Villanova's Redding takes responsibility for not doing 'the right thing'

POSTED: October 27, 2009

By MIKE KERN

kernm@phillynews.com

share
email
print
reprint
font size
comments
16
options
 
RELATED STORIES
 
Buy College jerseys, t-shirts, hats, and more
There was last week's Big East media day in New York, where Villanova's basketball team was picked to finish first.

And Saturday's Hoops Mania at the Pavilion, where the rings for making last season's Final Four were given out and the banner raised.

Plus, the first 10 games of the season, which include all four Big 5 matchups and a trip to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Classic in Puerto Rico.

Senior guard Reggie Redding won't know what it's like to experience any of those events. Just like he won't be on the cover of the media guide or serve as one of the team captains.

They're all supposed to be rewards. But for Redding, everything is on hold until Dec. 19, when he finally is eligible again.

This was supposed to be his time. Instead, it will be a long wait.

"That's what happens," he said yesterday, "when you don't do the right thing."

Redding was suspended by the university for the first semester for violating its student code of conduct. He still faces misdemeanor charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana (less than 30 grams) for a July 28 on-campus incident. His arraignment court date in Media is pending.

He can practice with the team. Until Dec. 19, that's pretty much it.

"Of course I want to be out there," said Redding, in his first interview since the arrest. "It's going to be rough watching them go into battle, and I can't go out there and help. I just have to take responsibility for what I did. Hopefully it'll make me stronger. I'm just grateful for the [second chance].

"I can't feel sorry for myself for what happened. I did it. I can't look back and start over, do it again. I'm just going to look forward, be a good example for my teammates, that if they come to any situation like I did, [then] learn from me.

"Everyone's telling me to keep my head up. I haven't heard one crazy [word]. It seems like I was hardest on myself. The support's been great. And I'm appreciative of that."

The Wildcats lost three starters, but still have a lot back and add a big-time recruiting class. Coach Jay Wright is confident that Redding at some point will again be a big part of the equation.

"Kids are resilient," Wright said. "He's not complaining. He's still a leader on this team. I think he's handled it great. All we have to do now is find a way to make this a positive.

"I want to make sure he's not the guy that people say, 'Hey, there goes Reggie Redding, the guy who got in trouble.' I want them to say, 'That's Reggie Redding, who got in trouble but was a great example to his teammates and all college basketball players by the way he handled it.' "

Sure sounds like a worthwhile resolution.

"At first, I was upset at myself the most for how I affected the people around me," Redding said. "That still hurts. I'm a strong kid, a tough kid. It's not the hardest thing I've been through in my life. I'm doing everything in my power to get it back to the way it should be."

  • Jobs
  • Cars
  • Real Estate
  • Rentals
 
View all Top Jobs »
SEARCH JOBS
Spotlight Deal

$3,325,000
210 W WASHINGTON SQ #PH-NW
Old City/Society Hill 19106
Spotlight Deal

$289,900
418 GLEN AVE
West Chester 19382
SEARCH REAL ESTATE
Spotlight Deal

$1,233
Regatta Apts
Norristown 19401
Spotlight Deal

$1,450
Locust on the Park
Rittenhouse Square 19103
SEARCH RENTALS
16
Comments   
Posted 10:22 AM, 10/27/2009
RichNC
You've got to love how Jay Wright runs his program. Sure, Reggie made a mistake, and all the Nova haters will bash him, but I am proud of him and how he and Jay are handling it.
Posted 11:54 AM, 10/27/2009
Jabdad
Typical Nova trash. If he had the grades he would have went to Penn and would end up being a productive citizen.
Posted 12:17 PM, 10/27/2009
thewiseone
Jabdad, From your grammar, you obviously did not go to Penn, or Villanova for that matter, which, you obviously don't understand, is also a fine academic school. Reggie Redding, by the way, graduated from St. Joseph's Prep high school? I am betting you couldn't spell Prep even after seeing it written here. Where did you earn your degree? You have one, right?
Posted 12:22 PM, 10/27/2009
Nova&PhilsfaninCT
Jabdad, you're an idiot. I have nothing more than that to say.
Posted 12:35 PM, 10/27/2009
ninemcs
NONE OF US ARE PERFECT AND ALL HAVE MADE MISTAKES. IT'S HOW WE HANDLE THAT AND TURN AROUND OUR LIVES.
Posted 12:35 PM, 10/27/2009
ninemcs
NONE OF US ARE PERFECT AND ALL HAVE MADE MISTAKES. IT'S HOW WE HANDLE THAT AND TURN AROUND OUR LIVES.
Posted 12:45 PM, 10/27/2009
Damien
Thewiseone, your grammar is terrible. You should learn how to use a comma before you start to criticize someone else's grammar.
Posted 01:05 PM, 10/27/2009
thewiseone
Damien, Why don't you teach me then, professor. Where did I misuse a comma? You have no idea what you're talking about.
Posted 01:30 PM, 10/27/2009
Gatto
For Jabdad: If you're looking for trash, just look in the mirror. By the way, nice English grammar.
Posted 02:17 PM, 10/27/2009
Realistic One
The grammar overall isn't too bad, actually. It's the punctuation part that wasn't up to par from a person critizicing someone else's use of the language!
Posted 03:05 PM, 10/27/2009
Jabdad
Reggie is a good kid. A little pot never hurt anyone. It's not like he's gonna turn into Howard Porter. I just like to get "Nova Nation" worked up. Hey thewiseone, You're a typical Nova nobody. WTF is with "thewiseone" ? You have to tell everyone how wise you are ??? Post your email address and I will email you a copy of my degree along with my SJP degree. Lets see, you grew up in N.Jersey, went to "Nova" and now live in Ardmore or Havertown with the hope of someday moving up the Nova Alumni mountain to Radnor.
Posted 03:06 PM, 10/27/2009
CrazyIvan
Commas are a style decision for the most part- lay off!
Posted 03:09 PM, 10/27/2009
PhillyGuy34
Hahaha, Jabdab must have learned English at Temple
Posted 03:16 PM, 10/27/2009
thewiseone
Jabdad, You continue to show your ignorance to the world. Keep it up. No one else needs to highlight your stupidity when you do such a fine job of it yourself.
Posted 03:30 PM, 10/27/2009
BrophyWilliams
Villanova athletes generally are the dumbest ones in the area.....But then again, Augustinians were never known for their intellectual prowess.
Advertise Here
Sign up to receive the daily sports newsletter