Here's some more confirmation
Here's some more confirmation
Coming Back
by TODD D. BURLAGE
Assistant Editor
If there was any doubt about the feelings Mike Brey holds for Kyle McAlarney, they were laid to rest Wednesday night when the Irish coach “casually” stopped by the McAlarney’s New York home to lend some support to his troubled point guard.
This “casual” visit meant a redeye flight to New York Wednesday night, followed by a three-hour meeting between Brey and the McAlarneys from about 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Thursday morning.
The visit was typical Brey. But the visit left such an impact on the McAlarneys that Kyle has decided to enroll in summer school this May, and with no snags, will be back with the Notre Dame program next fall.
“He didn’t have to sell Notre Dame back to me because I’ve been there for two years,” Kyle McAlarney told blueandgold.com by cell phone Friday night. “But it just showed his loyalty to his players. Things that he said really meant a lot.
“His visit just showed his loyalty to his players and I think our recruits for next year should know that. I think that my teammates that are still there should know that coach Brey really stands up for his guys.”
Brey has said frequently that he thinks of McAlarney as a son and he felt it was important to share those feelings in person. The decision to dismiss McAlarney from school for a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession was controversial on campus and left some bitter feelings within the McAlarney family.
Competitors wasted little time courting the prodigal point guard. Michigan State, Virginia and West Virginia were just three of many schools that inquired about his services.
“It was like high school again recruiting-wise,” McAlarney said.
But ultimately cooler heads and a thoughtful coach prevailed. As added emphasis to the New York trip, Brey even brought McAlarney’s No. 23 jersey with him to let his sophomore guard know it was reserved for his return.
“I really thought it was important to do it face to face,” Brey said Friday evening. “What we were talking about was stuff that couldn’t be discussed on the phone. I wanted him to see how passionate I was about wanting to work with him again.
“I’m very happy that being the decisive point guard that he is, he made a quick decision. It underlines again the kind of young man he is and that he is a Notre Dame man.”
Kyle’s father, Patrick, said the family felt betrayed by the university’s decision to dismiss Kyle from school and the decision to stay or transfer was a difficult one. Patrick said that his family and the Irish coaches agreed that suspending Kyle for the season would be appropriate. But when suspension from the team became a dismissal from the university, only anger outweighed surprise.
“The thing I don’t believe about the whole system is I don’t believe it doesn’t allow for a kids character to come out,” Patrick McAlarney said. “He’s going back. He’s showing his manhood. He’s showing his forgiveness, if they don’t want to do the same, that’s okay. He’s going back to play basketball and be a student athlete.”
“Kyle wants to be loyal to the team and loyal to his teammates and the program is going in the right direction for him.”
Kyle said he wasn’t sure what to think with the phone ringing off the hook from reporters and other coaches. He said his family, his faith, his loyalty and coach Brey helped him come to his decision to return.
“It was very tough because the last couple of days, emotions have just been flying and going crazy through my head of disappointment and anger,” Kyle said. “I feel happy about this decision to go back to Notre Dame. I’m very loyal to my teammates and the coaches, and I think it is a good way to show everyone what my true character is and that I’ll stand up to anything no matter what. I think this is a good way to show I’m still standing. I’m still there.”
As far as lessons learned?
“I’ve grown up a lot,” Kyle said. “I’ve matured because I’ve been through hell this past month. I was embarrassed publicly, nationally, over and over again. The thing is, I’ve owned up to my mistake and I accepted it like a man. My parents raised me to. It’s easy to say hold your head up when something goes wrong, but to actually do it, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I grew up a lot.”
