Thoughts on the Haley Fagan Tim Walton Altercation?

[cobb_of_fury]

LB - I agree whole heartedly with the first part of your post - but then you said this:

... She's lucky that one of the Florida players didn't come up and cold cock her for pushing her coach. Or, it will be interesting to see if she gets a fast ball in the ear hole later in the season. How is that for "earning" respect?

That seems to be the antithesis of your first point - you are essentially saying FLA would be justified in starting a physical altercation because of this incident - Both of the scenarios you mention would be worse than the original incident as Fagen's reaction was emotional and those would be intentional.

 

[daboss]

He already had indicators there was a problem there yet he pursued it by trying to force the issue. He was wrong. She was disrespectful but he should never have taken it to that level. What does he care if she has an attitude towards him? She plays for the other team! Grow up Walton and act like you have some sense instead of acting like some dumb jock that just got his ego bruised. I'm sure this isn't the first player to ever dislike you and after this it might be the beginning of players for other teams trying to get under your skin for a loooong time. You are going to wish this never happened much more than she'll ever worry about it.

 

[wow]

Walton is a grown man. Shes a player and kid, yes even at 22. Anyone else remember when they were 22? Not defending the player. But the coach actually caring and then reacting by shoving her because she did not slap hands? SAD really. Walton needs to get over himself and his stupid looking hard hat DQ sundae hat he wears. He's a full grown man. She's a female. Enough said. The coach/player qualification is of no substance.

The responsibility is on his position as a head coach and how he represents university he coaches for. Character matters, especially as a head coach!

Had this happened off the field how would it have been interpreted?

 

[Long Baller]

LB - I agree whole heartedly with the first part of your post - but then you said this:



That seems to be the antithesis of your first point - you are essentially saying FLA would be justified in starting a physical altercation because of this incident - Both of the scenarios you mention would be worse than the original incident as Fagen's reaction was emotional and those would be intentional.

No, I am not saying that FLA would be justified, or that I condone retaliation. The meaning behind my comment is that if she chose to escalate the conflict, then she needs to be aware of what may happen in the next progression of the escalation. I could totally see FLA teammates, who has the utmost respect for her coach, running to his defense and getting some shoves of her own in on Fagan.

And lets face it....regardless of Walton's intentions, the only reason it made the highlight reels is because of Fagan's reaction. The amount of contact that he made with her shoulder, nobody would have thought that it was anything other than accidental if she didn't react the way that she did.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

LB - you are correct this would have gone unnoticed had Fagen just gave a look and walked on -
But my interpretation of the situation is this : Walton was unhappy with the loss combined with this GIRL whom he knows dislikes him walking past him for the third day in a row not acknowledging him in the hand shake line. He nudges her - Not hard but enough for her to know that he is displeased with her actions and I think daring her to react - to prove him right and to justify him that the family can't control there emotions and she fell right in to it.

If I were Auborn Coach Clint Myers - I'd suspend Fagen for a game for letting Walton get to her.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

Lets play this game -

How would this whole thing been different had this been Baseball?
What about if it happened in football?

 

[Long Baller]

Lets play this game -

How would this whole thing been different had this been Baseball?
What about if it happened in football?

In the testosterone fueled arena of male sports, this would have caused a bench clearing brawl.

 

[Long Baller]

Or how about another question:

With all the negative opinions of Tim Walton in this thread...Would anyone refuse to let their DD play at Florida now because of this "incident"?

 

[cobb_of_fury]

I would be leery of This incident (because this is not the only incident) but if my daughter was good enough to play at FLA -

I'd have her look at schools with the best education possibilities in what she wants to do with her life - I would never want her to go to a school JUST because of the softball program.
I have no Idea what FLA's education profile looks like it may be very good - I don't know - but Great softball program does not top her must have list.
and if FLA fit the bill educationally I would still encourage her to look at other schools because I don't like Walton.

 

[manitoudan]

Is Fagan that full of herself? Is it that hard to just go through the motions? I know there is history between Walton and her sisters, but does she think that "He kicked my sisters off his team 5 years ago, so he's going to try and diss' me here?" Or that he is thinking " I kicked her sisters off my team, watch me show her up right here?" Judging by her team mates reactions, they must've thought she was in the wrong.

Btw, I am not sticking up for Walton as I hate all of the Florida teams, but there was a whole lot of Nothing going on right there.

Yeah i gave you a thumbs down, Didnt think the player was " that full of herself" I dont agree with her NOT shaking hands but I'll not set here and take up for Walton , his actions and half baked " apology" were bogus . I just think you are wrong and you can thumbs down my post , its a big world full of friendly disagreements .. several college girls on my own team thought Fagans was the one out of line . I sure didnt.

 

[manitoudan]

There are many bad adults out there...and you can be as big of an ass at 40 as 22. Respect is earned period... Now in this case, it may fall under sportsmanship on both where you go through the motions so everyone feels happy...

Looks like the coach took the high road in the end...

http://www.oanow.com/sports/college...cle_981d7a72-13ca-11e7-b989-bf5d7df6bfc9.html

http://www.oanow.com/sports/college...cle_981d7a72-13ca-11e7-b989-bf5d7df6bfc9.html

That apology was about the furthest thing in the world from taking the high road IMO . He INTENTIONALLY attempted to rub it in , they have a long and very intense personal history , he knew the no shake was coming , as the previous two games this same exact scenario had already happened , so the third time through the line he " accidentally " gives Fagan a shoulder nudge , and YES he reached out to nudge her . The player was wrong , after doing it once I'd told her either you shake or you sit . But that doesnt come close to excuses his actions and the bogus apology . I'd been far more satisfied if he would have just sad " sorry it happened , it will never happen again" as opposed to a flimsy lie .

 

[thestuff142]

Many of the posts and reactions to this thread are the exact examples of what is wrong with America today (opinion). Kids today have no respect...no fear...do not care at all what others think at the end of the day...and the parents have groomed that behavior. I watch it daily.

She WANTED a reaction...HOPED for a reaction. She got what she wanted.
She is NOT a child...she is an adult attending college. Where is her standard of behavior?

Forget what the player did...the blatant disrespect shown... and put it all on the adult...that's how today's parents roll in our world.

Did he handle it correct on his end? NO!
Was his apology smarmy and contrived? Yep.

If she could not shake hands and show sportsmanship to all...she should not have done it at all. It still looks bad if you don't shake hands, but no "incident" happens. Or...swallow your ego for 3 seconds and give high 5 and don't say a word and keep on moving.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

Many of the posts and reactions to this thread are the exact examples of what is wrong with America today (opinion). Kids today have no respect...no fear...do not care at all what others think at the end of the day...and the parents have groomed that behavior. I watch it daily.

She WANTED a reaction...HOPED for a reaction. She got what she wanted.
She is NOT a child...she is an adult attending college. Where is her standard of behavior?

Forget what the player did...the blatant disrespect shown... and put it all on the adult...that's how today's parents roll in our world.

Did he handle it correct on his end? NO!
Was his apology smarmy and contrived? Yep.

If she could not shake hands and show sportsmanship to all...she should not have done it at all. It still looks bad if you don't shake hands, but no "incident" happens. Or...swallow your ego for 3 seconds and give high 5 and don't say a word and keep on moving.

Stuff - honestly you are correct THIS is what's wrong with the world but not because of what Fagen did - She made a simple peaceful protest - Was it the best thing to do - NO as I said the hand shake line is not the place for it but...

What was wrong was Walton being upset by it - to the point he pushes a player - the "I thought her hand was up" statement is crap - he pushed her to incite her to action because he knew she didn't like him and it was a family issue.
She was pushing back for her sisters. It was the wrong thing to do and the wrong place to do it but I was 22 before and that's the way 22 year olds think.

Walton is a grown man in a position of responsibility acting like a child - that childishness is what's wrong with this world - not impetuous kids.

 

[manitoudan]

Many of the posts and reactions to this thread are the exact examples of what is wrong with America today (opinion). Kids today have no respect...no fear...do not care at all what others think at the end of the day...and the parents have groomed that behavior. I watch it daily.

She WANTED a reaction...HOPED for a reaction. She got what she wanted.
She is NOT a child...she is an adult attending college. Where is her standard of behavior

Forget what the player did...the blatant disrespect shown... and put it all on the adult...that's how today's parents roll in our world.

Did he handle it correct on his end? NO!
Was his apology smarmy and contrived? Yep.

If she could not shake hands and show sportsmanship to all...she should not have done it at all. It still looks bad if you don't shake hands, but no "incident" happens. Or...swallow your ego for 3 seconds and give high 5 and don't say a word and keep on moving.

Hey Stuff - If you think she wanted a reaction and she HOPED she got a reaction , dont you think she would have tried a different approach after NOT getting a reaction in the first two games of the series ? Her actions in game 3 of this series were exactly the same as game 1 and 2 .. only 1 person's reaction changed and you fingered the wrong person.

 

[brownsfan]

Ok, so how many of us adults have shown this to their dd's? I'll be honest an haven't yet, but I plan on it. Then I'll follow up with "If I ever see you doing that what Fagan did, regardless if the coach who pushed you is in the wrong, I'll take that car you're driving away (just an example). You notify your coach and let the coach handle it. End of story."

I think Walton should be suspended from the NCAA for a game or two and as someone posted, have the Auburn coach suspend Fagan for a game. If millions of girls witnessed this, and there's no repercussions, it will only get worse.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

Stuff - honestly you are correct THIS is what's wrong with the world but not because of what Fagen did - She made a simple peaceful protest - Was it the best thing to do - NO as I said the hand shake line is not the place for it but...

What was wrong was Walton being upset by it - to the point he pushes a player - the "I thought her hand was up" statement is crap - he pushed her to incite her to action because he knew she didn't like him and it was a family issue.
She was pushing back for her sisters. It was the wrong thing to do and the wrong place to do it but I was 22 before and that's the way 22 year olds think.

Walton is a grown man in a position of responsibility acting like a child - that childishness is what's wrong with this world - not impetuous kids.

There are many, many 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22 year olds defending this country in war zones & risking their lives every day - yet this 22 year old Woman, who is getting a Free education cause she is good at a game some how gets a free pass for acting like an idiot!!! Shame on the Auburn coaching staff for letting this diva get away with not following team rules!

It does not matter age - people make wrong decisions often - 18 or 80 - but once you are an adult, which ALL in this matter are - you are held accountable!
If Auburn had made their team follow rules, this never would have been an issue. Shame on Fagan & Auburn for for acting the way they did!

 

[cobb_of_fury]

There are many, many 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22 year olds defending this country in war zones & risking their lives every day - yet this 22 year old Woman, who is getting a Free education cause she is good at a game some how gets a free pass for acting like an idiot!!! Shame on the Auburn coaching staff for letting this diva get away with not following team rules!

It does not matter age - people make wrong decisions often - 18 or 80 - but once you are an adult, which ALL in this matter are - you are held accountable!
If Auburn had made their team follow rules, this never would have been an issue. Shame on Fagan & Auburn for for acting the way they did!

- Yes Shame on them And Fagen should be suspended - I think she knew going in that that was a possibility - In her mind she was defending her sisters and was willing to take the consequences.
She was not acting like a diva - this whole thing was not about her - it was a family matter to her.

The problem is Walton - he was in the wrong if he didn't mean to push her he should have stopped the line there and said "I'm sorry I apologize - thought you were giving a high five"

As to the brave men and women defending this nation they do it much for the same reason Fagen did this, they have something deep inside that they believe in -and are willing to fight for it no matter the cost.

I DO NOT want to make a moral equivalency of defending her sisters in a hand shake line while on a free ride to play softball and giving your life to your country - just saying the motivations are similar.

 

[thestuff142]

She was wrong and initiated the whole train wreck of a story. No "peaceful protest" = no drama. When was it decided a ball field is an appropriate place for such a protest? Who told her she could protest? You are NOT an individual when you are on scholarship...you fly the flag of your university and coaches...you don't get to make decisions and implement them into the field of play.

THIS is what I am talking about...today's parents and players...making their own rules.

Would you have done this as a 22 year old? I was a college athlete getting money..and let me tell you right now...I would never have done this to a coach...to another athlete absolutely, but never a coach. EVER

Auburn coaches SHOULD have addressed it after the 1st incident and told her that snubbing anyone in the handshake line was not acceptable behavior.

Everyone agrees she was wrong..and then keep using the word BUT If she does not do what she did there is nothing to see here.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

So your saying - that it is perfectly fine for the Leader of that team the man that is supposed to be the mentor and molder of young minds to initiate an incident because he doesn't like a player not slapping his hand? Is that what you mean?

He is a grown man in the position of responsibility - If he didn't like Fagen not slapping his hand he should have talked to her coach -

YES SHE WAS WRONG - (as you said) BUT... WALTON WAS MORE WRONG - that's the only point I'm trying to make - As a coach he should have been above pettiness....

I think everyone including her feels she should be punished for pushing a coach - BUT (there it is again) the coach should also be punished for initiating it.

And yes - at 22 if I though someone had wrongfully hurt my family I would probably (perhaps stupidly) choose not to shake there hand - Even if it meant I might get in trouble with MY coach -

 

[softballmom2000]

You all do know that her sister, one of the ones Walton kicked off, is actually a graduate assistant for the Auburn softball team. I am pretty sure that is why she was not punished for the same behavior in games 1 and 2. Since when is it the end of the world if you don't shake hands? We played a team one time where the girls spit on their hands before shaking. Is that any better?

Bottom line is whether she put her hand up or did not put her hand up, no man should lay his hands on a woman. He did it intentionally. I have been in lines with kids where they did not put their hand up, I never once pushed my hand out looking for it. You just keep your hand up and keep on moving.