The Journal

Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Sports

Davis

Senior Nick Davis was a part of Webster’s golf team for two years. While he admits he didn’t take the responsibilities of being a member of the team seriously at times, he doesn’t understand his dismissal from the program.
   

Davis was asked to leave the team at the end of the fall 2006 season. Associate Head Coach Andrew Belsky informed Davis it would be in the best interest of the team if he didn’t return. In an e-mail addressed to Davis, Belsky stated “a lack of work ethic, an inability to display an appropriate attitude for competing in an intercollegiate sport and a lack of respect for coaches and teammates,” as reasons for Davis’ dismissal.
   

“At first I was shocked,” Davis said. “I didn’t see this coming. I know that the coach and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but I never thought this would happen.”
   

Davis admits he sometimes showed up late and goofed off at practice, but said he doesn’t understand why he was dismissed. According to Davis, he was late for practices the first two semesters he played golf, but he didn’t miss or show up late for any practices the semester he was dismissed from the team.  
   

“I wasn’t given any warning or suspension,” Davis said.
   

In the e-mail Belsky sent to Davis, Belsky stated examples of the inability to display appropriate attitude. He cited “unneeded and disrespectful” actions at an NCAA meeting.
   

“I truthfully have no idea what Coach Belsky is referring to,” Davis said. “I was never told about any unneeded or disrespectful actions at any NCAA meeting.”
   

A couple of weeks passed and Davis didn’t hear from Belsky. Davis called Associate Coach Tom Heyer and asked if the two could meet and talk about Davis’ situation. Heyer agreed to meet. When Heyer showed up for the meeting, Coach Belsky was with him. Belsky didn’t say anything about the team meeting, but did tell Davis it would be best for the team if he didn’t return for the spring season.
   

Then, right before winter break, Davis met with Belsky. At this meeting, Davis was informed the team meeting wasn’t going to happen, through no fault of anyone. 
   

“It seemed like because I didn’t go above and beyond, that he (Belsky) was setting me up for failure,” Davis said.        
   

Coach Belsky and Coach Heyer declined to comment on Davis and his situation, citing it as an “internal matter.”
   

Athletic Director Tom Hart also would not comment on Davis and his particular situation. Instead, he said there are a variety of reasons why a student athlete might be removed from the team.
   

“Being a member of a team is nobody’s right,” Hart said.


“You’re expected to perform and meet certain expectations.”
   

After Davis was told he would not be welcomed back to the team, he posted a picture of Coach Belsky on his Facebook page. The picture had the word “sucks” written across it.
   

On Feb. 7, Davis received an e-mail from Coach Belsky asking him to remove the picture. Davis took the picture down. On Feb. 9, Davis showed up for his work-study job and found he had been terminated from the program.
   

Davis said he asked Coach Belsky if there was an issue in regards to his work study.
   

“I showed up every time,” Davis said. “Coach Belsky’s qualm with me was that I hurried up and tried to finish my tasks as soon as possible so I could leave. I always accomplished every task that was put in front of me.”
   

Not long after Davis was informed he would no longer be working in the athletic department for his work study, he received the e-mail that gave Belsky’s reason for his dismissal. The e-mail was sent to Hart, Assistant Director of the Webster Groves Main Campus Suzanne Jones and Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Ted Hoef.
   

In an interview, Hart said Facebook issues are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
   

“We don’t go out there hunting,” Hart said. “But, there are things out there that are brought to people’s attention that are thought to be inappropriate.”
   

Hart added that if any issue, not just Facebook issues, are brought to his attention, he will talk to the student before any action is taken.
   

“Sometimes there are eligibility issues, team expectations or sometimes it’s just not a good public relations play, for the department specifically,” Hart said.            


“It doesn’t matter if you are playing for the Blues or the Missouri Tigers or the Gorloks, there is going to be standards that are going to be expected.”

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