Note Of Caution From Indiana ...
by Nestor on Feb 15, 2008 4:03 AM PST
in News
Email
PrintNormally I don't wade into stories concerning other major basketball programs (especially if it is not in the Pac-10). However, the Sampson/Indiana story has been on my mind. If you have been completely out of the loop on this here is Pat Forde from ESPN with a reset:
Perhaps sooner rather than later.
Sampson read a statement after Wednesday's game that refuted some of the NCAA allegations and indicated the coach would rather fight than quit.
"The allegation that I knowingly acted contrary to the sanctions imposed on me for violations that occurred while I was at Oklahoma is not true," Sampson said. "I have never intentionally provided false and misleading information to the NCAA. I intend to work within the NCAA process on this matter, and I look forward to my opportunity to do so."
Sampson answered no questions on the matter before exiting a crowded media room with his wife, Karen, and two children, Kellen and Lauren. Behind the scenes, he has been working on a public-relations campaign aimed at burnishing his reputation, but that campaign faces tougher odds than Mike Huckabee's.
Athletic director Rick Greenspan -- whose own job would seem to be on the line, after he took a chance and hired Sampson -- said Wednesday afternoon that he expected his man to coach against Wisconsin. He offered no ironclad assurances beyond that, saying Sampson would coach "for the foreseeable future."
"What that means to me," Greenspan said, "is that we have work to do."
That work will center on how to address these very serious allegations, and how vigorously to defend the coach and his assistants who are accused of them. The coach and his program have arrived at a high-stakes crossroads. How they go forward from here likely will affect Indiana basketball for years to come.
Going back to the UCLA angle, the obvious reason I am posting this story is to remind once again how careful Coach Rick Neuheisel has to be with his once in a life time opportunity at UCLA.
Yes we know CRN made mistakes early in his career at CU and at UDub. And he left UDub not because of recruiting or any NCAA violations but because of those two institutions stepping over the line to cover up their incompetency.
That said once again CRN needs to understand he has to be more than careful at UCLA and abide by all the guidelines and operate within the parameters set up by the compliance department Morgan Center. He has no other choice. And if we ever see these kinds of allegations resulting in charges of major rules violations by the NCAA, we will be looking for accountability (and facts) instead of just circling the wagon.
Also, one has to wonder if the NCAA could be so swift and decisive wrt to Indiana, what exactly is taking them so long wrt to you know ... Southern Cal and Reggie Bush.
Anyway, back to our regular programming.
GO BRUINS.
4 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Well, Nestor, there you go again
Sampson called Recruits! Kids who were only thinking of attending Indiana. Of the 500 or so such calls, it looks like those Illegal Activities really paid off, because the last time I looked, Indiana had well over 500 guys on scholarship on their team. (Sure, it's a little unwieldy for road trips, but it good depth.)
justsc, on the other hand, paid the student-athletes on their team, and paid them big money. justsc's players were in souped-up cars, and their parents were in luxury houses.
Can't you see the difference here? Have you no sense of perspective? Of course the ncaa investigators are a little confused about how to proceed. And anyway, most of them are helping OJ1 look for the real killer (and helping OJ2 figure out who busted the teammate's jaw.)
I wonder how many ex-ncaa investigators or retired ncaa investigators are on staff somewhere at justsc, or on the payroll of some justsc booster. But I digress.
There is a major difference in making a phone call to a recruit and paying your players (or having agents pay your players.) If you can't see the difference, then ..., well, then I suppose you might qualify to work for the ncaa.
Message to CRN
In a fair world, there would be no comparison between the situations of the two.
However, as both you and Fox point out, we don't live in a fair world.
And, you are 100% right that CRN will most likely be scrutinized and held to a higher standard because of his "past".
All the while, the NCAA will turn a blind eye to what goes on across town.
OT
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/ncaa/02/13/usc.coliseum.ap/index.html
This just in from the Crapaseum Commission
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
