This post was provided by Sascha Hansen:
Read the Sports Illustrated article, “Troy Burning: Mike Garrett saw no evil: Now USC is paying the price,” by George Dohrmann. You can find the article at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1170882/index.htm . After reading the article respond by stating if you think the punishment fits the violation. Is it too harsh or should more be added to it? Finally, do you think that it is fair that athletes and coaches at USC are being punished for violations that they did not commit?
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Given Mike Garrett's comments to a booster group immediately after the findings were released, deeming the findings primarily a function of jealousy of USC's success, I believe the punishment was just. An institution of higher education that hires and stands behind someone like that deserves what they get.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that student athletes who come later get caught in the mess, but that's the risk they take when they accept a scholarship at USC. When you make a choice to join an organization, you associate with all of it, not just the good stuff. As long as those athletes are given the opportunity to walk away without penalty, as the St. Paul football recruit was, then I think they're being treated fairly.
In the particular case of Mike Garrett the program is getting exactly what they deserve. The AD has the responsibility to run the entire athletic department and if that person doesn't than the entire program is going to suffer...whether its fair or not. The bottom line in the case of USC is Mike Garrett either made one of two choices. One, he choose to stick his head in the sand and had a don't tell me policy so I can deny any allegations or two, he knew about the illegal activities and just tried to hide them from the NCAA as long as he could. Either way, he is at fault for the program and I think its fair for everyone involved to be punished. The only people who you could say are being unfairly punished are the players themselves but I am pretty sure under NCAA rule each and every player could leave and join another program not under probation if they want (just like Seantrell Henderson did when he was let out of his scholorship and signed with Miami).
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think that this punishment is fair. I understand that no good deed goes unpunished, but we are punishing the wrong individuals. The players, faculty and staff that is there now has nothing to do with what happened in the past. The players, coaches and AD that were involved are all gone. So the individuals that had nothing to do with it are being punished. I understand that these player were representing an institution but there needs to be a better way to solve this problem.
ReplyDeleteIn the NFL we see many of there players get into trouble and as a result the only individuals that get into trouble are those solely involved in the violation.
I can understand both perspectives of this issue. While I think those involved definitely deserve to be punished, I do not think it is fair to punish those who were not involved. However, that is a risk now inherent in the game. Additionally, allegations of violations by Reggie Bush and USC have been widely publicized for a few years. Therefore, one must know the risk of sanctions being handed down, which will affect you, are great. I do find it ironic though that the NCAA focuses on protecting athletes, yet they punish those who commit no infractions – how does that protect them? Furthermore, those who committed the infractions have gone on to become successful (and wealthy) with other athletic teams – how does that seem fair? Additionally, I believe the agents and runners need to be held to higher standards. They know the rules and they will do what they can to bend and push the rules until the athlete gives in (not necessarily knowing what they are doing). Ultimately though the responsibility is that of the athlete to say no and resist the pressure imposed on them.
ReplyDeleteThe NCAA needs to come up with a by law punishment for stuff like this. This is not the first time it has happen nor will it be the last. I dont think that the NCAA is doing enough to make USC show remorse for there actions. Typical they would take the National championship trophy and not announce a winner for that year. For everyone involved there should be some type of punishment like the revoking of the Heisman trophy or the AP Player of the year honors.
ReplyDeleteI also feel as though the NCAA needs to put something of this nature into is bylaws. I don't agree that the punishment is fitting to the crime. I think that you only need to punish those involved, but I see how not much can happen to those that are so far removed. The athletes need to be taught by NCAA about runners and agents and what is acceptable and not accpetable. If they are then told, then they should be held accountable.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of new news on this topic since the SI article came out. Check out ESPN.com
ReplyDeleteIm with BRSA that I can really see both perspectives. The new players that are getting recruited to play for USC are having to pay the penalty which really isn't fair, but on the other hand, now Garrett knows that this matter is taken extremely serious. The NCAA needs to be super clear about this issue and athletes, AD's, coaches, ect need to be educated on this.
ReplyDeleteGreat start to this controversial topic about NCAA violations and who should have to pay the consequences for breaking the rules.
ReplyDeletePlease read the following article: Reggie Bush’s trophy void is right move, found at the following ESPN.com site http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/100721&sportCat=ncf . USC is trying to make the “right” move by giving back their replica Heisman Trophy. Also, many of you said that the athletic director should be reprimanded. Mike Garrett, has been removed as the AD at USC and Pat Hayden is taking over the athletics department. What steps should Hayden make to ensure that all programs move in the right direction? Is this enough, or are there other things that USC, as a university, should do to try to rebuild their image? Do you think Reggie Bush should be forced to give back his trophy? Is there any monetary amount that Bush should have to give to the school for financial penalties that they are enduring?
I think the punishemnt handed down by the NCAA is fitting. Whether or not they actually knew about it is not relevant, they should have known about it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Stacey's comment above about how athletes need to be told and if they arn't they can't be held accountable. The athletes in the NCAA are adults and should not be sat down and told what they can and can't do. In the "real" world, if I were to go and break the law, I can be held accountable for my actions even if I wasn't told it was against the law.
Who are we to judge what is fair and what is unfair. Do I think the punishments fit the crime, I don't know. Maybe that is because I don't exactly know what the crime is. What exactly did the two athletes do, not do, or take? Did they ever come out with what the violations were? I know of some of them, but not the total or complete list.
ReplyDeleteIf the NCAA is trying to make sure this doesn't happen again, I think they need to come down harder. This has been going on for decades and will continue to until a "real punishment" is handed down. And what that is, not a clue. But it would be an interesting conversation to be a part of.
Those being punished, you could say are being unfairly punished. And rightly so. But since these investigations first came out, these individuals had the chance to go other places. The players (incoming) did not have to accept a scholarship or attend school there. The coaches didn't have to take the job(s) offered. Heck, Lane Kiffin may even be a little responsible for yet is happening now. It wasn't that long ago he was an assistant there.
Where I get really ticked off is the part about the agents. These kids, whether they know better or not, get involved with these people who they think have their best interest. But the agent(s) only want the athlete as long as the athlete can make them money. The unfortunate athletes who came into contact with agent usually get suspended or released or whatever. But the agent doesn't get punished at all. Not even a slap on the wrist. I agree with Nick Saban, "keep the agents away from the college." If they're not going to help the college game out, why should they help the agents out.
Looking at the high profile athletes Bush and Mayo the NCAA had to punish USC weather all the facts were out or not. The sanctions were highly publicized and discussed making national news. Therefore, sanctions had to be placed, at the very least to set an example. Players receiving money is similar to steroids in baseball were everyone knows its happening and you might catch a few people but you will not be able to get everyone. SO by setting an example and having it be a strict punishment it can force the hand of the administrators to create a culture of compliance and discipline.USC has a stigma of being a baby sitter loose discipline University were players can get away with mostly anything. Now with the sanctions it lets the University and players know they will be held accountable for their actions. So even Bush and Mayo do not have any financial implications, but the public humility and the perception of the individuals and the University has changed due to the investigations. In an interview Bush looked upset and hurt that the University is ridding themselves of Bush pictures, his Heisman, etc, and will not be welcomed on campus now as he would have without the sanctions. Regardless, the punishment fits the crime the University will learn to follow the rules and pay attention to their players and the players have been publicly humiliation.
ReplyDeleteThe USC infractions, and those like them, occur mostly in big-time programs that are entertainment-oriented in the American society.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading “Athletes in Big-Time Programs” (pages 495-497 in Sport in Society text), respond to the following statements and/or questions. You do not need to discuss each point, but let them lead your response.
Whose responsibility is it that athletes receive a quality education and/or graduate?
Think of all of the athletes who are not going to make a professional team after college, what are the consequences of having athletes take “easy courses or the least challenging major”? How can this mentality be changed for big-time programs?
Give examples that you know or have heard about regarding college athletes and academics.
Are both men’s and women’s attitudes the same when regarding academics? Provide examples if possible.
The problem is we are spending all of our time trying to hand out blame to who we think is responsible for what happened. When in reality everybody...including the NCAA owns a piece of responsibility in the matter. The USC athletic dept, the USC football and basketball coaching staffs, the bush family, and the NCAA all are apart of the problem. I think one of the biggest issues with compliance that I have is the NCAA should have a compliance person (not hired by the university but hired by the NCAA) at each NCAA institution. The NCAA makes millions of dollars and has the resources to police the schools that participate. Should it really take the NCAA as long as it did do figure out what was going on at USC? When coaches talk about their compliance officers at each school one of the comments I hear all the time(and I use it as well) is "your compliance person working for the university or for the NCAA" There are so many rules that are open to interpretation and so much pressure from the coaches and administrators that compliance people become puppets of the institution.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Coach Thomas, the athletes of the future are being punished for past violations. USC has a strong program and despite the violations, they will continue to get top quality athletes. However, the NCAA is a large operation that tries to maintain equal opportunities for all athletes and schools, by punishing USC they are enforcing the rules they themselves have put in place for everyone to follow. They are using USC as an example for other universities.
ReplyDeleteIt is a valid point in saying that the wrong individuals are being punished for actions of others in the past. This becomes a slippery slope, and I am not saying this is right, but this could not go unpunished. The punishment was obviously one they felt fit the crime but the "criminals" are gone and those left behind are bearing the brunt. Is the a problem with those involved in the investigation and punishment process?
ReplyDelete