First and foremost, we want to thank Ryan Harrison and Donald A Bosch for reaching out to us to clarify some of the information that has been published in this article.
Harrison has stated, contrary to our original sources and publication, “During my time at UT i have never tested positive for any illegal substances and have taken many drug tests for the university, just like any other student athlete.”
Donald A Bosch also confirmed a previous update with the following statement, ” I stand by and confirm his [Harrison’s] account of his suspension from the UT swimming program for the balance of the season for a violation of team rules.”
While Harrison’s and Bosch’s statement eases some of the anxiety, the men’s program at Tennessee has been through a roller coaster ride this past week with Tuesday’s dismissal of Men’s head coach John Trembley.
Harrison’s suspension is sure to effect the overall team’s performance as he finished 10th at last year’s NCAA Championships, and his 1:32.38 from a mid-season meet was the third-fastest in the country during the 2010-2011 season. He also finished the season with the country’s 5th-best 500 freestyle time.
This year, Harrison was expected to be the anchor of the Tennessee team at the year-end Championship meets. He’s also expected to be a 2012 Olympian representing his native Ireland, and is the Irish National Record holder in the 100, 200, and 400 freestyles.
In addition to the loss of Harrison, UT’s program suffers the loss of Senior Anders Storvik who has been removed from the roster. Storvik, an Austin native, was a member of the Volunteers’ 12th-place 800 free relay at NCAA’s last year, with a best time of 1:36.2 in the 200 free.
Don V. Mike. Great writing both of you. I give the decision to Don. Too bad we’re dealing with a lot rumour/conjecture instead of evidence. If UT gave us more than “…violation of team rules” or if Harrison said more than “…I have never tested positive blah blah blah” we would be in a better position to judge but no one is saying anything more on the record so this story doesn’t seem to have any more legs.
One one hand I remember how wrong most of us were after the initial reports from Duke with their lacrosse players so I hesitate to judge too harshly until more light is shed on this story.
Great week coming up with Austin… Read more »
Is Ryan training and if he is, where?
Don, yes I can say that. Realize that most schools drug testing policies, here is UT’s http://www.utladyvols.com/inside-ut/2010_drug_policy.pdf have a stipulation in which a “first offense” is a slap on the wrist. Not that I agree with it, but maybe you should realize that in order to be kicked off a team for a failed drug test at UT it takes at least 3 within a year. If he were dumb enough to not get the hint the 1st time, then it’s his fault. The original post is what is wrong with media/reporters these days, in that they publish something before they really know the whole story; that’s all I am saying. Also you need… Read more »
Mike..Really? Can you honesltly say, with a straight face, that you think a high profile,program making swimmer at the University of Tennesse or most other top 20 program schools(not talking Harvard here) that is less then 2 months away from the 2 biggest meets was suspended for either grades, class attendance, practice attendance, community service participation,or study hours requirements?
Look SC has done a good job and it is commendable that they provide an opportunity for the principles to “clarify”the information.As you point out, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
BTW, is Bosch on a retainer for UT athletics? Busy, busy man.
Just an FYI…suspensions can happen for a wide variety of reasons, including but not limited to, grades, class attendance, practice attendance, community service participation, study hours requirements, etc. So before anyone slanders a young adult and makes him guilty of failing multiple drug tests, maybe you should wait until you hear it straight from the horses mouth. Remember everyone is innocent until proven guilty…..
Amen Weak Sauce..no mea culpa here..
And what might those violations be pray-tell? Im pretty sure it wasn’t a curfew issue..Back to my original question, Why would a swimmer of Harrisons caliber put himsel in a position that would require a coach to suspend him when SEC’s and Ireland OT’s are less than 2 months away?
Wow Ryan, really? That’s such weak sauce. Anyone with a brain knows what’s going on here. I’m sure that Bosch is a fine attorney (also representing Trembley. Hmmm – going after all of the sites who are covering your client are you??). And as a fine attorney, he’s well aware that TSC doesn’t have the resources to fight a defamation case, so he makes big elaborate threats towards them, knowing that they’ll back down. Sounds similar to what he was accused of doing with that judge – intimidation. Classy.
Funny, I heard a similar story as the original from a CAPTAIN of the Tennessee team. If captains are making up those kind of lies about their teammates, then Tennessee is… Read more »
Wow. Entire program seems like it is falling apart in the span of a week or two. What a crazy chain of events taking place. Hope that those who have done nothing wrong receive nothing less than understanding and support in this difficult time.