Deseret News | Utah Utes football: U. may rescind Kaufusi's scholarship

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Utah Utes football: U. may rescind Kaufusi's scholarship

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SLC | 9:20 a.m. June 3, 2008

It's nice to see personal behaviour become an issue with the Utes. In the past they have looked the other way. When you represent a school you have responsibilities and yes, you can change (repent), but here the pattern is too ingrained.

Cast The First Stone | 9:28 a.m. June 3, 2008

I think that it is a shame that we forgot we were all young once and that we All did some stupid things, I say let the coach and the player work this out. We ALL have said something at times to protect our friends not a smart thing but still the same we have All done it. Let those of you that have No Sin Cast The First Stone.

To Texas Cougar | 9:45 a.m. June 3, 2008

Huh? "the kid seems to be turning things around in his life". Where did you get that from? He's been in the news twice in the past 3 weeks...once because he's teetering on academic ineligibility and once because he's in trouble with the law. How is that turning things around in his life?

As rough as things may have been for him to this point, he was offered a future on a silver platter by Coach Whittingham and the Utes and this is how he "turns things around in his life?" Don't give me the "typical teenager" crap either. The typical teenager doesn't get arrested for suspicion of anything...least of all after having been given a chance to right what was wrong in his life. He's either 18 or close to it...plenty old enough to take matters into his own hands and "turn his life around". He's just chosen to this point not to.

Good move Utes and Coach Whit

Comments continue below

Jake | 9:46 a.m. June 3, 2008

This may be a blessing in disguise. Now you have a chance to go play with BCS conference. In the Mountain West Conference all you would have to look forward to is going to Laramie Wyoming in the middle of November.

Observer1 | 9:46 a.m. June 3, 2008

Yes, I did say an 18 year old needs to grow up, but that is completely obvious. The gist of my post was that the previous author needs some maturing. This is not a time to bash our rival's recruiting habits and I was merely pointing out that a Ute fan criticizing BYU for allowing players to repent is nothing less than the pot calling the kettle black.

TucsonUte | 9:56 a.m. June 3, 2008

It is hard to believe how some posters in here are turning Kyle Whittingham into the bad guy concerning this whole thing. Whittingham is in a no win situation because of the speed of the media these days. If he commits to stick it out with the young man he'll look like the Jerry Tarkanian of Ute football. If he doesn't make a comment concerning it, people will say he is playing both sides. When he came and said it didn't look like Kaufusi was going to be playing for the Utes--people get worked up about it.

As much as this kid could help the Utes, he would be high maintenance and every off season could be an unpredictable adventure with him. There is an old saying "past behavior usually predicts future behavior".

Just hope the kid gets his act together and finds a football future somewhere I just don't think it should be at Utah.

Teens & Responsibility | 10:05 a.m. June 3, 2008

After raising five teens and remembering my own
mistakes and misdeeds. I can say one thing for sure
"Teens do stupid things". We all did, most of you did and I surely did. Teens are young inexperienced people. They make bad decisions, they don't think things through--from which, they learn how to take
responsibility and grow. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON HOW MANY CHANCES A PERSON DESERVES. There may be a limit on how many chances a person gets for a full ride scholarship.
People let the system work and see what happens

Concast-hater | 10:14 a.m. June 3, 2008

No scholarship does not mean he can't play. Witt said it is doubtful he will be part of the program. Maybe the best thing for this kid would be to find another way to get tuition paid for so he can play ball at the U. You respect things you have to work hard for. Hanging out with friends with a gun is not a wise move either. He needs to decide what is more important-friends with guns or football and education. It blows my mind that some people would chose their lousy friends over a future.

Football Fan | 10:16 a.m. June 3, 2008

I am not surprised by the actions of this kid. I seen him play once last fall against Dixie. He is a very talented kid. However after every great play that he or one of his teamates made he would go over to the Dixie sideline and taunt them. He was penalized a couple of times costing his team and keeping Dixie in the game. He seems to think that he is entitled to act this way and then is surprised when he is treated like this. His step dad acts the same way being surprised that anyone would dare stand up to them.

Craig | 10:21 a.m. June 3, 2008

I am not sure how anyone can draw any conclusions from the scanty information in this article.

Bandwagons... | 10:29 a.m. June 3, 2008

It's easy to climb on and easy to fall off a bandwagon ï¿½ especially on a message board.

A few points to consider:
1 - Newspaper stories rarely capture all the facts and perspective and can only share what an editor considers most relevant. (Coach Witt is on the right track.)
2- 18 year old boys are prone to significant lapses in judgment and deserve to be cut a little slack.
3- 18 year old boys with poor judgment skills need extra responsible adult guidance and less freedom. (It's OK with the uncle that the nephew is out with alchohol and guns???)
4- Possesion or claiming possession of a firearm when mischief is afoot will nearly always convert stupidity into criminal activity in the eyes of the law. Without the firearm factor, it's likely none of us posters even know about this situation.
5- These kids ought to get some help, mentors, responsibility, etc. so that they don't end up wasting the opportunities they have.
6- Call it "repentance" or whatever, these kids can learn to make good choices resulting in positive consequences. They can also learn that athletic ability is not a free pass for bad behavior.

Mike R | 10:42 a.m. June 3, 2008

As much as I hate to defend the U and especially Wittingham, he did the right thing. It is all about ingegrity and doing what is right. Scholarships are earned. They are not a right, and a coach can expect that standards that he sets will be followed or no scholarship.

You can take the gangbanger out of the gang but you can't take the gang out of the gangbanger. Sounds like Kafusi needs to find new friends to hang around with. It appears he is hanging around with the same old gang boys.

MadMax | 10:54 a.m. June 3, 2008

The mark of maturity required to perform well as a college athlete mandates a sound decision making process. Keno K does not have such a process at this point as demonstrted by his recent past behavior - football play, HS academic history, lack of judgement in hanging with friends of dubious distinction, underage drinking and gun possession along with illogical and punk behavior. If even a portion of what has been reported is true his value to any football team is questionable.
Keni must commit to improving his thought processes. He must become accountable for his decisions. He must get his life in order. Football is way down the list of things he must do at this moment.
All you posters who have made this a byu vs. Utah thing ought to get a life. Both schools have had their share of bad apples recently. Some have changed their ways and been acceptted back onto their teams. Others have not made the appropriate changes and been permanently banished. Time will tell in this instance which way things will go. It is not a byu or Utah isue. It is character issue, a responsibililty issue, a maturity issue. Good luck Keni!

Hans | 10:59 a.m. June 3, 2008

I am a BYU fan, but I thought the decision was a bit premature. Maybe Coach Wittingham knows something we don't. The story does sound a bit fishy. As some have pointed out, playing football at Utah isn't going to make or break Kafusi if he is really a decent guy; there are other schools where he can get things together and still play at Utah one day.

To Bandwagons | 11:02 a.m. June 3, 2008

Finally, a poster with almost complete sanity. Your only point I don't totally agree with is #2. This young man has been given enough slack and opportunities to last a lifetime. He was cut some major slack a few weeks ago when Whit took a chance on him and his academic performance. He repays the trust and slack by getting arrested? Regardless of the facts, being arrested isn't a good use of slack!

Other than that though I think you're totally on track with your post. It's refreshing to see the voice of reason amongst the rest of us idiots!

Good post sir...well done.

@Joke 8:54 am | 11:03 a.m. June 3, 2008

I'm a BYU fan but saying "a lot of Utes are getting in trouble with the law" is a little over the top. I remember a DUI with a wide receiver last year and this episode with Kaufusi (who technically isn't even a Ute yet) over the past couple of years. Every school, when dealing with 18-22 year olds, has issues with students. Even my BYU athletic program has dealt with a DUI on the bball team, an assault charge, giving false information to a police officer, and the infamous water balloon-gate issues on the football team the past couple of years.

Whenever an athlete of either school gets in trouble, fans of the other side are quick to point out the "thugs" that exist at that school. However, those same fans seem to have more tolerance, forgiveness, and mistrust of law officers when it happens to their own athletes.

I think Whitt is doing the right thing. However, this is not the first, and will not be the last, incident with the law for athletes at both BYU and Utah. So, let's discuss the issues without getting into a BYU/Utah argument.

utefan | 11:12 a.m. June 3, 2008

If the handgun isn't his, then by his own admission he lied to a police officer. While some may say think it he was being a loyal friend and honorable to cover for friends in that situation, the reality is it shows a lack of maturity and he needs to question whether friends that would let him take the blame for something, for which Kafusi is allegedly innocent, are really his friends. His outright lie to a police officer (assuming he is now telling the truth that it was a lie) is plenty of justification for Whit to revoke the scholarship.

Sad Dad | 11:56 a.m. June 3, 2008

Kids need to be accountable for their actions. This kind of behavior is not acceptable and he needs to suffer a consequence and understand that he's not above the law. Coach W made the right decision.

Lie to an Officer...PLeeeease | 12:03 p.m. June 3, 2008

How about this "did you know you were speeding"?

I didn't know that was a hanging offense or there would be gallows everywhere.

deity | 12:05 p.m. June 3, 2008

none of this matters. sports don't matter.

California | 12:18 p.m. June 3, 2008

Kaufusi has much bigger fish to fry than to think he will be playing college football, like staying out of jail. A 21 year old of friend of mine just got out of 12 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and it was his first offense. He was simply sitting in the passenger seat and the 22 caliber gun was under his sit when the car was pulled over by the cops. This is a felony that follows you the rest of your life and reduces your opportunity for employment to 1 in a 1000.

Poly Coug | 12:44 p.m. June 3, 2008

I, too, am saddened by the course of events here. I rooted for Kaufusi for moving his life in a positive direction and for the opportunity he got with Coach Whit at Utah. It is not for any of us to judge him for the circumstances of this case. The legal system will do that. He made the mistake of covering for friends who should have fessed up for themselves. Shame on them! Even pro players suffer when they try to stay loyal to friends who just use them in the end. Learn from this my Poly brother - go away where you can make better friends with higher goals in life. Don't give up on college and football. Get through this and make something positive from your talent and hard work. You can be a positive role model to your so-called friends, but do it from a distance...a long distance. We have enough bad role-models in jail cells right now. Be an exception, not a statistic. Prove people wrong and make things right - you've come a long way, but you're still young and it's not too late right your course. We pray for your success Kaufusi!

BYU Fan perspective | 12:59 p.m. June 3, 2008

I am a Blue BYU Fan. I also want to praise the actions of Whittingham is standing by principles and integrity, although a lot of lesser schools would have tried to work it out. Way to go Kyle!

Kaufusi | 1:03 p.m. June 3, 2008

A man once said when faced with seemingly unsurmountable problems, "never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

Good Luck

Gary | 1:05 p.m. June 3, 2008

It seems that Mr. Kaufusi should have contacted Coach Whit as soon as he was released from jail, knowing of course that this would become a "media event." Then the coach would not be quoted as saying his information was based on a police report. Probably would not change things, but it would be the adult thing to do.

THANK YOU! | 1:15 p.m. June 3, 2008

Give me a break. Even if the charges are dropped this kid from C-HOOD High put himself in a position he should have avoided. I have raised three High school athletes. All of them went on to college in different sports and not once did I have to make excuses for them due to poor choices. They all knew if something was wrong or poor choices were being made to leave! I am glad I didnï¿½t have to bail my kids out of trouble. I did have to pick up my son and daughter from a party or two that went beyond a fun get together, but the made the correct decisions and left to avoid problems. KYLE AND THE U OF U thank yoU! I hope Kaufusi can learn from this but giving him a chance at the U just is not the way to teach him. Can you say Juco or D-3? Learn from your mistake and grow from it!

To Poly Coug | 1:39 p.m. June 3, 2008

Well put sir! That's 2 of the more intelligent posts here today...yours and Bandwagon's above.

Hilarious | 1:41 p.m. June 3, 2008

You all crack me up, Questioning the class of the coach and the program, 18 years old, had been drinking, possibly had a weapon or was with individuals carrying a weapon and you question the coaches decision to withdraw a scholarship calling him classless? If he was not guilty of something he would not have been booked into the county jail. I wish the kid the best of luck but given the circumstances of his closecall with grades and this current situation he needs to go. Good Job Kyle. I hope this kid can turn it around.

Utah man | 1:53 p.m. June 3, 2008

This is a shame,
I do however think coach Whitt made the right decision. As a Ute fan I think he is on a tight leash as a coach (regardless of his great job given all the injuries last season) and knows This season could make or break him as the Utes Head coach. He needs no more distractions than he already deals with. He cut ties and will drive on which is exactly what he needs to do.

Young and stupid apologists | 1:55 p.m. June 3, 2008

Some people think that being young and stupid gives you license to get away with anything without any consequences.

The same people think that growing up in a tough environment gives you a lifetime pass to get away with anything without any consequences.

Then they play the blame game by calling anyone who criticizes such people as "judgemental."

People who make mistakes need to learn from their mistakes. Removing the consequences of mistakes (which includes public criticism) removes the incentive to change.

Athletes who feed on public praise when they do well in sports should just expect that when they mess up, they're going to have to endure public scorn as well.

Most people, by nature, are forgiving, but only after the offender has shown that he's making genuine efforts to correct his behavior and make amends for his mistakes.

Instead of making excuses for Kaufusi, his true friends will help him to take full responsibility for his own behavior and learn from his mistakes.

Own up to It | 2:19 p.m. June 3, 2008

The bottom line is Kaufusi needs to be accountable for his actions. You made a serious mistake accept it and move on. Don't blame anyone else but yourself.

Its not the first time this has happened to an 18 year old athlete and it won't be the last. Last year ALL-State football player Paul Latu from Hunter H.S. had his share of run in's with the law and now he's playing JC. Kudos to Couch Whit the message has to be clear to these kids.

Re : Young and Stupid | 2:57 p.m. June 3, 2008

Well said......

The New Kyle | 4:07 p.m. June 3, 2008

Evidently the New K-Whit has much stricter standards. You can be convicted of under age drinking and DUI--Marquis Wilson--but you can't ride in a car with beer and a weapon--Kaufusi. What is he trying to show by making such a quick denunciation of this kid's (alleged) actions? He is so inconsistent and it translates onto his teams. Remember, everyone thought that the Duke lacrosse players were guilty too, the Police chief among them.

byu | 4:10 p.m. June 3, 2008

Hey anonymous didnt take long for a ute fan to write something stupid. And of course it has to involve byu. Good call coach whittingham.

Funny | 4:13 p.m. June 3, 2008

If it was BYU kicking him off the team Coach Mendenhall would not be getting kicked around like Coach Whitt is . . . . if it was BYU we would be talking about how the kid wasn't fully invested. Then we would hear about how a kid like that shouldn't be playing at BYU anyway. And you know what? They would be right! And a kid like that shouldn't be playing at the U either!!

He has had many chances to clean up and has failed to do so. I hope this final wake up call that may cost him a college playing career finally does it for him. Let's say congrats to the U for standing up for good standards!!

Stupid... | 5:00 p.m. June 3, 2008

Lets get this right... he says the beer is his and the gun that he did not know was there is his... then changed his story.

Now tell me, what exactly did Whitt do wrong?

He is traveling in a car with alcohol and a gun... the police find it... and your first thought is to cover for your friends, rather than let the owner of the car answer for it.

While Whit may not be the smartest guy even he can't ignore the fishy smell.

Chances are good this kid is spending some time in the poky sometime soon. Why have the program worried about that.

BigPoet | 5:06 p.m. June 3, 2008

To Anonymous:

BYU would require a "Godly Sorrow". In other words, no sinning today and playing tomorrow after repentance. Sorrow takes a while, and acceptable interval of time that is difficult to quantify in every case... not like Jesse Jackson deciding to immediately forgive himself after the press broke the story about his fathering a child out of wedlock and simultaneously committing adultery.

Reality Checker | 5:15 p.m. June 3, 2008

>a desire to cover for his friends who've been supportive of him

In other words, a desire to lie.

And, he should probably pick better friends.

His choices. His consequences.

RR | 5:20 p.m. June 3, 2008

I don't know how much of this story is true, but this appears to be a common theme in HS and college, as well as pro. They really need to teach athletes "How to destroy your dreams by going to clubs, bars, or other places." Even then, I'm not sure it would do much. These stories are so common, and they always get into trouble.

Why.... | 5:33 p.m. June 3, 2008

why why, silly kid? What a stupid way to ruined a great opportunity to obtain an education. The best of luck to you on whatever comes your way...:(....

Bad Story | 5:37 p.m. June 3, 2008

A good reporter would have interviewed the workers at Wendy's, the arresting officer, the coach, and maybe a witness or two. All we have is this kid's version of the story. Sounds suspect, but he hasn't been charged with a crime as of this story. I'll reserve judgement until all the facts get straight. However it turns out, I hope the kid can turn things around.

You're a local celebrity now kid, got to make better choices and friends because everything you do will be in the headlines. You're a D1 football player, high school is over.

Sorry Friends | 5:42 p.m. June 3, 2008

Sounds like his friends threw him under the bus to save their own skin. He needs to know as a D! football player, any infraction will be in headlines. Why would he take heat for a loaded gun that wasn't his? Why didn't they do the same for him knowing how much he had riding on the decision? What did they have to lose? What backwards logic. Or is he lying?

DUI prerequisite ?? | 5:55 p.m. June 3, 2008

Wilson is only 'one' athlete that seems to be above the rules. . . .Kaufusi just needs to get in line. . . .it's very sad that being arrested seems to be only as serious as being tardy to class was, back in the day. . . .GROW UP athletes. You're wasting not only your own lives, but you're robbing other athlete who'd DIE to have a shot at that wasted scholarship. . . . . .STEP UP, GROW UP, or do the TIME.

Cottonwood | 6:20 p.m. June 3, 2008

For what its worth. Scott Cate and his crew have provided Keni with an outstanding opportunity to change his life. If you can't make it at CWood with the support he gets from the people there, I don't think he is capable of changing.

oh cottonwood | 7:09 p.m. June 3, 2008

Let's see 1st the kid at colorado and now this ----boy this really speaks mounds about the kids coming out of the cottonwood program.TIME TO WAKE PEOPLE

Re:BYU fan persepective | 7:17 p.m. June 3, 2008

Kyle didn't do the right thing if this kid is innocent. To abandon a kid that might have all charges dropped just to look good for the program is the wrong thing. But I know at BYU it's all about appearnaces.

insight.... | 7:21 p.m. June 3, 2008

hey look at it this way? THE UTES JUST DODGED A GIANT BULLET..Kyle was stupid for taking him anyway....doesn't character mean anything to you UTE coaches? I watched you take a pass on a ton of kids that have more talent than this kid and you bet the farm on this?....the UTES deserve to lose.........Far better to be rid of this loser now than in mid season when his team needs him......Snow College would be fools to accept this guy....he belongs with the cons at the point of the mtn!

RE:Oh cottonwood | 7:22 p.m. June 3, 2008

So every missionary that gets sent home, and every athlete that gets in trouble lets find out the high school they came from and blame them. How bout the fact that both kids came from broken homes, and Cottonwood tried to help them. Never mind you wouldn't understand.

Gretzky | 8:39 p.m. June 3, 2008

hopefully BYU can pick him up, grayshirt him, get him on a mission or get him in their program. the U's loss. too bad. there must be more to the story that we don't know. is this a repeat offense in recent timetable of things?

study? | 8:58 p.m. June 3, 2008

Study at Snow? BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

What he would have done/will do at Snow is eat a lot of Malt Shop burgers and Fat Jacks breadsticks, then come up to the U.

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