By Joe Pantorno (Editor-in-Chief)
As the news of the arrests of four Hofstra basketball players reached all corners of the United States, it fell hard upon the ears of one alumnus in Oakland, CA in particular; Golden State Warriors guard Charles Jenkins.
“I woke up to a bunch of text messages and pictures,” said Jenkins. “I was able to speak to the AD [Jeff Hathaway] and a few other people from Hofstra let me know what was going on… This is just something that has happened now and it’s something that we have to get over.”
Jenkins, who is in his second year with the Warriors, played for Hofstra from 2007-2011 and is the Pride’s all-time leading scorer with 2,463 points.
“You will never, ever hear me talk down on Hofstra or anyone that goes there because that is the place that made the person that I am,” said Jenkins. “There’s a lot of good that has come out of Hofstra. I think I’m a prime example of that and there’s many others. So it’s a little bit frustrating… with the things I’ve read and seeing what people are saying.”
The players charged with burglary, Shaquille Stokes, Kentrell Washington Jimmy Hall and Dallas Anglin, never played alongside Jenkins, but his close ties to the University still had an effect on him.
“It was just shocking,” said Jenkins. “I felt like I had a responsibility. I’ve been trying to be quiet about it… seeing what people have been saying. I think it [relieves] me to speak on this situation.”
While Hofstra movies forward without four contributing players, Jenkins realizes that his former head coach, Mo Cassara, has his work cut out for him for the rest of the season.
“I’m confident that he’s going to do the best that he can,” said Jenkins. “He’s been dealt a crazy year and it’s been tough. I’ve been following to the best of my abilities… but this is going to be tough for him, [he] lost four valuable players on the team.”
While basketball is important, said Jenkins, performing within society transcends the sport.
“It’s frustrating because at the end of the day I know they’re good people,” said Jenkins. “Unfortunately they’ve made some bad mistakes and they have consequences to pay for it.”
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Hofstra alum Jenkins maintains Pride in his alma mater
Hofstra Chronicle
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December 7, 2012
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