Not downplaying this situation at all.
Since this incident took place over 6 weeks ago, the University and the coaches are fully aware of this situation. Why it got out to the press at this late date is anyone’s guess. As far as I can ascertain, Max is still on the team and enrolled at the University.
This a a misdemeanor assault charge, it will likely be plea bargained down and dismissed before it hits the November court date.
I do hope that Max learns from this situation. He seems to entertain some wild emotional high and low swings; his confidence appears to be fragile. I’m hoping that the steadiness and quiet confidence of Coach Dru rubs off on him.

That article better be omitting a lot of information that the school/staff has access to or else they have a lot of questions to answer. Not good.

NapaDuke wrote:

I would like the University, the coaching staff, and every fan to take a step back.  It was a personal argument between two people.  That we know.  If Max had actually punched this girl in the mouth, she would have needed stitches and likely a broken jaw. (We are talking about a top trained athlete here)  None of us know her intent to get him in trouble either.  But here he is. At 23 years old and likely a career on the line,  I'd like to see the whole story first.  Too sketchy at this point. 

Napa starting the ‘25/‘26 campaign with a bang!
I guess we see what we want to see…

Styles1229 wrote:

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

Not downplaying this situation at all.
Since this incident took place over 6 weeks ago, the University and the coaches are fully aware of this situation. Why it got out to the press at this late date is anyone’s guess. As far as I can ascertain, Max is still on the team and enrolled at the University.
This a a misdemeanor assault charge, it will likely be plea bargained down and dismissed before it hits the November court date.
I do hope that Max learns from this situation. He seems to entertain some wild emotional high and low swings; his confidence appears to be fragile. I’m hoping that the steadiness and quiet confidence of Coach Dru rubs off on him.

If there’s any truth to this situation I hope Dru throws him off the team. This is not some 17/18 year old kid. He’s a 23 year old man who’s been around multiple programs and lived away from home for several years now. I too hope he learns from this, and I’d like to think Dru could help him become a better man - but in his free time. Not as coach to player. He has a responsibility to the rest of the team, the University, and the fan base. This cannot be tolerated.

If there is no truth, you just smeared him?

NapaDuke wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

PhoenixRising2 wrote:

Not downplaying this situation at all.
Since this incident took place over 6 weeks ago, the University and the coaches are fully aware of this situation. Why it got out to the press at this late date is anyone’s guess. As far as I can ascertain, Max is still on the team and enrolled at the University.
This a a misdemeanor assault charge, it will likely be plea bargained down and dismissed before it hits the November court date.
I do hope that Max learns from this situation. He seems to entertain some wild emotional high and low swings; his confidence appears to be fragile. I’m hoping that the steadiness and quiet confidence of Coach Dru rubs off on him.

If there’s any truth to this situation I hope Dru throws him off the team. This is not some 17/18 year old kid. He’s a 23 year old man who’s been around multiple programs and lived away from home for several years now. I too hope he learns from this, and I’d like to think Dru could help him become a better man - but in his free time. Not as coach to player. He has a responsibility to the rest of the team, the University, and the fan base. This cannot be tolerated.

If there is no truth, you just smeared him?

And if it is true, you just smeared her

NapaDuke wrote:

Styles1229 wrote:

NapaDuke wrote:

If there is no truth, you just smeared him?

And if it is true, you just smeared her

So, yes, you know her?  No.   I said everyone take a step back. You didn't. You accused Max. You don't know her, nor their personal argument. you know nothing.
 

For the rest of the board, I PROMISE I will not continue this back and forth with Napa after this post.

Dude, what did I accuse Max of?  I responded to a report in the press? I hedged all of my remarks with “if this is true.” 

You, on the other hand, made ridiculous speculative claims about her injuries and are seemingly defending Max against these charges with no info other than published reports to the contrary.

I wonder if , by your statement, “you don’t know her or their personal argument” you are saying there could be some justification for his behavior if it were to be true.

I won’t subject the rest of the board to this back and forth anymore and I regret entertaining Napa’s statements in the first place.

There are always two sides to every story.  We have not heard the other side.  Could it be that she assaulted him and he was just protecting himself?  We don't know. Bottom line is I agree with Napa in that we should just chill and not rush to judgement.  I am confident that Duquesne will do the right thing.

I’m very curious of people’s thoughts on this.  We all hope that the events described in the article are false. That’s a given.  He is currently charged with simple assault which is not a serious crime, and, as Phoenix pointed out, the charges will likely be reduced/pled down to community service or nothing.  So waiting to see how the legal situation plays out is almost a moot point.  In that case, no additional info will come out that is not rumor or speculation. So I believe we know now everything we will ever know about this thing. My question to the folks on this board is:  if you knew that the situation played out exactly as described in the published reports, would you support Max remaining on the team and being a regular contributor over the course of the season? 

I would not.

Just let the situation run its course before drawing any conclusions.

https://duquesneduke.org/simple-assault-charge-against-basketball-player-to-be-dropped/news/

We still have mot heard Max's side of the story. The fact that he accepted a misdemeanor plea deal does not mean that everything in the complaint was true.  It just means Max made a decision that allowed him to put the situation behind him and finish out his last year of eligibility. I also would not read anything into the University not commenting.  That is just good business practices.

By all accounts from people I speak to Max is a good person and teammate. I have no problem, and support the decision if they feel he is deserving of another chance.

Last edited by CLK (10/08/2025 4:30 pm)

These are 3 diverse & logical responses to this article. I am not entirely sure where I stand on whether Max should continue to receive payment for representing the university or not.
Though it is an absolute long shot, I would like for Max to be interviewed by a respected journalist & give his side on the record. The same goes for Coach Dru.
I have no issue with the university exercising its right to remain silent on this issue, for the purpose of maintaining good business practices, except to note that, by definition, Duquesne University is not a business & that perhaps a revision of the university's mission statement is in order.

Duquesne University Mission Statement:
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a Catholic university founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, the Spiritans, and sustained through a partnership of laity and religious. Duquesne serves God by serving students through:

• Commitment to excellence in liberal and professional education
• Profound concern for moral and spiritual values
• Maintaining an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity
• Service to the Church, the community, the nation, and the world

Last edited by phil95 (10/08/2025 6:13 pm)