Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Hurricanes Defensive tackle shot dead.
When it rains, it pours. And for the University of Miami's football team, it is a continuous downpour of problems and negative issues raining down on the team and school.
Yesterday, senior defensive tackle Bryan Pata was shot dead in his apartment complex, about two hours after the team's practice at their Coral Gables location. The Miami Dade Police has labeled his death a homicide, though no suspect has been arrested yet.
It is the ultimate low point for the team who has had battled several issues since the beginning of training camp. It is even more of a low point for the family of Pata, who can only mourn the loss of their loved one, as his dream of playing in the NFL was stripped from him.
Pata's mum, Jeanette Pata, told a local TV station in Miami that he had no problem with anyone;so members of the Miami PD are scratching their heads wondering who would have a motive to kill him. Meanwhile, the team has decided to continue with their season against Maryland on Saturday. According to coach Larry Coker, the team would play to "represent our university and represent Bryan Pata."
No matter if the Hurricanes win the rest of ther games and even make it to a bowl game, this season would go down as one of the worst in team's history. Which is why Coker needs to forefeit the rest of the season and start making preparations to build the team up again. With all the problems that have plagued this team--Meriweather's retaliation shoot out at an alleged robber who shot reserve safety Willie Cooper in the buttocks, receiver Ryan Moore getting kicked off the team for several team violations, the Miami-FIU brawl that garnered national attention-- school president Donna Shalala should recognize the need for the team to pack it up and start the somewhat long road back to national recognition.
Yesterday, senior defensive tackle Bryan Pata was shot dead in his apartment complex, about two hours after the team's practice at their Coral Gables location. The Miami Dade Police has labeled his death a homicide, though no suspect has been arrested yet.
It is the ultimate low point for the team who has had battled several issues since the beginning of training camp. It is even more of a low point for the family of Pata, who can only mourn the loss of their loved one, as his dream of playing in the NFL was stripped from him.
Pata's mum, Jeanette Pata, told a local TV station in Miami that he had no problem with anyone;so members of the Miami PD are scratching their heads wondering who would have a motive to kill him. Meanwhile, the team has decided to continue with their season against Maryland on Saturday. According to coach Larry Coker, the team would play to "represent our university and represent Bryan Pata."
No matter if the Hurricanes win the rest of ther games and even make it to a bowl game, this season would go down as one of the worst in team's history. Which is why Coker needs to forefeit the rest of the season and start making preparations to build the team up again. With all the problems that have plagued this team--Meriweather's retaliation shoot out at an alleged robber who shot reserve safety Willie Cooper in the buttocks, receiver Ryan Moore getting kicked off the team for several team violations, the Miami-FIU brawl that garnered national attention-- school president Donna Shalala should recognize the need for the team to pack it up and start the somewhat long road back to national recognition.
