Pierre Pierce hit a game winning shot today AGAINST the Iowa Hawkeyes, the college basketball team with which he is most synonymous.
Pierre Pierce is the man who has forever tarnished the name of Steve Alford; and for good reason. He was involved in a pair of sexual assaults while a member of the Hawkeyes. In 2002, Pierce was accused of sexually assaulting a female student. He reached a plea deal brokered by university officials that allowed him to stay on the basketball team and accept a red-shirt season. This was after Coach Steve Alford proclaimed Pierce’s innocence.
About that “innocence…”
Pierce was sentenced to a combined nine years in prison in 2005 on multiple charges. He ended up serving 332 days, receiving time off for good behavior and participation in prison treatment programs, including a 4-5 month treatment program for sex offenders. He was to remain on probation for the next four years and one month, and had to register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry before his release.
You’ll remember Steve Alford for defending Pierce’s honor and character at all costs and also antagonizing/threatening/bullying the victim in that case. Since both Alford and Pierre Pierce have left Iowa, Alford has completely reversed his position on the individual character of Pierre Pierce.
Today, Pierre Pierce, who hails from the Chicago suburb of Westmont, is a member of Hyeres-Toulon, the team Iowa lost to today in southern France. Here’s Pierce’s tweet post game:
“Felt pretty good hitting my first game winner today lol wish the #hawkeyes best of luck this season and safe travels back.”
It was the first loss for the Iowa Hawkeyes on their European trip. They won their first four, with the final game vs. Fos-Ouest Basket at 11 A.M. tomorrow. You can follow the Hawkeyes EuroTrip here
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan, he also writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)