NCAA Throws the Book at USC

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June10, 2010
All Rights Reserved.                                

                 Throwing the baby out with the bathwater, the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. went overboard scapegoating the University of Southern California for lax “institutional controls.”  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.  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.  NCAA cited improper recruiting violations, including providing SC’s Heisman-Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush or his family unspecified money and perks.  Calling Bush a “former football student-athlete,” the NCAA lashed-out.

            No one denies that infractions take place from time to time in most high-profile collegiate athletic programs.  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.  Now a star running back with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, Bush refuted the NCAA’s findings, hoping SC would appeal the decision.  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.  SC football, one of the nation’s premier programs, brings the NCAA and PAC-10 millions of dollars in national TV ad revenue.  Banning the program from two years of post-season play also harms the NCAA and PAC-10, not only Los Angeles’ premier private university.

            No one in the SC football program was guilty of anything other than inconsequential token rewards to a student-athlete’s poor family.  If any prospective sporting agent gave anything to Reggie or his family, the overall university shouldn’t suffer the consequences.  NCAA officials seek to strip SC of all its titles and championships since 2004, when allegations surfaced over Bush’s preferential treatment.  NCAA officials ordered SC to reverse every victory in which Bush participated since the 2004 football season.  Whether or not an NCAA investigation yielded any rules violations, it’s unreasonable to punish all of SC players and athletic personnel.  It’s also beyond “cruel and unusual punishment” to undo an entire season that counted on the collective efforts of an entire athletic program.  Punishments must fit the crime, not reflect inappropriate overkill.

            Rendering Bush ineligible doesn’t invalidate the performances of SC’s entire football team.  “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.  Bush wasn’t accused or using performance-enhancing drugs or raping sorority sisters:  He was accused of receiving some fringe benefits from an overly zealous sports agent.  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.  Instead of punishing the entire program, the NCAA should confine its punishment to Reggie only.  Former Head Football Coach Pete Carroll shouldn't be held accountable for Reggie’s relationships with agents or anyone else.

            NCAA has overstepped its authority imposing what amounts to excessive and inappropriate punishment.  With the ban on post-season play into effect, SC promises to lose high-profile recruits to other programs.  “I am disappointed by (Thursday’s) decision and disagree with tbe NCAA’s findings.  If the University decides to appeal, I will continue to cooperate with the NCAA and USC, as I did the investigation.  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.  Bush, his family, former Coach Carroll or SC athletics shouldn't be punished for the shenanigans of one wannabe sports agent.  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.

            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.  Given the facts surrounding Bush’s infractions, the NCAA operated beyond the pale lashing out with unreasonable punishments against SC athletics.  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.  Bush’s infractions don’t warrant the kind of punishment imposed by the NCAA.  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.  No one denies that if some infractions occurred, there should be reasonable punishments.  NCAA’s actions amount to a tyrannical abuse of its authority that must be checked.

 John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.