Hobbs continues to defend Williams, blast Post
By Jonathan Gaither
Daily Colonial Staff Writer
GW Basketball Coach Karl Hobbs
Photo by Mike Riccio
A day after a front page article in the Washington Post attacked the academic record of George Washington forward Omar Williams '06, head coach Karl Hobbs expressed anger and frustration on Monday at the focus and timing of the story.
Speaking to reporters in a teleconference, Hobbs did not hold back in his criticism, saying Post writer Mark Schlabach did not tell Williams’ story fairly and needlessly went after the senior when the system itself is to blame.
“I was very disappointed in the article. I felt that the writer… squandered a great opportunity to tell a great success story and at the same time expose some flaws in our system,” he said. “Somehow the success of Omar in the GW program got buried in his story. He did a great illustration of Omar’s past.… Unfortunately, he talked about what Omar was and never talked about what Omar is today.”
Hobbs acknowledged some of the flaws in the Philadelphia school system that the article discussed, and did not deny some of the other problems the story exposed. However, he insisted that his player should not be held up as an example of the problem, but rather viewed as a success story of a young man who overcame his troubles and worked his way to a college degree.
“I thought we were in the business of educating kids,” Hobbs proclaimed. “I thought the purpose was kids get to college and earn a degree and become educated people. He’s done that. Every summer he hasn’t gone back to Philly. He’s stayed at GW to pursue his education. In addition to that he’s worked summer jobs for the betterment of his life. I have no idea why that part of the story wasn’t told. Isn’t that a success story?”
“We can’t crucify Omar and put him in the front page of the Washington Post, and crucify him because he followed and did everything he was told to do. He didn’t rob 7-11, he didn’t shoot anybody, didn’t commit any crimes. He had a burning desire to want to get an education in college. That’s the crime he committed.”
Just hours before the Sunday edition of the Post ran the article on Williams the Colonials completed a thrilling overtime win over Charlotte, rapping up a perfect A-10 regular season and providing GW’s five graduating players with a remarkable Senior Day sendoff. The timing did not appear to be lost on Hobbs.
“I don’t want anybody to think that I’m so naïve that 26-1 on senior day didn’t have anything to do with this,” he said. “I’m not so naïve to think this wasn’t competitively motivated.”
He also said the article has had an effect on his team’s overall mood as they prepare to leave for Cincinnati for the A-10 tournament.
“The kids were so happy (after the Charlotte game),” Hobbs. “They woke up the next morning and that’s what they had to look at and deal with.”
Hobbs said he also felt for Williams’ family, which was in town for Saturday’s game.
“What am I supposed to tell Omar’s mom? Because I promised her that if he comes here to this school (certain things) will happen,” asked Hobbs. “If you do all these things right, oh by the way, you will end up on the cover of the Washington Post Sunday magazine, oh by the way, being crucified? The only thing I ask is ‘where is the fairness?’”
Admitting that he himself grew up in the inner city and skipped class when he was younger, Hobbs offered a strong opinion on what can be accomplished despite that background.
“I truly believe that inner city children are resilient and that with proper support and encouragement high expectations can be achieved,” Hobbs said.
“Please tell these inner city kids there is hope. Please tell them that,” he said.” Please don’t make these inner city kids feel like if they listen to these adults and if they lead me the wrong way I’m going to end up on the cover of the Washington Post being crucified.”
Hobbs concluded by reiterating his belief that the Post article failed to dive deeply enough into the real issues at hand.
“If you’re going to pick at the scab, pick it all the way. Don’t just pull at the edges and allow it to fester,” he said. “How can we fix this? That’s my question. The NCAA, in my understanding, [is] making millions and millions (on the CBS tournament contract). Are they pouring any of that money back into these school systems so we can eliminate these (problems) we’re talking about so that innocent kids don’t get hurt?”
“With all that (Omar’s) been through--the flawed systems, bad teachers, bad schools--he’s persevered and he’s come through…. You can corrupt a teacher or you can corrupt a coach or you can corrupt a gym teacher that’s a coach… you can’t corrupt the GW faculty. I truly believe that the gentleman that wrote the article… focused on the wrong bouncing ball.”
By Jonathan Gaither
Daily Colonial Staff Writer
GW Basketball Coach Karl Hobbs
Photo by Mike Riccio
A day after a front page article in the Washington Post attacked the academic record of George Washington forward Omar Williams '06, head coach Karl Hobbs expressed anger and frustration on Monday at the focus and timing of the story.
Speaking to reporters in a teleconference, Hobbs did not hold back in his criticism, saying Post writer Mark Schlabach did not tell Williams’ story fairly and needlessly went after the senior when the system itself is to blame.
“I was very disappointed in the article. I felt that the writer… squandered a great opportunity to tell a great success story and at the same time expose some flaws in our system,” he said. “Somehow the success of Omar in the GW program got buried in his story. He did a great illustration of Omar’s past.… Unfortunately, he talked about what Omar was and never talked about what Omar is today.”
Hobbs acknowledged some of the flaws in the Philadelphia school system that the article discussed, and did not deny some of the other problems the story exposed. However, he insisted that his player should not be held up as an example of the problem, but rather viewed as a success story of a young man who overcame his troubles and worked his way to a college degree.
“I thought we were in the business of educating kids,” Hobbs proclaimed. “I thought the purpose was kids get to college and earn a degree and become educated people. He’s done that. Every summer he hasn’t gone back to Philly. He’s stayed at GW to pursue his education. In addition to that he’s worked summer jobs for the betterment of his life. I have no idea why that part of the story wasn’t told. Isn’t that a success story?”
“We can’t crucify Omar and put him in the front page of the Washington Post, and crucify him because he followed and did everything he was told to do. He didn’t rob 7-11, he didn’t shoot anybody, didn’t commit any crimes. He had a burning desire to want to get an education in college. That’s the crime he committed.”
Just hours before the Sunday edition of the Post ran the article on Williams the Colonials completed a thrilling overtime win over Charlotte, rapping up a perfect A-10 regular season and providing GW’s five graduating players with a remarkable Senior Day sendoff. The timing did not appear to be lost on Hobbs.
“I don’t want anybody to think that I’m so naïve that 26-1 on senior day didn’t have anything to do with this,” he said. “I’m not so naïve to think this wasn’t competitively motivated.”
He also said the article has had an effect on his team’s overall mood as they prepare to leave for Cincinnati for the A-10 tournament.
“The kids were so happy (after the Charlotte game),” Hobbs. “They woke up the next morning and that’s what they had to look at and deal with.”
Hobbs said he also felt for Williams’ family, which was in town for Saturday’s game.
“What am I supposed to tell Omar’s mom? Because I promised her that if he comes here to this school (certain things) will happen,” asked Hobbs. “If you do all these things right, oh by the way, you will end up on the cover of the Washington Post Sunday magazine, oh by the way, being crucified? The only thing I ask is ‘where is the fairness?’”
Admitting that he himself grew up in the inner city and skipped class when he was younger, Hobbs offered a strong opinion on what can be accomplished despite that background.
“I truly believe that inner city children are resilient and that with proper support and encouragement high expectations can be achieved,” Hobbs said.
“Please tell these inner city kids there is hope. Please tell them that,” he said.” Please don’t make these inner city kids feel like if they listen to these adults and if they lead me the wrong way I’m going to end up on the cover of the Washington Post being crucified.”
Hobbs concluded by reiterating his belief that the Post article failed to dive deeply enough into the real issues at hand.
“If you’re going to pick at the scab, pick it all the way. Don’t just pull at the edges and allow it to fester,” he said. “How can we fix this? That’s my question. The NCAA, in my understanding, [is] making millions and millions (on the CBS tournament contract). Are they pouring any of that money back into these school systems so we can eliminate these (problems) we’re talking about so that innocent kids don’t get hurt?”
“With all that (Omar’s) been through--the flawed systems, bad teachers, bad schools--he’s persevered and he’s come through…. You can corrupt a teacher or you can corrupt a coach or you can corrupt a gym teacher that’s a coach… you can’t corrupt the GW faculty. I truly believe that the gentleman that wrote the article… focused on the wrong bouncing ball.”
