Manager Rhosilyn released a statement clarifying the team's decision to remove Jerrus Lumijarvi from Determined Gaming's management and announcing that Pr0lly will be replacing Arthelon in the mid lane.
As has been recent tradition for the team, drama has followed Determined Gaming over the last month. Some saw management change stress as a potential reason for the team's up and down performance. One of the new additions to the team's management, Jerrus Lumijarvi, was recently accused of bullying and sexual harrassment between 2009 and 2011 by four teenage girls in Oregon. Allegations brought against him include sexual assault, extorting and spreading nude photos, and bullying of middle school girls.
In Lynnea "Rhosilyn" MacKay's statement on Reddit, she claims these charges were largely false.
It was discussed with the team and Jerrus and it has been cleared up that those charges were not only sealed files but also largely based on false accusations. We have since studied the police reports as well as files from the trial that were relevant to the situation and confirmed that what Jerrus had told us was correct.
—Rhosilyn, 2014
After consulting with Riot, however, Determined Gaming decided to remove Jerrus Lumijarvi from management staff, largely because of how the news was received. The organization was unaware of the accusations until they were posted on Reddit, and seemingly irreperable damage has been done to Lumijarvi's image.
In addition to alterations in management, the team also announced that they will be changing their mid laner as they enter the CokeZero League. Neil "Pr0lly" Hammad, mid laner for both CompLexity and Velocity Gaming while the teams were in their prime in the Challenger scene, will be replacing Taylor "Arthelon" Eder. After his poor performance against Evil Geniuses' Eugene "Pobelter" Park in the Promotion tournament, his removal from the team may not seem surprising.
According to Rhosilyn, however, Arthelon's departure was amicable, and accounting for his recent Twitter posts, it seems like Arthelon may have left the team due to a lack of interest in playing the mid lane role.
I may post a blog about some stuff, I am also looking for a new team, maybe not as a mid laner though...
— Arthelon (@Arthelon) January 3, 2014
Either way, Pr0lly's reputation for off meta picks and strong laning presence should fit in with Determined Gaming's reputation and style. His addition could be something the team needs to turn their huge loss in the Promotion around and set them in good stead for success in the Coke Zero League.
Determined Gaming Roster
Jon "Westrice" Nguyen (Top)
Ram "Brokenshard" Djemal (Jungle)
Neil "Pr0lly" Hammad (Mid)
Robert "ROBERTxLEE" Lee (Marksman)
Royce "Bubbadub" Newcomb
Source: Reddit
Headline Image: Vexx Gaming
