great article on randy smithson today.....

[shockball]

Anyone who has fought these demons, or had a family member who did, and has persevered understands what he is going through. Those who haven't, while certainly sympathetic, don't understand the toll it takes on everyone. Props to Randy for being open about it and best of luck to him.

I think people are genetically predisposed to having certain personality traits that can lead to addictive behaviors. People deal with life's ups and downs in many different ways. One thing that cannot be questioned is Randy's love for Wichita State and his desire to see the university succeed. He is a true Shocker!

Nice post. Best of luck to Randy.

[kcshocker11]

He really looks old!

Perhaps, but living a clean life will certainly reverse a lot of that. Besides, it beats being dead.

True, just a shock to see him when your memory of him is that young man on the court. :posterwsu: 8)

[MikeShox]

While genetics may play small parts in these equations

I am close to a family with 4 children. The family was always your normal, hard working, Christian family with a nice home. The parents loved their children and were always very involved in everything the children did. The children were 3 girls, all of whom grew up normally, had their normal minor issues as teens, but got through those issues and now are married with their own children and have joined the hard working family class. One has a married daughter and a grandchild and another has a daughter who will be marrying very soon.

The son was adopted at an infant, in fact went straight from the hospital at 5 days of age to his adoptive parent's home. He appeared to be one of the well-adjusted children you would ever want to see until about age 14 when suddenly everything changed. He began getting in trouble with girls, fighting and dealing with drug and alcohol additions. He is now in his late 30's and has spent a good percentage of his time during the past 25 years incarcerated in one place or another. His future looks very bleak.

A few years ago, he finally learned who his natural father was. The father had died within a year before he learned about him, so he never met his natural father. The amazing thing was that the young man's life was nearly a carbon copy of his natural father's life. He also learned that he had siblings, most of whom had very similar lives.

He also had children of his own, first at age 17 and again at age 19. His first child, a boy, is now 21 and has already spent some 3 years of his life behind bars and is showing the same behaviors as his father. His second child is a daughter whose life is also a mess. Neither of the children was around their father during their lives. What the got from their father was his genetics. They hardly knew him as they were raised by their mother who has worked hard in giving them a decent life.

No, I am not saying that the genetics cannot be overcome, but I am saying that anyone who says "genetics may play small parts in these equations" is totally wrong. They can, and often do, play a very large part.

Randy not only had the genetics, but also the environment to overcome. Once again, some do successfully overcome those situations, but it makes it much tougher than most of us have to deal with.

Best wishes Randy. I believe you can and will succeed.

[sck41903]

I am so pleased that Randy has been willing to share his story with everyone.

He is now, and has always been a great guy and a great SHOCKER, he should be a example to anyone who just strives for success and let's the important things in life get away.

Back at the time, I was a A or B (we set up camps on the board), on keeping Randy or not! I was on the side to keep him and am not embarrsed to admit it. I can't imagine what kind of HELL he must have gone thru reading these e-mails.

Don't think Coaches and Players don't look here at times.

Thank you Randy for your efforts in getting WSU back on the map in the '80s. You were a perfect match for AC and Cliff.

Just me, but think all of you should appreciate.