Southeastern CC (IA) dismisses 10 players, will forfeit remainder of season

The Southeastern CC men’s basketball program has removed 10 players for violating college and athletic department rules. As a result, Southeastern will forfeit the remainder of the season. They are currently 13-3.

Here is more from the school’s website:

The Southeastern Community College Men’s Basketball Team dismissed ten student-athletes on Thursday, December 29, due to violations of college and athletic department policy concerning student conduct.  The students will lose their scholarships.

The ten dismissed players are:  Marshaun Maull, Jordan Aaron, Nicos Norris, Davon Morton, Deonte Houston, Fahro Alihodzic, D’Lando Carter, Mike Hemsley, Elhadji “Bira” Seck, and Ron Patten Jr..

The dismissals result from conduct violations which occurred recently.

“I’m very disappointed in the actions of these young men. They each violated the SCC Athletic Code of Conduct,” said Head Basketball Coach Terry Carroll. “Sadly, these have been good kids who made some incredibly irresponsible and poor choices,” added Carroll.

Two additional players, Keenan and Keanu McGhee, will not return this spring semester due to academic ineligibility.

After the disciplinary dismissals and academic ineligibilities, the fourteen player roster was reduced to two. As a result, the Blackhawks must forfeit the remaining 12 games of the 2011-2012 season.

The two remaining eligible athletes, Tion Barnes and Taquan Zimmerman, are currently enrolled and set to return when the semester begins on January 11.

SCC Vice President of Student Services Joan Williams expressed her disappointment.

“When our athletes sign on to play for SCC, they agree to abide by a high standard of behavioral expectations. The recent acts of these young men fell short of that standard.”

Williams continued that once staff became aware of the students’ actions and were able to examine the facts of the case, the decision was swift and unanimous. “This kind of conduct by our students—especially our athletes—will not be tolerated.”

This sentiment also was expressed by SCC President Beverly Simone.

“The decision Coach Carroll and his staff made to dismiss the players affirms the College’s values of excellence and integrity. The winning tradition of Blackhawk athletics is respected throughout Southeast Iowa, the region and even the country. Choosing to hold our student-athletes to College values is not just the right thing to do, it is the only thing to do.”

Current season ticket holders may request a prorated refund for the remaining eight home games.

Carroll concluded, “These players have let down more people than just their remaining teammates.  I feel really sorry for our coaches, for the college, and for all the fans and supporters of Blackhawk basketball.”

Note:  Due to laws regarding confidentiality and student privacy, the college cannot disclose the facts of these cases.

Southeastern CC is a program rich in tradition. They won NJCAA D1 Men’s Basketball National Championships in 2000, 2003 and 2004. They were also the first junior college to reach 1500 wins. It had to be something extremely serious for a program to take such quick action and forfeit the entire season.

Check back for updates.

Update 12/30/2011:

Several sources have told JucoRecruiting.com that the 10 players were dismissed for breaking into the campus store and stealing various items. It’s unfortunate that 10 players would do this and jeopardize their academic and athletic careers.

The two players who were not removed for from the team will be allowed to come back to campus during the second semester and take classes while remaining on scholarship. These two are the ones who will be penalized the most for doing the right thing, especially Taquan Zimmerman (transfer from Long Island Univ.) who is a sophomore. Tion Barnes is a freshman and would have the option of staying in classes and coming back next season.