Duke Crews has always been willing to share his opinions, and now that he's leaving Knoxville, he has one more thing to say to the Tennessee men's basketball fans.
"I want to say thank you,'' Crews said on Saturday, a day after it was announced that the sophomore forward along with sophomore point guard Ramar Smith will not return to UT next season. Violations of UT's substance-abuse policy and academic shortcomings contributed to both departures, sources within the program told the News Sentinel.
"I want to thank each and every one of the Tennessee fans that stayed behind me through my suspension and heart issue,'' said Crews, who was suspended for a month before the start of the season for a violation of team rules and missed nine games due to a heart condition. "It will be very tough letting them go, they are the greatest fans, and I want them to know I enjoyed every minute of this.''
The 6-foot-7 sophomore forward said he plans to transfer to another major Division I school, and that his academics are in order for him to do so in good standing.
"This was something that me and Coach (Bruce) Pearl agreed was best for my career and for the program,'' Crews said. "I don't really like the way it's all coming out, but I realize that not everything that happened for me since I came here was positive.
"I just feel a new start would be good because there's been so much little stuff, and it adds up.''
Crews said his feelings toward Pearl and the Vols remain the same.
"I'll always appreciate my coaches and teammates,'' he said. "I don't blame anyone but myself for where I'm at.
"But the big thing in life is to learn from your mistakes, and I've learned things at Tennessee that I'll take with me for the rest of my life.''
Crews also left some lasting memories as a player with his emotional style of play, throwing down monster dunks and providing clutch play off the bench last season.
"I came here (UT) to accomplish something, and I'm proud I was able to help make some positive things happen,'' Crews said. "I hope whatever school I go to will play Tennessee, because I would like to play in Thompson-Boling (Arena) one more time.''
Crews said he'll return to his home in Hampton, Va., at the completion of spring term classes before the recruiting process starts once more for him.
Crews was recruited by North Carolina and Georgetown, among many others, coming out of high school.
"I'm just glad we can all move forward, and I'm still going to be playing basketball,'' Crews said. "I'll be watching Tennessee next season and pulling for them.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 58
threehundredbowler writes:
Darn.Stupid is as stupid does.
thesavageorange writes:
Good luck Duke.
AllLadyVol writes:
We're sorry to see you go, Duke, but we hope this is the beginning of a fresh start in your life and wish you much success both as a player and person.
GerryOP writes:
What AllLadyVol said... Duke, God bless and God speed...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Man, reminds me of some of the fandangoes I've been thru. Can't help but hurt for this young man.
Duke, life is a winding road.....
vol4good#206163 writes:
Sorry guys, but I must call BS here on crews. If the man really loved TN as much as he is making out, he could have stopped smoking weed for his time here. As for him transfering to another D1 school, which school out there needs a dope head power foward that can play like hell for 3 min and then disapear for the rest of the game? Sorry Duke, but your heartfelt goodbye is weak and not accepted by me at least--Dont let the Door hit you on the ARSE on the way out!
vollady writes:
Duke, each time you are tempted to get down, try to remember your team mate Chris. Let him be an example of how to stay strong and overcome. It takes strength and determination but you can do it. I wish you well in your career of basketball. Nobody can dunk like Duke Crews. Good luck.
rclarkvols#224537 writes:
I am glad the young man is trying to exit with some sense of dignity by not slamming the program or the coaches an acknowledging his mistakes. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone! Good luck Duke and thanks for helping coach Pearl get this ball rolling by signing with the Vols 2 years ago and by leaving without publicly downing the program.
bigbluevol writes:
Good luck to him. He has acknowledged his fallability and fault and has done so without animosity. The least we can do is wish him the best without criticizing him. I hope that he gets everything in order and goes on to have success wherever he winds up. I know that I will be rooting for him.
Phowell23 writes:
Transfer to Indiana...I hear they are needing some players badly.
Chainsaw writes:
I hope he can get it together and make something positive out of this. Same for Ramar.
GreerVol22 writes:
I wish him the best, but I really don't think he gives a shi+. Toooo much hood leads to no good.
bricker865 writes:
Most of the commments so far are heart felt. As for the others, unless you've never done anything wrong in your life shut the hell up. He's probably 20 years old and the punishment fits the crime. It's over with and time for everyone to move on.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Duke isn't from the "Hood". Bethel High school sits almost in York County. It is a very nice, affluent area of Tidewater. The Hood wouldhave been Hampton or Kicatan, even Warwick or Pheobus.
WIththat said I think his farewell comments were well said, and an effort to help him be "presentable" to another program.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Title of the article: "Crews won't 'blame anyone but myself'"
Why make it so hard on yourself young man? Blaming someone else is so much easier! Look, the university's head football coach is the perfect scapegoat for blame. His name is Phil Fulmer in case you didn't know. If anyone asks, tell them you were good friends with Lamarcus Coker and he got you hooked. Tell them that Lamarcus said coach Fulmer would take care of things if you got caught. Tell 'em Lamarcus and CPF had your back, but when Lamarcus was kicked off the team everything went wrong.
Everyone's built in pillar of blame, go for it!
rray044#360255 writes:
vol4good: Your insights were valid but that last line was tasteless. At least Duke showed some class in the end.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
bricker865; I have a problem with blowing things like this off to the inexperience of youth! We have teenagers serving in combat right now, that would have loved to have the priveledges that Duke has received. If that can't be impressed on our Student Athletes we reallly need to look at why.
DUke knew exactly what was at stake, the opportunity to make a run at the NBA from a major D-1 School, that is presently on the National Stage.
This attitude of they are kids, and kids will be kids is incorrect. That was over back in 10th grade for these guys.
Gigavol writes:
Good luck, Duke!
jasvol writes:
Posters: It's too early for a final judgement to determine if his comments were genuine. Give him a couple of years. I give him credit for taking the first step: accepting responsibility but his actions will determine his ultimate fate. Which is his success on and off the court. I don't know him nor do any other posters. So, you can't predict his outcome. Just give Crews a word of encouragement, support and say thank you for selecting our University. (Sure, most of us here made the same mistakes...only we didn't get caught, nor did we have a full scholarship to live up to.) Give Crews a break.
globadoc writes:
He or she among us who didn't screw up somewhere when we were in our 20s (or earlier), raise your hand. The only difference between Duke and most of us is that our foibles were not broadcast in the paper for 100,000 interested parties to comment from their thrones of indignation.
Good luck, Duke! I wish you the best and hope you land somewhere that appreciates your considerable talent on the court.
BillVol writes:
You have the right attitude, Duke. Best wishes.
drakosben1#216420 writes:
the druggies from the sixties, the cowards who would not admit consciencious objection and who would not fight in Vietnam, who smoked their dope and called Woodstock their home, are the ones who helped introduce WEED to our society are at the contradiction in which our citizens and players get caught up in a lot. The love generation will, will not, admit their faults for our people to come clean, but still blame us for being Americans. Vote these hoots out of office, clean up your society, and then, just maybe then will people have the internal strength and support of enough people to say NO, and to turn these drug dealers in to the authorities. KNS could do us all a favor if they would endorse such actions. May our words and actions help those who would help themselves and others also.
drakosben1#216420 writes:
two more scholarships to give, i really hate it for these guys, you learn to love them, respect them, pull for them, and then something like this happens. Heaven sure will be nice, and until then, THE BEAT GOES ON!
dc4 writes:
ladyvolseighttimes...you can say a lot of things about duke, but one of them is not that he isn't from the hood. the kid was tough and athletic, but one of the most ghetto dudes to don a Tennessee uniform.
dc4 writes:
ladyvolseighttimes...you can say a lot of things about duke, but one of them is not that he isn't from the hood. the kid was tough and athletic, but one of the most ghetto dudes to don a Tennessee uniform.
reg_mza#219136 writes:
I'm going to say it the way it needs to be said. I'm DISAPPOINTED in you Duke. The TN Basketball family (program, staff, fans) was let down by you and this is something we take very seriously. We had hopes for you as well as for the family and that took a shot by your actions. I am proud of your accountability though and that goes to say a lot about your character, even with the mistakes made in the past.
However, like family, we wish you no ill will or hold any resentment and do hope you find your way, find your niche, and get back to enjoying basketball somewhere again soon. I know I'll personally keep an eye out in the fall of 2009/spring 2010 to see if I can find any press clippings of how you are doing.
utucla writes:
I am always amazed at how people are sorry for their actions only after they are caught. If Duke would have come forward before he got caught and said that he was sorry for smoking weed or not going to class, whichever the case may be, then I would tend to believe he is truly sorry. If he hadn't been caught, I'm sure he would have continued doing whatever he was doing that put him in this position. The only thing he is sorry about, is that he got caught. Everyone deserves a second chance, but I'm sure like CBP said, it was more than one or two incidents that caused his dismissal. The rules are in place...screw up once...okay...twice?....three and four times?...it's time to leave. A total lack of respect for your team mates. You basically said "to hell with them"....my personal behavior is more important to me than they are....maybe he'll learn from this....we'll see.
AppreciativeAlum writes:
Some people smoke dope when they are looking for a way out and don't see one. It is kind of frustration response as is... base training. People legitmately look for an out when things going forward don't look so well posed. Often another path is the right decision. I don't know which other avenues to another path were avilable, but both these guys seemed like good kids.
Singlewingleftguard writes:
I will be pulling for you to make it big where ever you land. I enjoyed watching you play. Very many of my friends also wish you well.God Bless
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Wow, what an impressive and class "adios." We wish you the best, Duke.
STAY OFF THE WEED, MAYBE????
GerryOP writes:
Two days ago we heard Chris Lofton's story. Prior to him sharing with us his painful, personal ordeal, many chastised and criticized his performance. Some said bench him, others said he had senioritis. Then the truth came out ....
Another University of Tennessee athlete has stumbled and fallen. He has acknowledged his failures. And again, those only interested in judging and critcizing the failures of others are passing judgement without really knowing what may be the true story.
God bless and God speed Duke. Ask for forgiveness and move on.
GreerVol22 writes:
Gerry, I admire your optimism. However, like Colquitt, no one bent his elbow for him. He made a choice to disrespect his coach, his team, and his fans and until he was caught, thought that it was OK. I certainly don't wish any ill will towards him, but if he doesn't really care, then neither do I.
with idols like this....
http://theoddsandsods.com/2008/04/25/...
bricker865 writes:
No condoning anything...just giving him a chance to resurface somewhere else and see if he can change his ways. Like I said earlier the punishment fits the crime but no need to wish someone bad luck down future paths (like a couple of posters).
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Whatever one may think of the reasons why Duke is leaving, I for one am rather impressed by his parting words. Even if they are just a cynical ploy, they show a maturity--however lately arrived at--that is rare among young, high-profile athletes. In other words, even if he is being insincere--and I have no reason to believe he is--he at least shows awareness that his actions have consequences and that he is responsible for them. I prefer, until given reason to believe otherwise, to take him at his word, thank him for his contributions, and wish him well in his future endeavors.
snoopbob87 writes:
To UT and colleges across the USA. The choices that are being made by our young men in college sports are showing poor judgement. College officals need to develop numerous classes to teach right from wrong. Consequences of poor judgement and dealing with adolence life. We cannot assume students are reaching college life with knowledge of tools for making decisions. Coaches attempt to teach right from wrong themselves, but much more is needed. A professional academic staff, with college level credited courses, must be employed. Otherwise we will continue to read stories about young men who don't seem to be able to use good judgement.
dvols writes:
way to own it duke, we as the university of tennessee need to figure out a new way to help our young athletes!
TommyJack writes:
What bricker865 said. He got punished, he (Duke) took it like a man, he's moving on. Why wish him ill will?
miamiVOL writes:
GL in your future but you will never play in TBA again or practice in that fabulous Pratt Facility
ajbake writes:
Duke and Ramar: Come to Indiana... We need you!
waterskier3#226480 writes:
well sounds like the football and the basketball team like the weed...... its funny pearl kicks them off for good and fulmer suspends players for spring practice or a pick up game........
oh well losing them will make it tough next year...
DSaVol writes:
I hope the best for these two but the fact is they were each given far more than reasonable opportunities and support to do the right thing - and they didn't. In this day and age there is absolutely NO REASON to fail a drug test other than pure stupidity or just not caring. If one choses not to take the correct path and just quit toking, there are still far too many ways to "appear" clean even when you're not. Academically, the fact is that, like so many others, neither had any preparation to be in a college classroom. That said, neither made much more than a cursory effort to use the opportunity given to them to ensure the rest of their lives would be as productive as possible. Both had nothing more than getting to the NBA in their heads - thoughts born from years of listening to those closest to them blow smoke up their a$$ - and again like so many others neither will ever see an NBA bench without buying a ticket. This is just another sad story of guys throwing away what may well be the best and perhaps ONLY real opportunity they'll ever have to change their lives. However, while it is sad, I have no sympathy for those that willingly reject that opportunity.
TommyJack writes:
The "pro weed" crowd on here keep saying that the doobie just makes you mellow and calm....Maybe Ramar wasn't smokin enough to mellow his "tude", hmmm?
dopedawg writes:
sorry to see you go Duke, Ramar. Smoking weed has got to go. Its a depressant and cannot be of any use to anyone in athletics. Slowing the body down is not good in a high speed sport like basketball, which sometimes relies on quick reaction. Good luck guys!!
AlpharettaVol writes:
I would have thought that the heart problem scare might have convinced Duke that you need to live each day like it could be your last. I know he came a long way to be a part of a major basketball program, but his actions here show that he still has a ways to go. Hope he makes it.
invisiblekid writes:
Best of luck to Crews and Smith wherever they go. Hopefully, the opportunities they have blown away will turn into one of life's lessons that sticks with them. As far as excuses go or anyone else to blame, there aren't any, it was bad decisions by both and now they have to live with the results of those decisions.
TommyJack writes:
Geoff: Groovy, right on, and solid. :)
TommyJack writes:
Geoff: I think that was eVolution and agentorange.
MillisaAnn writes:
I agree also with AllLadyVol,Duke I pray that you get yourself right with God.
budrhon writes:
John 8:7
marinevol writes:
Did I just read a post (drakosben1 @1:31 am) where someone was blaming the 1960's draft-evaders for this? Wouldn't this group include our last two presidents? I hope that the rest of the basketball players don't get their hands on what that guy is smoking or we won't have anybody left.
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