Flashback--November 7, 2006: Nikola Dragovic Suspended for 10 Games

by Ajax on May 12, 2008 3:13 PM PDT

Los Angeles - The UCLA Athletic Department has announced that freshman forward Nikola Dragovic (Belgrade, Serbia) has been ruled ineligible to compete in the first 10 regular season games of the 2006-07 season.

The ruling of ineligibility is because Dragovic competed on a team that the NCAA defines as a professional team due to the fact that some of the members of the club team, Mega Ishrana, received compensation.

While Dragovic never received compensation for the 10 games in which he played, an indeterminate number of members of the team did receive money.

Dragovic will be reinstated in time for the Bruins' 11th game of the season, a home contest with the University of Michigan on Dec. 23, 2006.

"Nikola (Dragovic) and his father (Vitomir Dragovic) tried to do everything the right way to keep his amateur status," UCLA head coach Ben Howland said. "They were unaware that anyone on the team had accepted money. This is very unfortunate, but we will comply with the NCAA's ruling."

So, the NCAA's definition of a professional team is one where "some of the members...receive compensation?"

You mean like houses, cars, and bling? You mean like clothes and flat screen TV's?

How exactly are the Southern Cal FB and BB programs different than Mega Ishrana?

Hypocrite much?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

4 recs | Comment 11 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

What's crazy

that UCLA suspended Dragovic for playing on a team that featured a player who had gotten “compensation.” Dragovic himself never received any compensation.

By that standards the entire SuC basketball team should get suspended for OJ2. Plus there is the whole Bush scandal with the football team.

The contrast between the two program is just staggering.

What a bunch of dirty SCums running the asylum in Heritage Hall.

If OJ2 and Bush went to UCLA, there would be a press conference this afternoon announcing the resignation of Dan Guerrerro, and the LA Times and rest of LA MSM would be writing about it for next couple of decades.

Shameful and disgusting.

by bluestreet on May 12, 2008 3:34 PM PDT 0 recs

So very true

and Frustrating, oh well what can you do

O.A.

by Ollie on May 12, 2008 7:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

Exactly the point godblesstyus95 brought up...

...back here.

So, if the NCAA is fair and even-handed (I know, hilarious proposition right, but just run with me on this for a second), then every returning player for U$C must be suspended for 10 games since they played on a team with guys who were receiving compensation.

Unless, of course, receiving a flat-screen TV, cell phone, and clothes for free isn’t actually “compensation” and relies on “what the definition of ‘is’ is” (you know, since getting a blow job isn’t actually “sexual relations”).

Likewise, shouldn’t this mean that whoever played for U$C with Reggie (who, unlike our boy MJD, is a budding NFL bust), should be suspended too?

by norcald503 on May 12, 2008 4:48 PM PDT 0 recs

It should be the whole season

Dragovic was suspended for 10 games because he played in 10 games with compensated players. So OJ played the whole season which means his team should be suspended for a whole season.

Of couse we know that would never happen at U$C.

by Gen2Bruin1987 on May 12, 2008 5:07 PM PDT 0 recs

We're just classy.

I take this as a testament to how classy UCLA is.

We knew this was ridiculous and we could of engaged ourself in a long and drawn out battle. However, we as a university have an impeccable image and are respected throughout the nation and Ben Howland knows this well.

Comparing ourselves to USC is – well, it’s just not a comparison at all, and I would never expect them to act with the class that our program shows on a daily basis.

by dproduct on May 12, 2008 6:06 PM PDT 0 recs

Also

Compare how UCLA took immediate self corrective measures when there was report of impropriety around Foster and Jaron Rush. If the SCumbags had any dignity they would put Garrett and Floyd on administrative leave today until the investigations for both Mayo and Bush were completed by the NCAA..

by UniversityofSecondChoice on May 13, 2008 6:35 AM PDT 0 recs

Good point

Steven Sample has done a respectable job in spinning Southern Cal into a decent academic university (athough we know the truth). The actions of Mike Garrett, Tim Floyd, and Peter Carroll are systematically destoying any academic goodwill that Southern Cal has established as a result of Sample’s efforts.

I could easily see Floyd taking the hit for this. Let’s see how serious Sample is about maintaing any inegrity in the process.

by Ajax on May 13, 2008 2:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for action, Ajax

It’s not like this is the first time any of this stuff has been happening. It is an inherent part of the process at justsc. I think one part of the selection process for running justsc is a visual acuity test—if you have any peripheral vision at all then you’re disqualified.

by Fox 71 on May 13, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

Oh I'm not holding my breath

I’m sure the attitude in South Central is to just hope this all dies down like the sexual assaults, drug dealing, steroid allegations, Bush-gate, dog fighting, and other issues that permeate that semi-pro athletic facility that some refer to as an institution of higher education.

by Ajax on May 13, 2008 4:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

They will buy time

NCAA will start their “investigation.” Meanwhile the Heritage Hall will go on a massive PR blitz through LA’s MSM. After the NCAA investigation is done they will impose some penalties on their worthless basketball program. Floyd will get to stick around but be on a “short leash” (wink, wink). And the Humanitarian will continue his business as usual.

by Nestor on May 13, 2008 6:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hey guys, I mean, why are we surprised

All of this is happening at school stupid enough to produce a commercial that admits (what all Bruins have known for too long) that they admit students for things “other than SAT scores and grades.”

Things like how many runners they know.
Things like their potential to slash, stab, and flee.
Things like the likelihood of bringing armed goons to depositions.

Deny on!

by norcald503 on May 13, 2008 12:03 PM PDT 0 recs