lilpenny1316

April 4th, 2012 at 3:56 PM ^

...so I've spent the last 12 years following them from somewhat close range.  All of their teams, minus the girls hoops squad, were terrible so someone got a very poor return on their investment.

turtleboy

April 4th, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^

I thought I remembered seeing a pbs special on intercollegiate athletics and Howard students discussing how they were relaxing their high educational standards for student athletes and what a big deal that was with their small enrollment. They debated the value of sports at a university and what the price of the programs were really worth. Maybe it was another small, private school, but i'm not sure. Still, the point they made was the athletics at smaller schools are really only for the benefit of the students to broaden their horizons and not to draw in "big dollars." If the Athletic Department lost it's way a bit, maybe dropping the programs and starting over is for the best there.

lilpenny1316

April 4th, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^

According to a guy on the BOWLING team, this is at least one major reason for the suspension:

A member of the Howard bowling team says a senior athletic administrator told the team the university is investigating problems with textbook vouchers given to athletes. According to the bowler, the university allowed athletes to spend money that they didn't use on books on whatever they wanted, a possible violation of NCAA rules. The bowler says the university is demanding that any money spent improperly be repaid to Howard and that athletes won't be able to register for classes until they clear up the matter.

I would have thought registration concluded back in January at the start of the semester, but I guess things have changed there.  Pardon the posts.  I'm trying to stay away from the Trey Burke meltdown.  

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

April 4th, 2012 at 4:39 PM ^

If every athlete, or potentially every athlete, got these vouchers and used them improperly, then they're all ineligible.  Maybe don't think of it as shutting down the program so much as a large-scale Reggie Johnson deal.  (Reggie Johnson was the Miami basketball player that the Canes held out of a game or two this season til they could determine what the deal was with some small-fry travel benefits for family members.)