Miami football recruit already fitting in at his new school!

[Dubya]

Anyone who regularly reads Bill Simmons column on ESPN's Page 2 should be familiar with Willie Williams. Williams is a highly touted linebacker who just signed with Miami. Before he signed, he kept a journal for his hometown newspaper about his recruiting visits which are comedy gold and can be found here...
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/high_school/7696869.htm
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/high_school/7757573.htm
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/high_school/7804726.htm
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/high_school/7857927.htm


Now it is being revealed that he kept the cops in gainesville pretty busy during his visit there :D
Article published Feb 5, 2004
UF FOOTBALL RECRUITING
Police kept busy on touted recruit's visit

Willie Williams apparently left a few things out of the weekly diary he wrote for a South Florida newspaper concerning his official recruiting visit to Florida last weekend.

Williams, the highly recruited linebacker from Miami Carol City High, had three sworn complaints filed against him after his weekend in Gainesville.

Two complaints were filed by the University of Florida Police Department and the third by the Gainesville Police Department.

On Wednesday, Williams signed with Miami.

"Sure it concerns us," Miami coach Larry Coker told The Associated Press regarding the complaints. "We'll look into it, we'll see what the attorneys say and we'll see what all the allegations are out there."

Florida coach Ron Zook, at his National Signing Day news conference, preferred to talk about the players who chose UF, but he did address the issue.

"Obviously, when we bring a student-athlete on campus, I'm responsible," Zook said. "We talk to our players, and from what I understand our players did a great job."

Asked if there was anything he would have done differently concerning Williams, Zook said, "Yeah, not bring him in."

The first incident occurred at 10:55 p.m. on Friday on the second floor of the Reitz Union on the UF campus. According to the UPD report, a female student was returning to the first floor after buying sodas and popcorn with her boyfriend. While the couple waited in the elevator lobby, she heard someone say, "Damn, you're good looking." As she turned to look, a black man approached her, grabbing and hugging her from the front.

She did not recognize the person and began to push away but he would not let go, according to the UPD report. When he finally did, the female told the person he was being disrespectful, to which he replied, "Who do you think you are? You're a dime a dozen."

Her boyfriend told police that one of the people with the suspect said: "He's a new recruit. Don't do this."

On Sunday, the female student identified Williams from a photo lineup, a sworn complaint for battery was filed and a trespass warrant was issued to Williams for all of campus that went into effect at the end of his recruiting visit.

Williams told police on Saturday night "that is how they do things down in Miami," according to the UPD report.

Williams was at the UPD station because of another incident that occurred at the Hilton Conference Center about 4 a.m. Saturday.

A UPD officer was dispatched to the hotel because a fire alarm went off on the fourth floor. There was no fire, but three extinguishers had been discharged in the hallway. The floor was evacuated and exhaust fans were brought in to clear the floor of extinguisher residue, according to the UPD report.

A witness told the officer that she saw two large black men running through the hall and that one was discharging the fire extinguishers while the other tried to stop him.

According to the UPD report, Williams acknowledged he discharged the extinguishers and was issued a sworn complaint for preventing or obstructing fire extinguishment, which is a felony.

The third alleged incident occurred early Saturday morning at the Royal Blue Night Club on NW 13th St. According to the GPD report, Akeem Thompson of Gainesville said someone began punching him for no apparent reason.

Thompson was treated at Shands Hospital for bruises on his cheek and a lacerated lip. The victim said he lost his watch, necklace and $200 cash during the fight.

Williams was interviewed at UPD and admitted hitting the victim. He was also identified by the victim and a witness from a photo lineup and a sworn complaint was issued for battery.

[Red Dog]

He sounds like a Hurricane circa 1987.

[weargle]

There goes the ACC.

[Quake1028]

Originally posted by Red Dog
He sounds like a Hurricane circa 1987.

Exactly. When are people going to stop pushing this image on the current Hurricanes teams.

[weargle]

When they stop acting like priviliged shits that get the world handed to them for playing a game.

[wildcatlh]

Originally posted by weargle
When they stop acting like priviliged shits that get the world handed to them for playing a game.

How the hell is that unique to UM? Or are you talking out of your ass?

[weargle]

Originally posted by WildcatLH
How the hell is that unique to UM? Or are you talking out of your ass?

I only talk out of my ass after a good Mexican meal, thank you very much :p ; I'm not saying, nor should you infer, that that situation is unique to UM. What I am saying is that Miami (FL) has a long and distinguished history of players, sthletic alums and recruits doing a bunch of stupid shit, getting caught and often getting away with it until the media catches hold. Free Shoes University is another school that is also guilty of the same type of crap.

[weargle]

Oh, and I just caught your sig too ....

[Flashback]

Originally posted by weargle
I only talk out of my ass after a good Mexican meal, thank you very much

rotfl

[POWERBOMB]

Nothing like filling out some paperwork at the local PD during your visit to your new school.

[Daryl]

More trouble for Willie (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/7887735.htm)

UM FOOTBALL
Williams' status in limbo because of legal troubles
Court records show Carol City star Willie Williams has been arrested 10 times and has been on probation since July 2002.
BY MANNY NAVARRO AND SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN
mnavarro@herald.com


Carol City High linebacker Willie Williams' controversial recruiting trip to Gainesville last weekend might have violated his probation, which could affect his status with the University of Miami.

According to court records provided online by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Williams has been arrested 10 times, and his involvement in three separate incidents in Gainesville last weekend might have violated his probation for a burglary that took place in Pembroke Pines in July 2002.

Williams, now 19, was a juvenile in every case, mostly theft related. He was tried as an adult at 17 for his last burglary arrest, when he pleaded no contest to a charge of stealing stereo equipment valued at $3,800 from Pembroke Pines Señor Stereo. He was set to finish his 18-month probationary period next Wednesday.

His future with UM, for which he signed a letter of intent Wednesday on national signing day, is unclear.

''The fact that he was involved in three incidents in a span of a few hours is serious trouble,'' said Gainesville state attorney Bill Cervone. ``If you combine the three incidents, he could get up to seven years [in jail]. As a first-time offender, that definitely wouldn't happen. But if he has a prior history, that's another thing. It would affect what we do.''

WILLIAMS QUIET

When reached by phone at his house Thursday evening, Williams said his lawyer had advised him not to talk. However, on Wednesday, Williams denied wrongdoing.

Public defender Paul Lazarus, who is representing Williams, said: ``Right now, he hasn't been charged or arrested. It assures that his [probation] hasn't been broken. The fact somebody has made an allegation against him doesn't mean it's a violation of [probation]. He's a fine young man, and I expect him to have a fine career at UM.''

UM spokesman Mark Pray said football coach Larry Coker was unavailable for comment Thursday. Athletic director Paul Dee said, ``We're still in the process of gathering information.''

Pray told The Herald that UM was ``not aware of any probation.''

''We do background checks, but they are limited because for the most part we are dealing with juveniles,'' Pray added. ``All prospective student-athletes are checked through their schools and the people who deal with them on a day-to-day basis.

``The reports on Willie were all very positive.''

Cervone, who noted it would take at least two weeks to press charges should his office decide to do so, said two complaints were filed against Williams on Wednesday and another is on its way. Two involve misdemeanor battery -- one for allegedly hugging a female against her will late Friday night and the other for allegedly punching a Gainesville man about three hours later at a downtown night club early Saturday.

The third complaint, according to police reports, involves Williams allegedly discharging three fire extinguishers at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center and classifies as a felony. The police reports say Williams was identified in photographs by Joanna Braganza and her boyfriend David A. Cohen, as well as by Akeem Thompson, the man he allegedly punched at the nightclub. Police said Williams admitted to hugging the girl and discharging the extinguishers.

It is unknown how much UM coaches know about Williams' legal history or if they are aware Williams attended Bay Point, a boarding school for teenage juvenile delinquents, for one year.

Williams, 6-2 and 230 pounds, is a Parade All-American listed by recruiting analysts as the nation's No. 1 outside linebacker. The Carol City coaching staff confirmed he is a full academic qualifier with a 1070 SAT score and a 3.0 GPA.

''Our admissions office does have a lot of confidence in what the athletics department is doing in recruiting students,'' said Ed Gillis, UM director of admission. ``Obviously, [coaches are] very concerned with the character of young men and young women they have to work with for four or five years. It's not in their best interest to bring in people who are trouble.''

Gillis said if it is known a student or potential student has been convicted of a crime, an investigation is done through the dean of students office. ''We always have the right to withdraw an offer of admission for the right reasons,'' he said.

This is not the first time a UM recruit has run into trouble after signing day. In 2002, Miami Edison linebacker Nate Harris was charged with a first-degree felony for his involvement in an armed robbery. He served six months in a boot camp, lost his scholarship and now plays at a junior college in Oklahoma.

[POWERBOMB]

It would piss me off if I was having this many problems with my Willie.

[Red Dog]

Arrested 10 times? -eek- I don't think I could try and get arrested 10 times.

[Kaffe_02]

He will fit in good with thoes UM boys.

Glad FSU didnt get him.

;)

[Red Dog]

Warrant issued for Hurricanes recruit Williams

By Craig Handel, The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press

MIAMI — Less than a week after signing a football scholarship with the University of Miami, Miami-Carol City high school linebacker Willie Williams could find himself in jail.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Williams, 19, who has been accused of violating his probation while making a recruiting visit to the University of Florida 10 days ago. Paul Lazarus, Williams' attorney, expects that warrant to come down Tuesday or Wednesday.

"They could arrest him at anytime, but we told the probation officer he's going to surrender," Lazarus said. "We're waiting for guidance from the court."

Lazarus said he filed a motion for a self-surrender by Williams on Monday.

"If the judge grants the motion, he'll tell us when and where to surrender," Lazarus said. "If (Williams) waits for a court date, he could wait for days in jail." (Related item: Williams' attorney braced for battery charge)

Miami athletic Paul Dee said in a statement: "We are aware of the developments that occurred (Monday). We continue to monitor the situation and gather information, so we will be in the best position to make our evaluation of this matter."

Miami football coach Larry Coker didn't return a phone call. It is possible he could rescind the scholarship offer, even though Williams signed it.

Voice mail on Williams' home phone said there was no more room for messages. Donna Williams, Willie's mother, hung up the phone when called.

On Jan. 30 during a recruiting trip to the University of Florida, Williams hugged a woman without her permission and proceeded to trade insults with her boyfriend. He was later charged with misdemeanor battery by Gainesville, Fla., state officials. That led to the arrest warrant being issued in Broward County, where Williams is on probation for pleading no contest to felony burglary. In July 2002, he was accused of stealing $3,800 of stereo equipment from a store.

Wednesday, Williams' 18-month probation from that offense ends. He now may face up to five years in prison, the maximum on the burglary charge, for violating his sentencing agreement.

Besides hugging the woman, Williams also had criminal complaints filed in Gainesville for assaulting a man at a nightclub and turning on three fire extinguishers. Williams admitted he turned on the extinguishers but publicly said he didn't assault a man. Lazarus said his office is investigating that complaint.

After returning from the Florida recruiting trip, Williams was quoted in a Miami Herald story making a number of negative comments about his visit. He called the area "farm-like."

Lazarus said the speed of the warrant being issued is due to the fact that it must be served before Williams' probation ends Wednesday.

"Mr. (Bill) Cervone (the Gainesville state's attorney) felt that as a law enforcement officer, he had an obligation to at least give Broward County an opportunity to look at it," Lazarus said.

Lazarus isn't optimistic his client's legal matters will be resolved without jail time.

"No, I'm not confident," he said. "They have complete discretion in Broward County. Violation of probation is very frowned upon. We're hopeful people can see that until this trip to Gainesville, he virtually completed his 18 months of probation without any incidents."

Also working against Williams is his 10 previous arrests from 1999 through 2002, mostly on burglary and theft-related charges. Miami officials said they were unaware of the arrests and Dee acknowledged that not enough background checking was done.

"This has to be looked at in its totality," said Lazarus, who referred to Williams' activities in Gainesville as high school high jinx. "This is not to say they weren't serious. But if it was not Willie Williams and if he was not on probation, this wouldn't be anything."

Lazarus feels the best thing for Williams would be for him to keep his scholarship so he could play under Coker.

"We know Miami has a wait-and-see approach," Lazarus said. "There are forces at Miami who would like to see him there. But there are other considerations. We are hopeful they take him as a student and athlete and that he will prosper under them."

[Maxwell Smart]

Least, he didn't say "I'm a ****in soilder!"

[ColdBlue]

Originally posted by Red Dog
He sounds like a Hurricane circa 1987 - .

Fixed :D

[Jeremy517]

Coker should rescind his scholarship offer in convicted.

One could argue that they should do it <i>now</i> based on his previous arrests, but it is probably Coker's staff's fault for not catching those.