NCAA reopens UNC academic fraud investigation.

Submitted by Mr Miggle on

We'll see if anything comes of it this time. To me, this had been the most frustrating NCAA investigation of all. We can argue about amateurism, but not even providing their athletes with an education is the most egregious offense a school can commit. It would be nice if the NCAA agrees.

 

 

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/11157920/ncaa-reopens-inve…

Mmmm Hmmm

June 30th, 2014 at 8:56 PM ^

There is an ex-player witness with no axe to grind (at least that I have seen reported) that isn't batshit crazy (hi Maurice Clarett). Also, it is about academic fraud--night in the member school and NCAA wheelhouse--not something outside school that is at least theoretically harder to track, like paying players through bag men. This would be the boulder that breaks the camel's back for me if the NCAA doesn't come down very hard on UNC and Roy Williams.

grumbler

June 30th, 2014 at 9:23 PM ^

Agreed.  There is more than enough evidence here to absolutely hammer UNC, and the NCAA needs to do that or lose all credibility (however much that remains).

We probably all also know this isn't an isolated case, and the others need to be scared off.

As the OP says, the least the member schools need to do is deliver the education they offered.  For most athletes, that's the only thing they will get out of playing.

Public_97_Ivy

June 30th, 2014 at 11:07 PM ^

I fear the NCAA will refrain from taking too much action, as any deep investigation into other schools might turn up further misconduct.  This would completely undermine the NCAA's entire reason for being.  This, I imagine, could lead to one of two things.  (1) Schools supporting "club" type sports where non-students play under the school's name, or (2) the schools break from the NCAA model and offer remedial degrees under the umbrella of a new organization.

Clark Griswold

June 30th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^

Do people really expect anything to come of it? They let $cam Newton get cash money to play for Auburn. I'm sure they could care less about academic fraud. UNC hoops is a major cash cow, that's all that matters to the NCAA.

APBlue

June 30th, 2014 at 9:36 PM ^

Personally, do I expect it?  No, I don't.  What I hope for is the NCAA to finally realize they need to hammer someone to set an example.  For the sake of their own credibility, fucking nail someone (Miami, OSU, UNC, AU, UA, UO, etc.).  Punishment is not only for the organization found guilty of wrongdoing, it also should serve as a deterrent for other organizations.  

Unfortunately, what it seems like continually happens is the NCAA acts like a professional league commissioner by excusing behavior of their constituents.

bacon

July 1st, 2014 at 7:38 AM ^

I expect the NCAA should work damn hard to figure out if there's academic fraud here and come down hard if there is. IMO, it goes to the heart of their case in court, they say players are students first. Them not enforcing penalties for payments doesn't hurt them as much as not enforcing academic fraud. I suspect that arguement in the court case is worth more to them than even the cash cow that is UNC basketball.

LSAClassOf2000

June 30th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^

One thing that happened a few days ago that I found very intriguing was that the charges against the professor who had been charged with fraud initially might now get those charges dropped. The reason that the prosecutor's office gave - per a Bloomberg article - was that Nyang'oro has been very cooperative in the continuing investigation into academic fraud, so this development might be worth watching. 

bluesalt

June 30th, 2014 at 9:47 PM ^

Should have done a better job on this earlier, but when you're arguing that education is a valuable benefit, it looks beyond bad when school's don't provide that benefit.

ppudge

June 30th, 2014 at 11:28 PM ^

Exactly. The NCAA argument is that they don't need to pay the players because they benefit from the free education. If they're not even getting that, then what?



Of course, I have always said you get out of your education what you put into it. If these dipshit players don't want to take advantage of the education offered, then perhaps there needs to be a minor league or something so certain athletes don't have to "play" school.

Don

June 30th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^

some small dipshit unimportant school will get the death penalty for doing the same thing UNC is guilty of, while the Tarheels will get a friendly wrist slap and a hearty "tut-tut."

MadMatt

July 1st, 2014 at 3:28 AM ^

My speculation is that the NCAA is probably closing in on a member of the Chess team who smoked a little marijuana before going to class and who clearly needs a season long suspension due to a clear but obscure NCAA regulation on non-performance enhancing substances used out of season.

Public_97_Ivy

June 30th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^

I'm saddened by these revelations about UNC's academic fraud.  Though, if I was the NCAA, I'd tread very lightly. We all know these things happen at most institutions. Hell, I'm sure we even have skeletons in our closet. If this turns out as badly as everyone thinks it will, then another school will eventually surface, and possibly another.

If the NCAA comes out guns blazing, I wouldn't be surprised if the big schools and conferences finance their own governing body in some way, shape, or form to allow lower academic standards/athletic practices.

But at this point, I just want a decision to be made. I'm tired of hearing about it (not that my measly opinion means anything).

Call me pessimistic, but I'll believe UNC gets a deserved punishment when I see it.