Athlete (2001-2003) Michael Southall

A former high placed ULL official told me that Southall's grades in high school were well above average - in the 3+ range. It's never been about aptitude but attitude! Funny, no post talks about Michael's parents, who funded his "paying his way" this summer.

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Originally Posted by BrockMeaux

Well, I guess besides this being his absolute last chance, fans and teammates that are going to make him work this time to be accepted, and higher standards for the players on and off the court now that Lee's in charge, there isn't much difference between this and the other times.

I don't know, maybe all of that considered, his sudden reformation could have possibly had something to do with JAIL?

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It is amazing---I guess "time" does heal!!!!

It's crazy to me reading all that is writen about Mike on this page and realizing how little people really know about him. He is one of the more easy going, laid back people around. He is a lighthearted individual and comes off as always in a good mood. Don't take that the wrong way; he is still full of fire. He is fiercly loyal and treats friends and teamates as family. Let's not berate Mike for his misteps in the past. Instead let's show support. We need to reward his current good behavior with positive reinforcement and an optimistic outlook. Both Mike and the entire UL athletic program stand to gain so much from his contributions, why not help him, help us.

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Originally Posted by ULCAJUN

It's crazy to me reading all that is writen about Mike on this page and realizing how little people really know about him. He is one of the more easy going, laid back people around. He is a lighthearted individual and comes off as always in a good mood. Don't take that the wrong way; he is still full of fire. He is fiercly loyal and treats friends and teamates as family. Let's not berate Mike for his misteps in the past. Instead let's show support. We need to reward his current good behavior with positive reinforcement and an optimistic outlook. Both Mike and the entire UL athletic program stand to gain so much from his contributions, why not help him, help us.

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Mike is a VERY nice guy I met him once and all I can say is he gives you the time of day which is more than you can say for most young people.

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Originally Posted by BonCajun

Mike is a VERY nice guy I met him once and all I can say is he gives you the time of day which is more than you can say for most young people.

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Never met him, don't need to meet him. But I would like to see one of his wonderful thunder dunks.

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Originally Posted by BonCajun

Mike is a VERY nice guy I met him once and all I can say is he gives you the time of day which is more than you can say for most young people.

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I met Mike (more like said hi) after a game at the Cajun Dome sometime during the year he sat out.

All I can say is it was a pleasant experience, but I gotta tell you, somehow I got the feeling he was looking down at me . . . ;)

does southall play football? (smiles)

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Originally Posted by ULCAJUN

It's crazy to me reading all that is writen about Mike on this page and realizing how little people really know about him. He is one of the more easy going, laid back people around. He is a lighthearted individual and comes off as always in a good mood. Don't take that the wrong way; he is still full of fire. He is fiercly loyal and treats friends and teamates as family. Let's not berate Mike for his misteps in the past. Instead let's show support. We need to reward his current good behavior with positive reinforcement and an optimistic outlook. Both Mike and the entire UL athletic program stand to gain so much from his contributions, why not help him, help us.

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Right on! You and I share this outlook.

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<p align=justify>&nbsp; Southall was in good academic standing at this time last summer when he was charged with parole violation, and reportedly maintains that status entering fall classes.

"I know there are some discussions ongoing between he and Coach Lee," UL President Ray Authement said. "I'd hate to say what those discussions are, because it's a matter of what he'll accept and what Coach Lee will accept.

"He (Lee) and I have discussed the situation, but it's got to be his call and the conditions (for a Southall return) are his. If Michael Southall accedes to those conditions, then he might be here. But it will not be a free ride."

The situation is expected to be further clarified by the end of this week. <!--


LOUISIA La. - When he was on the court, Michael Southall had a major impact on Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun men's basketball program.

Away from the floor, sometimes in court, things became an adventure.

But Southall may receive another chance to play for the University.

Southall is registered for classes for UL's fall semester and is working toward a return to action for coach Robert Lee's program after missing two seasons of competition.

The 6-foot-10, 242-pound center averaged 12.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in two seasons as an All-Sun Belt Conference performer in 2001-02 and 2002-03 under coach Jessie Evans.

But Southall was academically ineligible for the 2003-04 campaign, the final one for Evans at the school.

Probation violation for an earlier drug infraction in his native Wisconsin prevented Southall from being a member of Lee's first season as UL's head coach, which resulted in a second straight Sun Belt Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

Then last March, after visiting with members of the Cajun team at UL's basketball awards banquet, Southall and former teammate Cedric Williams were both charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after driving the wrong way on Cajundome Boulevard on March 12.

"I have no comment on anyone who is not a member of our team," Lee said at the time.

Southall was in good academic standing at this time last summer when he was charged with parole violation, and reportedly maintains that status entering fall classes.

"I know there are some discussions ongoing between he and Coach Lee," UL President Ray Authement said. "I'd hate to say what those discussions are, because it's a matter of what he'll accept and what Coach Lee will accept.

"He (Lee) and I have discussed the situation, but it's got to be his call and the conditions (for a Southall return) are his. If Michael Southall accedes to those conditions, then he might be here. But it will not be a free ride."

The situation is expected to be further clarified by the end of this week.

Lee did not return phone calls from The Daily Advertiser seeking comment on this story. -->

<CENTER><P><A HREF="http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050823/SPORTS/508230332/1006">The rest of the story</A>

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

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Originally Posted by miamicajun32

Outside of Lafayette and message boards like this, no non cajun fan will care one bit about this story unless the Cajuns become a sudden contender on the big stage... If you are talking business, then realize that big time athletics can help all aspects of a university. I am a big cajun fan because I grew up in Lafayette, but I am an alumnus of University of Florida, a university that clearly understands big time athletics and big time academics. If Southall has done what Coach Lee demanded and has earned a shot at playing again, then great for him and hopefully it will help give the Cajuns the edge needed to get to the next level where the Cajun Dome is filled most nights and eventually down the road maybe Cajun athletics will have enough funding coming from a large fan base so that the corrupt Louisiana LSU politics will not matter... But this will take a lot of winning and not just racking up Sunbelt games... Now if you want UL to stay small scale in both athletics and academics then just keep the status quo and don't take chances... Don't kid yourself about academics or athletics at UL, on a nationwide scale the university is unfortunately considered third tier in both respects... But this could change in the next decade if the university was better supported and sometimes athletics can accomplish a big piece of that puzzle....

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I agree with just about everything that you have said except for one thing. On a national scale, the only area that we are considered to be 3rd tier in is football. All of our other athletic programs have had a tremendous amount of success. Oh, by the way, our computer and engineering departments are second to none in the country.

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Originally Posted by cajunproud

I agree with just about everything that you have said except for one thing. On a national scale, the only area that we are considered to be 3rd tier in is football. All of our other athletic programs have had a tremendous amount of success. Oh, by the way, our computer and engineering departments are second to none in the country.

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With UL snapping Mark Zappe(aka DocRaginCajun) away from Miss St. as our new Dean of Engineering...look for that deptment to really kck sss now!!!

Z.

:D

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Originally Posted by snote

does southall play football? (smiles)

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Well the guy is Mitchell---he got the extra year in bball ---Maybe 1 FB year--After the NCAA ruling on Venable, anything is possible---8 years!!!