OT: NCAA Denies Playing Favorites With osu and Auburn (Updated)

All I have to say in response to the NCAA is...Srsly?

The NCAA responded to critics today by making this statement today.

"Money is not a motivator or factor as to why one school would get a particular decision versus another. Any insinuation that revenue from bowl games in particular would influence NCAA decisions is absurd, because schools and conferences receive that revenue, not the NCAA."

You forgot about the advertising. If players from osu are suspended for the Sugar Bowl and they start to get clobbered, a lot of people will turn the channel, missing the advertising. Advertisers may be cautious next time around about sponsoring BCS bowls. At least that is my take.

Link for ESPN story

Here is the official release from the NCAA

Doesn't change my Epinion. In fact it may increase the ANGAR I have for the NCAA.

In relation to the decision last week involving rules violations with football student-athletes at Ohio State, several current student-athletes were interviewed as part of our fact-gathering process. They indicated they were not aware there was a violation and learned of the issue based on later rules education, which was confirmed by OSU through interviews and supporting documentation.

Inadequate rules education is often cited in student-athlete reinstatement and other waiver cases (such as inaccurate or misguided academic advising), but it is just one of many factors considered in these types of situations.

Ok...They didn't know/did it for their families.(No way) Also would this be a failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance? From the mouths of osu's coaches and AD came the admission that they didn't adequately inform players of the rules against selling memorabilia. Will there be a investigation for this?

There have been questions as well since last week related to the withholding policy and student-athlete reinstatement for NCAA championships and bowl games. This policy was developed and implemented by the Division I membership, specifically the Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement and approved by the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet, in 2004. It allows for suspending a reinstatement condition in specific instances involving NCAA championships or bowl games.  It recognizes the unique opportunity these events provide at the end of a season, and they are evaluated differently from a withholding perspective for student-athlete reinstatement.

What is the unique opportunity Mr. Emmert? Are you teaching student-athletes a proper moral lesson on breaking rules/laws with this exception to punishment? I'm sure here in the real world the police would let me go to my wedding if I was caught selling "hot" items illegally, wouldn't they?

Gag me with a spork.