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    Sunday, May 12, 2024

    If charges are proven, Wolf should never play for UConn again

    This premise is based on the accuracy of UConn basketball player Enosch Wolf's arrest report. It alleges that he "grabbed the hair" of a female victim in an on-campus apartment early Monday morning, "pushed her head" and "knocked the glasses off victim's face with his hand," resulting in burglary in the third degree, criminal trespass in the first degree and disorderly conduct.

    If the UConn police report is accurate, Wolf's basketball career here is hardly the point anymore.

    Enosch Wolf should be expelled.

    Forever.

    Because there should be no tolerance for such behavior.

    Ever.

    This is, or so we've been told, a time of a newer consciousness at UConn, particularly in the athletic department. A place that requires more accountability, higher priorities and a focus on the whole student. Now is UConn's chance to illustrate it is ready to apply what it purports.

    And send Wolf on his way.

    Would you want your daughter on a campus that would ultimately allow a man to grab her, push her head and knock the glasses off her face and escape with nominal punishment?

    This decision should be beyond coach Kevin Ollie's purview. This is bigger. This should come from university president Susan Herbst's office. Loudly and clearly: We do not tolerate that here. Not now, not ever.

    I have already seen the pathetic, if not hilarious, conspiracy theories on the subject. How Wolf's transgression made the front page of espn.com. Poor, persecuted UConn. As if players at other schools never do anything wrong. Oh, the humanity. Why do they torture us so?

    For one thing, Wolf's arrest is serious. This is a man putting his hands on a woman in anger. And so if you don't think Wolf deserves such notoriety, I hope your daughter never crosses him.

    This, too, is another negative UConn story for media outlets to dissect and compartmentalize. Among laptops, NCAA violations, NCAA sanctions and Nate Miles, UConn has earned a dreadful reputation outside state lines.

    UConn officials may bristle at that. Perhaps, however, it's time to stop complaining about what they've permitted.

    You know one way UConn could begin to recoup its reputation? By tossing Wolf out on his keister if all the allegations are proven.

    Plenty of dullards, perhaps in the terrorizing fear their Huskies will stop winning, like to dismiss all transgressions on campus as college kids being college kids. This wasn't Enosch Wolf caught smoking weed. This was Wolf alleged to have committed a violent act against a female student.

    Smoking Mary Jane is a kid being a kid. Grabbing and pushing Mary Jane is a violent act.

    And just so you know: This does not suggest Wolf doesn't deserve a second chance.

    Just not here.

    Once again so we're clear: This is all based on the accuracy of the police report. If Wolf is somehow innocent, it goes without saying he has a place on campus and on the team. But the report certainly appears detailed and thorough.

    It has been suggested that this is Kevin Ollie's first big test as UConn's coach. It shouldn't be. This has nothing to do with basketball. This has everything to do with deviant, unacceptable behavior. And it would apply to Joe Average Student as much as it applies to the tallest kid on campus.

    You do not place your hands on a woman in anger.

    Not now, not ever.

    And I can't imagine UConn wants to be the place that would permit such a thing. If Wolf's punishment is not complete expulsion, the message only fortifies the reputation that UConn men's basketball is the program where anything goes.

    I like the New UConn. I like how academic achievement applies to every athletic program. I like the new consciousness. It's time to stay consistent. If Wolf did what was alleged, put him on the first bus out of town.

    This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

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