The Portal, 2025 Style

[IUPbigINDIANS]

You guys are all missing the point. I'm not sure Stewart was dismissed from IUP because of just his alleged police involved incidents. Stewart was already working out in fall camp when he was dismissed. What happened in fall camp that put Tort over the edge and booted him. Obviously, if Stewart was working out, he wasn't getting the boot. Something happened in camp that I'm sure we'll never know. Zero chance Stewart returns.

His last legal incident happened during fall camp.

[IUPalum]

You guys are all missing the point. I'm not sure Stewart was dismissed from IUP because of just his alleged police involved incidents. Stewart was already working out in fall camp when he was dismissed. What happened in fall camp that put Tort over the edge and booted him. Obviously, if Stewart was working out, he wasn't getting the boot. Something happened in camp that I'm sure we'll never know. Zero chance Stewart returns.

[iupgroundhog]

Everyone knew. I forget, what happened anyway?

Yeah, which program, what year, which coach?

[Bart]

Ironic being it was the Holy program.

To your point, it was the worst-kept secret in Indiana. However, it was kept quiet until well after that season ended.

Everyone knew. I forget, what happened anyway?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

LOL, I’m not sure how good of a cover up it was when so many people know about it. The best cover ups never see the light of day. I saw one first hand back when I was in school there that never got out. That one involved baseball.

I’m all for 2nd chances, but not 3rd, 4th, etc. Kids make mistakes, no doubt about that. Even really good kids have a lapse in judgement. Then there are some that just can’t seem to help themselves and constantly have noise around them. Those ones need to go. Let’s also not forget the recent IUP coach that really messed up. No need to dig up the dead but I’m glad when those things get cleaned up and not swept under the rug.

Ironic being it was the Holy program.

To your point, it was the worst-kept secret in Indiana. However, it was kept quiet until well after that season ended.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Just think ... the worst cover-up in IUP Athletics history didn't even involve the football team.

LOL, I’m not sure how good of a cover up it was when so many people know about it. The best cover ups never see the light of day. I saw one first hand back when I was in school there that never got out. That one involved baseball.

I’m all for 2nd chances, but not 3rd, 4th, etc. Kids make mistakes, no doubt about that. Even really good kids have a lapse in judgement. Then there are some that just can’t seem to help themselves and constantly have noise around them. Those ones need to go. Let’s also not forget the recent IUP coach that really messed up. No need to dig up the dead but I’m glad when those things get cleaned up and not swept under the rug.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don’t know anything about his academics but there’s a reason he’s not signed somewhere. We only know what made the police blotter. He had a second chance and messed it up. When there’s that much noise around a guy it’s a strong indication there’s more to the story than what we know. I’m disappointed that IUP isn’t the powerhouse it once was, but I’m pretty happy we’re not reading or hearing about trouble from players at the pace we used to.

Just think ... the worst cover-up in IUP Athletics history didn't even involve the football team.

[IUP24]

I can honestly say I couldn't disagree with this comment more. The program is as clean as it has been in 40 years. There are next to no arrests. The academics are pretty strong. The team does a lot in the community.

You wouldn't believe how many stud transfers they couldn't get admitted over the past 5 years. The bow-tie wouldn't sign off on them. IUP eventually played 'against' most of them.

This program has had a game management problem. It's had an X's and O's problem. It's had a MAJOR problem keeping players healthy. Off-the-field stuff (with one exception) hasn't been the issue at all.

I'm genuinely curious as to who these guys are and who they played for. Who are they?

Were they not admitted due to grades, legal issues, or both?

We aren't seeing a lot of stud drop downs anymore at this level. So the ones who "show out" down here are few and far between.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I understand why the HC said enough is enough. I assume he told Stewart that there wouldn’t be any more chances after his prior court cases and you can’t back down from something like that because other “talented but troubled” players will take it as a sign they can walk all over you.

I just have to laugh because when this news broke some people were acting like Stewart had led the cops on a three county chase or gotten into a brawl with the trooper. In the grand scheme of the legal system his offenses were minor enough that they could be papered over with cash fines. If he hadn’t allegedly taken off he might have been able to get through it with something like traffic court and a three game suspension depending on how lenient the judge and HC were feeling.

If he hadn't allegedly taken off ... this would have never even been a story. It would have been, well, handled.

[TheBigCat2192]

Correct. That's my point. What's alleged (initial charges) didn't hold up. I don't know why they didn't. I don't care why they didn't.

'Charged' isn't 'guilty'.

His 'alleged' door incident (first incident) amounted to less than a slap on the wrist (legally). Granted, he was still part of the program then. And, well, charges tend to eventually go away in those circumstances in towns like Indiana. He was suspended (1) game. Time served.

I understand why the HC said enough is enough. I assume he told Stewart that there wouldn’t be any more chances after his prior court cases and you can’t back down from something like that because other “talented but troubled” players will take it as a sign they can walk all over you.

I just have to laugh because when this news broke some people were acting like Stewart had led the cops on a three county chase or gotten into a brawl with the trooper. In the grand scheme of the legal system his offenses were minor enough that they could be papered over with cash fines. If he hadn’t allegedly taken off he might have been able to get through it with something like traffic court and a three game suspension depending on how lenient the judge and HC were feeling.

[Fightingscot82]

I can honestly say I couldn't disagree with this comment more. The program is as clean as it has been in 40 years. There are next to no arrests. The academics are pretty strong. The team does a lot in the community.

You wouldn't believe how many stud transfers they couldn't get admitted over the past 5 years. The bow-tie wouldn't sign off on them. IUP eventually played 'against' most of them.

This program has had a game management problem. It's had an X's and O's problem. It's had a MAJOR problem keeping players healthy. Off-the-field stuff (with one exception) hasn't been the issue at all.

Yes and some of the high cost impact players haven't been exceptional. Good to very good but not really making the difference to get over the SRU and/or Cal hump.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think Tort has had a lot of players running amuck in the program. There's a lack of accountability and control. There's been off the field issues. I don't know the root of those problems or why they exist, but I would argue that Tort probably is where he is because he has taken risks where he shouldn't have on particular characters.

Perhaps young men of higher character will be more trustworthy and reliable in terms of being available when the games start.

They can do what they want, and that's fine. But I am not going to go to the mat for somebody who has already had a slew of off field concerns within the program already.

I can honestly say I couldn't disagree with this comment more. The program is as clean as it has been in 40 years. There are next to no arrests. The academics are pretty strong. The team does a lot in the community.

You wouldn't believe how many stud transfers they couldn't get admitted over the past 5 years. The bow-tie wouldn't sign off on them. IUP eventually played 'against' most of them.

This program has had a game management problem. It's had an X's and O's problem. It's had a MAJOR problem keeping players healthy. Off-the-field stuff (with one exception) hasn't been the issue at all.

[Fightingscot82]

Its not the last incident as much as it is the multiple incidents.

Incident #1: March 2022 - DUI from combination of alcohol/drugs, hit a car during the DUI. Got first time offender deal: 10 days alcohol treatment, 6 months probation, safe driving classes, etc.

Incident #2: October 2022 - Felony criminal trespass, misdemeanor resisting arrest and criminal mischief, and citation for disorderly conduct. Got a plea deal for citations for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Incident #3: August 2024 - Misdemeanor fleeing or eluding, driving with suspended license, traffic offenses. Pled down to citations for disorderly conduct and driving on a suspended license.

Stewart is super talented and it appears that his grades should have been acceptable, but the market for above average running backs is strong with the current rules. Stewart's got that good ol' boy IUP football booster for his attorney, so that helps.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He fled the scene of a routine traffic stop. How does the cop exaggerate that?

Cops lie? Never.

Happens all the time. That could be why the charges were dropped.

Whatever the case, that big to-do amounted in two minor items.

[IUP24]

Nobody seemed to mind signing Max Redfield, who had a much, much worse past than Dayjure. Max was a banner citizen in Indiana. He grew up and changed - but, he certainly came here with a checkered history.

Frank built an empire on guys with rap sheets. We didn't mind back then.

All I can promise you is if Dayjure would put up 225 yards on Slippery Rock this October, not a soul on here would care about his relationship with apartment doors.

I'd further add, most of his serious charges were dropped or severely lessened.

If he truly changed -- and Tort trusted the fact he truly changed -- why not. They desperately need a game-breaker. He needs a home. He sat out a full season. He did his time.

Would he be a risk for Tort? Absolutely.

But, maybe Tort needs to take some risks. The program isn't exactly cooking right now.

I have a hunch Dayjure is going to land in the PSAC in the next month or so. I'd rather play with him than against him.

I think Tort has had a lot of players running amuck in the program. There's a lack of accountability and control. There's been off the field issues. I don't know the root of those problems or why they exist, but I would argue that Tort probably is where he is because he has taken risks where he shouldn't have on particular characters.

Perhaps young men of higher character will be more trustworthy and reliable in terms of being available when the games start.

They can do what they want, and that's fine. But I am not going to go to the mat for somebody who has already had a slew of off field concerns within the program already.