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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Gary Corroto added to this discussion on May 10, 2008
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It is with great sadness that I write this. I have agonized since yesterday evening whether I should address the rumours surrounding my son's decision to leave Penn State (that is not a typo it WAS my son's decision to leave) or to simply ignore them. It is very unfortunate, and in my opinion unprofessional, that Penn State decided to issue a press release that was published throughout the country regarding my son's decision to return home to Ohio. We prefered to handle the matter privately and have David return home to continue his academic and athletic careers. It was never our intention to have to engage in a public back and forth over David's decision to leave. Sadly, Penn State has chosen try to publically humiliate my son when all we wanted to do was say thank you and move on with our lives. The rumors have become too much to handle and therefore I believe I am compelled to respond.
Let me start by saying that rumors that David was dismissed from the team for a "substance abuse problem" or that he received some sort of warning last year are false. Also, David's decision to leave was not athletically motivated. Some have speculated that "the writing was on the wall' that he would not start at Penn State next year and that was a factor in him deciding to leave. Nothing could be further from the truth. David would be the first person to tell you he has not reached his wrestling goals the past two seasons, but I think his performance has been the subject of much undeserved criticism. Any speculation that he would not have made Penn State's lineup next year is just that, speculation. All I can tell you is he has managed to make the lineup on every team he has ever been on.
The following is my understanding of what has taken place. I have obtained this understanding through David, my wife, and my own dealings with representatives of Penn State. I will allow you to draw your own conclusions as to what has transpired. Again, because it was never my intention to discuss this publically I will not identify individuals by name, but will refer to them generically. (as I am typing I cannot tell if I have run out space so I will post this in segments.)
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Elliot Lewis added to this discussion on May 10, 2008
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Thank you Mr. Rella job well done,
Godspeed to
Dave Rella
!
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Dom Mancini added to this discussion on May 10, 2008
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this shows some class - most of the people around the state have always thought of Rella as a class act - and I think this is great that the family is going to give us the truth.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on May 10, 2008
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Under Sunderland in the past, when wrestlers wanted to transfer, did he list them as being "dismissed" from the team? I don't recall this
ever
being the case before. It seems strange that now, they'd decide to, according to you, flat out lie, concerning a wrestler of their's who, by all accounts, they really liked. According to their press release, they (the PSU staff) has no further comment on the situation, so I don't believe there will be a "back and forth" conversation here.
Whatever is the truth in this situation, best of wishes to Dave and PSU in their future.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on May 10, 2008
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Dave Rella: Ohio wrestler that went to PSU. He has now moved to another location...still an Ohio boy. And because of that I say, Good Luck, Dave...no matter the singlet you wear!
And yes, Mr. Sommers, that even goes for tSUN! <angry> <smile>
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Rex Holman added to this discussion on May 10, 2008
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Just an opinion from an outsider's perspective; I don't think PSU was the right fit for him. Dave is an extremely tough wrestler that gave up position more readily than a wrestler of his caliber should. Whether that is a function of weight cutting, environment, or mental fatigue from a college season leaves me wondering.
I was a transfer and know first hand that environment is central to development. I pretty much always side with the athlete in these situations based upon my experience as it is up to a coach to figure out how to get the most out of an athlete and create a situation that endures for a lifetime. Both parties are usually partly to blame and there is a communication breakdown somewhere along the line.
My guess is that it is just a part of a larger life lesson that we learn on our way.
I hope everything works out for Dave and that he is able to stay objective and continue to work towards his goals.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Gary Corroto added to this discussion on May 11, 2008
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During the past several hours I have decided not to post the details. David has asked that we just move on. He just wants to put this matter behind him. We will continue to take the high road.
I will say that David did make a mistake and was involved in an incident that he should have never allowed to occurred. I want to say right now that David will be accountable for his mistake and will learn his lesson from this experience. I do not beleive it is appropriate to discuss the details on a public forum but to end some speculation that I have read I will state that it had nothing to do with drugs nor was any person or property injured or damaged. He had discussions with the coaches about his considering transferring BEFORE this incident occurred. The incident occurred more than three weeks ago.
Although David's potential transfer and the incident were discussed several times during the past few weeks, prior to Friday afternoon I was not aware that dismissal from the team was even under consideration. David made his decsion that he was not going to return to Penn State before Friday and intended to meet with the coaches on Friday afternoon to tell them of his decision. I understand that on Friday afternoon he did tell the coaches that he was going to leave.
Not long after this meeting a press release was issued announcing that David and two others had been dismissed from the team. This press release came completely out of the blue to me and appearantly to David too as he called me absolutely shocked and beside himself after he read it on his email.
As I sit here typing this, I still have seen nothing in writing from Penn State (other than the press release) informing us that David has been dismissed from the team, nor have I received any explanation concnerning the details of the release that the press announcement says that David has been given.
Simply put, this relationship did not have to end this way. I see no purpose in it. I did not see this coming. I woke up Friday morning believing that David would be leaving amicably and I went to bed Friday night readings all sorts of unfounded rumors about my son. David had decided to transfer. He told the coaches he was going to leave. Was the rest of this neccesary?
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on May 11, 2008
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Gary:
My best wishes David in the rest of his college career, at whichever school he chooses. Thank you for having the confidence in our forum to post your thoughts on the situation.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on May 11, 2008
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this is why i posted this on another thread
on this forum
yesterday morning:
"We don't know that Rella (or Platt) were "kicked off the team" (as someone stated) -- in fact Platt's high school coach (Jeff Buxton) already denied to me that Platt was in fact "dismissed", he says Platt was leaving anyway. None of us knows for certain, so let's not jump to conclusions."
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Penn St is great university, i know and like the coaches there, and i know and like the Rella/Corroto family too. I'm Not taking sides, just cautioning that the public shouldnt jump to conclusions.
like a bad marriage, i am sure both sides just want it all to go away,
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on May 11, 2008
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Mr Corroto: Sounds like your son got caught up in some politics that were not his doing. All the best to him in whatever he does in the future.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Luke Moore added to this discussion on May 12, 2008
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David, go to OU, you would look good in Huntergreen!
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Robert Lambert added to this discussion on May 12, 2008
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The quote by Sunderland stated only that the three athletes were "released". That is a big difference than being dismissed. Maybe the writer took a little more liberty than he should have. I don't know...I'm not even remotely related to any of the participants.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Dan Ransick added to this discussion on May 13, 2008
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I think that Rella would look exceptionally good in Scarlet and Gray. He would reunite with former high school teammate Pucillo and fit nicely in at 174.
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Discussion Topic: Response from David Rella's Family
Elliot Lewis added to this discussion on May 13, 2008
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Yes he does look good in scarlet and gray!
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