ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>OnlineColumnist®.com: Putin Punishes Georgia</title> <meta name="generator" content="Adobe GoLive 4"> <style type="text/css"> .style3 { height: 68px; } .MsoNormal {} h1 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; } .style4 { font-size: large; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial; } .style6 { height: 69px; } h2 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; } .style7 { font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; } </style> </head> <body bgcolor="white" vlink="black"> <center> &nbsp;<table cool width="624" height="2719" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" gridx="16" showgridx gridy="16" showgridy> <tr> <td width="133" height="118" rowspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"> <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="110" width="62" src="images/discobolos.logo.transp.gif" border="0"></a></td> <td width="7" height="118" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="482" colspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="140" class="style6"><img height="75" width="450" src="images/banner.GIF"></td> <td width="1" height="118" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="1" class="style6"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="79"></td> </tr> <tr height="39"> <td width="182" height="39"></td> <td width="300" height="39" valign="top" align="left" xpos="322"><a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="14" width="267" src="images/divisionofNEW.GIF" border="0"></a></td> <td width="1" height="39"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="39"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="624" colspan="6" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0" class="style3"> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="black" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#99ffcc" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td align="center"> <div align="left"> <a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> HOME</strong></font></a><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> &#8226; <a href="articlesindex.html">ARTICLES</a> &#8226; <a href="books.html">BOOKS</a> &#8226; <a href="teflon.html"> THE </a><a href="teflon.html">TEFLON</a><a href="teflon.html"> REPORT</a> &#8226; <a href="mailto:letters@onlinecolumnist.com"> REACTIONS</a> &#8226; <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html">ABOUT DISCOBOLOS</a></strong></font></div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr height="2"> <td width="133" height="2"></td> <td width="489" height="2576" colspan="3" rowspan="2" align="left" xpos="133" content valign="top" csheight="2573"> <p class="style4">NCAA Throws the Book at USC</p> <p><b><font face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica">by John M. Curtis</font></b><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b><a href="books.html"><br> </a></b></font><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b> (310) 204-8700</b></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><i>Copyright June10, 2010<br>All Rights Reserved. </i></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <p class="MsoNormal"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="style7">T</span>hrowing the baby out with the bathwater, the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. went overboard scapegoating the University of Southern California for lax  institutional controls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Stripping USC of its 2004 national football championship, banning the program competing in any post-season play and canceling 28 athletic scholarships, the NCAA engaged in overkill, having devastating consequences on the nation s 26th -ranked national university.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Losing the TV and ad revenue from its top-ranked football program undermines the university s resources to help subsidize the costly price of private tuition for many deserving SC students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>NCAA cited improper recruiting violations, including providing SC s Heisman-Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush or his family unspecified money and perks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Calling Bush a  former football student-athlete, the NCAA lashed-out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>No one denies that infractions take place from time to time in most high-profile collegiate athletic programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Treating SC as if it committed grand larceny, the NCAA went overboard, punishing the entire athletic program and university for the actions of a zealous sports agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Now a star running back with the NFL s New Orleans Saints, Bush refuted the NCAA s findings, hoping SC would appeal the decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But even if Athletic Director Mike Garrett or former Head Coach Pete Carroll, now head coach of NFL s Seattle Seahawks, overlooked the alleged infractions, the NCAA shouldn t shoot itself in the foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>SC football, one of the nation s premier programs, brings the NCAA and PAC-10 millions of dollars in national TV ad revenue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Banning the program from two years of post-season play also harms the NCAA and PAC-10, not only Los Angeles premier private university.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>No one in the SC football program was guilty of anything other than inconsequential token rewards to a student-athlete s poor family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If any prospective sporting agent gave anything to Reggie or his family, the overall university shouldn t suffer the consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>NCAA officials seek to strip SC of all its titles and championships since 2004, when allegations surfaced over Bush s preferential treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>NCAA officials ordered SC to reverse every victory in which Bush participated since the 2004 football season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Whether or not an NCAA investigation yielded any rules violations, it s unreasonable to punish all of SC players and athletic personnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It s also beyond  cruel and unusual punishment to undo an entire season that counted on the collective efforts of an entire athletic program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Punishments must fit the crime, not reflect inappropriate overkill.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Rendering Bush ineligible doesn t invalidate the performances of SC s entire football team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> I have great love for the University of Southern California and I very much regret the turn that this matter has taken, not only for USC, but for the fans and the players, said Bush in a statement to ESPN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Bush wasn t accused or using performance-enhancing drugs or raping sorority sisters:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He was accused of receiving some fringe benefits from an overly zealous sports agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If Bush was ruled ineligible to play during the 2005 season, the Heisman committee promised to consider revoking his 2005 Heisman Trophy, college football s most prestigious award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Instead of punishing the entire program, the NCAA should confine its punishment to Reggie only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Former Head Football Coach Pete Carroll shouldn&#39;t be held accountable for Reggie s relationships with agents or anyone else.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>NCAA has overstepped its authority imposing what amounts to excessive and inappropriate punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>With the ban on post-season play into effect, SC promises to lose high-profile recruits to other programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> I am disappointed by (Thursday s) decision and disagree with tbe NCAA s findings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If the University decides to appeal, I will continue to cooperate with the NCAA and USC, as I did the investigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In the mean time, I will continue to focus on making a positive impact for the University and for the community where I live, said Bush, dumbfounded by the NCAA s excessive punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Bush, his family, former Coach Carroll or SC athletics shouldn&#39;t be punished for the shenanigans of one wannabe sports agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While there s plenty of blame to go around, stripping SC of its national championships, expected TV ad revenues and post-season play goes over the top.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>USC, its coaches, players and all those connected with its football program, can t possibly control all the unscrupulous sports agents trying to earn a living off its talented athletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Given the facts surrounding Bush s infractions, the NCAA operated beyond the pale lashing out with unreasonable punishments against SC athletics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Because SC relies so heavily on football TV revenue to provide financial aid to its many needy students, the NCAA went over the top robbing a national university of its hard-earned revenue stream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Bush s infractions don t warrant the kind of punishment imposed by the NCAA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>SC and all those responsible for profiting off its football program--including the PAC-10--must fight the NCAA to the fullest extent of the law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>No one denies that if some infractions occurred, there should be reasonable punishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>NCAA s actions amount to a tyrannical abuse of its authority that must be checked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> &nbsp;<![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><b>John M. Curtis </b>writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He&#x2019;s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of <a href="books.html">Dodging The Bullet</a> and <a href="books.html">Operation Charisma</a>.</p> </td> <td width="1" height="2576" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="1" height="2"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="2"></td> </tr> <tr height="2574"> <td width="133" height="2574" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"><img height="172" width="111" src="images/johninframe3.jpg"></td> <td width="1" height="2574"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="2574"></td> </tr> <tr height="1" cntrlrow> <td width="133" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="133" height="1"></td> <td width="7" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="7" height="1"></td> <td width="182" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="182" height="1"></td> <td width="300" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="300" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"></td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="597"> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica"> <hr noshade size="1"> </font><a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> Homecobolos> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">©1999-2005 <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"> Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.</a><br> (310) 204-8300<br> All Rights Reserved. </font></td> </tr> </table> </center> </body> </html>