After conflicts with the coaching staff, former center Seymour Walker was kicked off the men’s basketball team in a face-to-face meeting with head coach Curtis Condie Tuesday, Nov. 21, according to Walker. The termination came after Walker was three minutes late to practice, he said.
According to Condie, Walker was terminated because of a “team issue.”
“I think politics had some to do with it,” Walker said. “It was also the perception the coaching staff had of me.”
Walker, a native Jamaican, cited cultural differences as a reason for the clashing.
“The situation made me unhappy because I thought [the coaching staff] disrespected my character. I feel like they were trying to change who I am, and I’m not going to change for anyone,” said Walker of their inability to coexist.
Hired in September after former head coach Tarvish Felton resigned, Condie said he will instill a tough mentality in his players-through disciplinary measures if necessary.
“The players can either buy in or they can leave,” Condie stated.
During the exhibition portion of the team’s schedule, Condie suspended a player one game for missing class.
“Let’s say you have a boss who says you need to do something, and you don’t do it and lie about it. What’s going to happen? You’re going to get fired. Too many times coaches have just sat back and let students get away with things, and that’s why we have people like Terrell Owens,” he said, referring to the controversial Dallas Cowboys wide receiver.
Moving from the NAIA to the NCAA II program this year has forced the student-athletes to adapt to new expectations.
“I don’t think the young men quite understand the commitment that has to be made to play at this level,” Condie said in an interview prior to Walker’s termination.
According to Walker, Condie’s expectations were a lot for the 6-foot-9-inch center-power forward too handle.
“He had certain expectations that we as a team were working towards. And expectedly, we made mistakes. However, in my case my progression was too slow, and despite my effort, nothing was good enough. My personal philosophy is you have to creep before you walk, and for him it was the other way around,” Walker stated.
Despite the head-butting, Walker commended Condie for the job he’s done thus far.
“I still think he’s a great coach. He’s instilled discipline and the right attitude in the team. I wish the best for him in his coaching career,” Walker said.