Intentional Grounding, The 2011 Rogue Coach NCAA Infractions

[CajunDawgPound]

We've denied the money, but when they complete their investigation, they MAY have more info on how the housing and tuition bills were paid. Realistically, why would a student Be specific as to where payments were made and when? Maybe because it happened the way they're singing? If that's the case, where'd the money come from. Hopefully not from a booster seen frequently on the sidelines. If that's the case, this will REALLY get ugly for EVERYONE. No assistant coach has ANY money of his own to spread around.

[Ragin4U]

There are cases where the direct offense, through investigation, warrants "lack of institutional control" reprimands. There are cases where the program in question has no connection, through investigation, to the actions of a particular individual. My gripe is when the latter is the case and the NCAA/university simply imposes sanctions on the university/itself... when there is no evidence the infraction was known to anyone but an individual. When an individual can profit (in this case professionally) from the infraction, you cannot say that the university contributed. You must investigate. And if there is no evidence that anyone did know about, or should have known about the activity... there should be ZERO direct punishment to the university.

A university getting punished, even if they benefit from the infraction, where there is no evidence anyone other than the individual knew about the deed, and there's no investigative evidence of a "lack of institutional control", does nothing to stop these kinds of infractions. And too often, the individual is far removed from the scene of the crime, and isn't held directly accountable.

I anticipate the day that the NCAA gets sued, class action, by a group of boosters, and loses a large sum of money... and establishes precedence for in kind civil suits. There are many cases that the whole gets punished for the sins of the few, but not by design. This is such an arbitrary system of justice, it intentionally punishes the whole for the actions of, in some cases, an individual... with no evidence whatsoever that anyone other than the individual is involved.

That said... I'm always concerned when I see a company (or university) "cut a deal" or "fall on their sword"... before the trial. In our case, I still see this as a legal consultant, versed in NCAA protocol, advising the university to self impose in order to move forward, and avoid the systematic wrath of the NCAA.

One of these days... some boosters will unite and punch a hole in the NCAA in civil court... especially in light of the unbalanced distribution of justice in these cases. I would say that my emotional distress at this very moment is worth one million... I mean... one billion dollars.

I agree with this 100%. The student-athletes get punished for the actions of an adult who is supposed to guide them. Doesn't make sense. Even the heinous actions at Penn State did not call for the almost death penalty the program initially received. The coaches yes, the kids, no. But then again the NCAA is not known as being a bastion of common sense.

[CajunDawgPound]

We may as well pocket any conference app. We're in the Sun Belt for AT LEAST 15 more years. Time to update my fall fishing and hunting calendar for those years.

[CajunJack55]

I agree with this 100%. The student-athletes get punished for the actions of an adult who is supposed to guide them. Doesn't make sense. Even the heinous actions at Penn State did not call for the almost death penalty the program initially received. The coaches yes, the kids, no. But then again the NCAA is not known as being a bastion of common sense.

Players at Penn State were free to leave the program without having to sit out. They got what they deserved but that's a totally different situation/discussion.

[CajunJack55]

We may as well pocket any conference app. We're in the Sun Belt for AT LEAST 15 more years. Time to update my fall fishing and hunting calendar for those years.

that's the spirit!....

[Zeebart21]

The nice lady who apparently ran the ACT testing site at Wayne County and did outstanding work getting kids qualified to go to college.

Seriously, she sounds like the person Kathy Bates played in The Blind Side.

I was joking..

[Ragin4U]

Players at Penn State were free to leave the program without having to sit out. They got what they deserved but that's a totally different situation/discussion.

The players deserved to have their program almost shuttered?

[CajunRed]

No way Steve Hale let's the NCAA find out about this. Thanks Farmer.

Seriously?

[CajunDawgPound]

It makes sense that member institutions should do their 24/7 due diligence when hiring people...and then looking over those peoples shoulders 100% of the time. We obviously didn't do that well in that department and have failed to do so on more than this occasion. We are members of THEIR club by OUR choice and can be elemenated by THEIR choice if we protest too loudly. Our best bet henceforth is to bend over and take our punishment without hesitation.

[DieHard1280]

Suckbelt for life! Good thing we're comfortable.

[CajunJack55]

The players deserved to have their program almost shuttered?

Not saying the players or fans deserved that but it had to be done. Players were given a chance to leave, they still have a program and they will rebuild. Again, this is a totally different situation.

[CajunDawgPound]

that's the spirit!....

Well, how do you propose to get any other conference to see us any differently than everyone outside Lafayette has had us pegged since the early 1970's? It took Louisiana sports writers 40 years and some political maneuvering to forget our last major run-in with the NCAA so if this one is only 15 years, that'll be great.