are my issues:
If it’s simply “drunk and disorderly,” then it’s certainly not the end of the world.
Two immediate things jump to mind, though:
1) Recruiting. Going from Stewart to Holgorsen was always going to be a stark contrast in terms of recruiting. Sure, Holgorsen can point to his system and teams’ production, but Stewart was always someone that parents could trust. Now, we didn’t necessarily see a bump in recruiting because of that (for other reasons), but it had to have helped. These types of incidents will need explained to parents of recruits. Not saying it can’t be overcome, but it creates one more obstacle.
2) Cut him off. Having been around the types of people that would be hanging with Holgorsen at 3 am in a casino, I can understand why no one stepped up and took responsibility. Someone, whether it be a football staffer, friend of the program, etc. has to step in, say, “Hey Dana, I think it’s about time we go,” and get him the hell out of there. Hopefully, after this incident, that begins to happen.
by Dr. Charley West on May 25, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
A Problem or a one time deal?
It has been reported elsewhere that he was refused to be served another drink and put up a stink about it. One incident of intoxication does not a problem drinker make. That being said, alcoholism is a disease. When an individual hits his bottom, and recognizes that alcohol is a problem in his life, then and only then can they get the help they need to achieve sobriety. There are many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers that can help put an alcoholic on the path to sobriety. After rehab, there is Alcoholics Anonymous. AA is a fellowship of people who have been there, done that. Through the AA support system is a program that has helped many to achieve sobriety. Additionally there is an organization called Alanon for the friends and family, anyone that has been effected by another person’s drinking or drug use. Alanon can help repair the damage done to loved ones by the disease of addiction. For Holgorsen this may have been a one time incident that he will not repeat. If not, hopefully he will seek the help he needs before the disease of alcoholism becomes the problem that destroys his career, his family, and his life.
Wagon
Does this mean that Holgorsen is on the wagon? Or off the wagon?
by Stiles on May 25, 2011 11:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why don’t they call it roundtine? The mug is round. The container is round.
by BurghMountaineer on May 25, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
You are said to be "on the wagon" if you are NOT drinking
Falling “off the wagon” equates to going on a bender.
"Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy." ~ Joseph Campbell
by MtnEer_in_SC on May 25, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Wagons are/were notoriously unreliable.
Mine kept breaking on Oregon Trail and, because I was 9 years old, I wasn’t even drinking. Again, the wagon analogy is very confusing.
by Dr. Charley West on May 25, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt that your being 9 had anything to do with not drinking.
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on May 25, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I got dysentery and my oxen died trying to ford the river.
Plus, what do you think the wagons were carrying? Barrels of alcohol, and you know people on the wagon were drinking from them.
by The 25314 on May 25, 2011 1:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks for the PSA
"Be polite to everyone you meet, but be prepared to kill anyone"-tc16cav
by otisnixon'sparty on May 25, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
and knowing is half the battle
GO JOE!
-- good god am I a philistine.--
by TheMattROb on May 25, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I was wanting to do something like this
so thanks
"Be polite to everyone you meet, but be prepared to kill anyone"-tc16cav
by otisnixon'sparty on May 25, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
YUP
As a child of the 80’s I know my cartoons. Transformers and G.I. Joe were my two faves. So I got that going for me, which is nice.
by BurghMountaineer on May 26, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
My take
HCIW being escorted out of a casino at 3am. He’s an adult and has every right as you or I do to be there at that time. However, that’s not a good impression for him to make or a good sign for WVU football.
In the post, it is mentioned that Bill Stewart has been made aware of the situation. Since he’s a “lame duck” coach for the next year, what is he going to say or do? All of that power was taken out of his hands by Oliver Luck.
by BurghMountaineer on May 25, 2011 10:26 AM EDT reply actions
True story:
Bill Stewart was once kicked out the WV State Fair for yelling “Bingo!” too loudly.
by Dr. Charley West on May 25, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
YUP
I was there. He was slappin’ his knees and celebrating because he won on 4 Corners. The prize was a WVU sweater vest and an autographed photo of Jeff Hostetler.
by BurghMountaineer on May 25, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
hittin’ that lemonade a little to hard, I reckon!
by phucoffaholic on May 26, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd just like to point out
that Mike C’s article in the does not mention alcohol AT ALL.
Holgo could have been involved in any number of things, and we are just assuming (justifiably, maybe) it is alcohol because it was 3 in the morning.
by TheMattROb on May 25, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
I think it's a safe assumption.
Most of the people I’ve seen at casinos at 3 am aren’t belligerently high on life.
by Dr. Charley West on May 25, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
well said
But let’s just hold off on enrolling him in rehab until we learn whether he was a)drunk and cut off b)out of money and cut off c)rebuked by a lady and cut off d)all of the above
by TheMattROb on May 25, 2011 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
There are seemingly reliable
reports up. He was cut off, he got pissy, police were called, he left when police asked him to, sat on a bench outside till his cab arrived say those reports.
"Be polite to everyone you meet, but be prepared to kill anyone"-tc16cav
by otisnixon'sparty on May 25, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm
That sucks all of the panache out of the story, but at least it sounds like a pretty minor situation.
-- good god am I a philistine.--
by TheMattROb on May 25, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah unless
he used some ridiculously colorful and previously unheard of phrases before the cops showed up, and someone got them on tape, this story isn’t nearly as much fun as I had hoped.
"Be polite to everyone you meet, but be prepared to kill anyone"-tc16cav
by otisnixon'sparty on May 25, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone wonder
Why it took an entire week for this to come to light? Makes you wonder if it is anything at all. If it were a bigger deal, wouldn’t it have come to light earlier?
And, I love how they tout the Big East meeting suspension as being solely about Luck leaving to deal with this. The sPitt and Rutgers AD had to leave too, not just Luck.
So stupid.
lol
I took it more to mean that Luck has already established himself as a powerful figure among that group, and that there would be a meeting when he godd*mn well decided to have a meeting.
Unfortunately, the Pitt/Rutgers thing ruins that notion.
-- good god am I a philistine.--
by TheMattROb on May 25, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like Holgorsen is going to need a 'drinking buddy' to tell him when to give it a rest.....
It looks like a tough job, any volunteers?
"Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy." ~ Joseph Campbell
The Nitro police statement
…basically says nothing new, except confirming that no laws were broken by DH
Individuality is a myth
Unfortunately for HCIW and really everyone else in the world. Your actions reflect on more than just you. So when my dumbass friend is in KFC in Atlanta making an ass of himself wearing WV gear while I am in the same gear he reflects poorly on me and WV. Even though he’s a free wheeling super cool guy he might need to thing about what he does before he actually does it. Not something me or my friends are known for.
This is the first and hopefully the last chink in the armor of our Golden Boy, hopefully it will be repaired before it gets bigger.
So regardless of what the extent of the situation was, our newly crowned savior may need to take it down a peg or two until he’s actually won some games.
He doesn’t want to burn any bridges before he starts.
Also, after his DUI, Huggins was asked what he did to change his life in regards to drinking. Huggs said, “Hire a driver!” now that’s funny
"Thus, it is with those nurtured in Appalachia—they leave, but they look back, remembering pleasant things. The land has claimed them, and its ties will not be severed." --Maurice Brooks
Dr. Charley West, Please don't block me if I have typos or poor grammar.
by Oregon Mountaineer on May 25, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions
I wish Dana had read Stew’s rules for living, then he would know to never go anywhere where the emphasima to patron ratio is 1/1.
What's emphasima?
www.smokingmusket.com
by Country Roads on May 27, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
In the grand scheme of things this isn't that bad
at least he didn’t hit his wife like Pitt’s HC for 72 hours did. So the man likes to drink, he is of age. nothing to see here folks move along
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
If this is the 1st incident of this type in WV then I don’t think it’s much of a story. If it’s happened before at Mountaineer or Wheeling Island (can’t remember which one), then that indicates a potential problem. Hopefully, the guy focuses on how to conduct his personal life by taking notes from Huggins……Still slam the alcohol (if that’s your thing) but do so at least somewhat “under the radar”.
I hadn't heard about the first incident
but running such late hours gambling just isn’t a healthy place to be IMHO. Sure he has a “right”, but the question isn’t the constitutionality of his ability to party really late and cause disturbances, but the wisdom of such.
by phucoffaholic on May 26, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
