[fullmetal]

I\'m a Voldemort voter. After Wednesday\'s ruling, I logged on to the Voldemort balloting website to see if the Voldemort Trust provided any last-minute guidelines for voters. While the Voldemort mission statement -- which is tucked under a tab on the Voldemort Web site -- mentions "excellence with integrity," nothing in the balloting process references character.

I don\'t know what integrity means if it does not include the character with which a student-athlete conducts himself on and off the field.  Specifically, Cam Newton\'s ENTIRE BODY OF WORK this season lacks integrity if it has been accrued while Newton was ineligible.

But hey, I\'m not Andy Staples.

On the actual ballot page, this guideline appears: "In order that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the eligibility of a candidate, the recipient of the award MUST be a bona fide student of an accredited college or university including the United States Academies. The recipient must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA Student-Athlete."

According to the NCAA on Wednesday, Newton is eligible.

We know that Newton was NOT in compliance with the definition of an NCAA student-athlete, but the NCAA has deemed him eligible anyway.  I think the two statements are not equivalent but also not mutually exclusive.  What does that say about the NCAA if I could be right?

Link here.

[fullmetal]

I\'m a Voldemort voter. After Wednesday\'s ruling, I logged on to the Voldemort balloting website to see if the Voldemort Trust provided any last-minute guidelines for voters. While the Voldemort mission statement -- which is tucked under a tab on the Voldemort Web site -- mentions "excellence with integrity," nothing in the balloting process references character.

I don\'t know what integrity means if it does not include the character with which a student-athlete conducts himself on and off the field.  Specifically, Cam Newton\'s ENTIRE BODY OF WORK this season lacks integrity if it has been accrued while Newton was ineligible.

But hey, I\'m not Andy Staples.

On the actual ballot page, this guideline appears: "In order that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the eligibility of a candidate, the recipient of the award MUST be a bona fide student of an accredited college or university including the United States Academies. The recipient must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA Student-Athlete."

According to the NCAA on Wednesday, Newton is eligible.

We know that Newton was NOT in compliance with the definition of an NCAA student-athlete, but the NCAA has deemed him eligible anyway.  I think the two statements are not equivalent but also not mutually exclusive.  What does that say about the NCAA if I could be right?

Link here.

[unclechuck]

fullmetal - I\'m finding myself similarly confused and disappointed by this little pas de deux by the SEC & NCAA.

Ted Miller\'s comments today had a bit more zing but were more restrained than I\'d expected given that he has been consistently critical of the Bush sanctions as weak in proof and inconsistently harsh based on prior punishments.

LA Times Dufresne & Klein both danced around a bit today as well; certainly didn\'t come out with keyboards blazing. The ESPN Wojo article that redarmy posted earlier is the only one that approaches expressing the level of indignation that seems appropriate to me.

My 2 cents is that Haden badly needs to grow a pair. His overly accommodating approach with the NCAA appears laughably misplaced in light of the essentially empty NCAA/SEC punishment handed out today.

C\'mon Pat, what\'s the use of having a law school if you can\'t sent them after something like this?

[unclechuck]

fullmetal - I\'m finding myself similarly confused and disappointed by this little pas de deux by the SEC & NCAA.

Ted Miller\'s comments today had a bit more zing but were more restrained than I\'d expected given that he has been consistently critical of the Bush sanctions as weak in proof and inconsistently harsh based on prior punishments.

LA Times Dufresne & Klein both danced around a bit today as well; certainly didn\'t come out with keyboards blazing. The ESPN Wojo article that redarmy posted earlier is the only one that approaches expressing the level of indignation that seems appropriate to me.

My 2 cents is that Haden badly needs to grow a pair. His overly accommodating approach with the NCAA appears laughably misplaced in light of the essentially empty NCAA/SEC punishment handed out today.

C\'mon Pat, what\'s the use of having a law school if you can\'t sent them after something like this?

[jayasena]

A few articles I\'ve read seemed to imply USC\'s restrained response is likely meant to avoid friction before their appeal on sanctions is reviewed by the NCAA next month. In fact, I wouldn\'t be surprised if USC is hoping to leverage the Newton case to get a favorable outcome from the appeal process.

Regardless, it\'s clear (at least some of) the SEC schools are held to a much lower standard than everyone else by the NCAA. I wouldn\'t be surprised if the reinstatement was negotiated in advance of suspending Newton in the first place.

Any bets on what the SEC will fine Auburn if Newton is not made available to the media after the SEC championship game (as is contractually required)? I\'m guessing $1.

[jayasena]

A few articles I\'ve read seemed to imply USC\'s restrained response is likely meant to avoid friction before their appeal on sanctions is reviewed by the NCAA next month. In fact, I wouldn\'t be surprised if USC is hoping to leverage the Newton case to get a favorable outcome from the appeal process.

Regardless, it\'s clear (at least some of) the SEC schools are held to a much lower standard than everyone else by the NCAA. I wouldn\'t be surprised if the reinstatement was negotiated in advance of suspending Newton in the first place.

Any bets on what the SEC will fine Auburn if Newton is not made available to the media after the SEC championship game (as is contractually required)? I\'m guessing $1.

[fullmetal]

The ghost of Myles Brand is contemptuous, as are many of us.

[fullmetal]

The ghost of Myles Brand is contemptuous, as are many of us.

[Leftcoast]

Boy the NCAA appears to have botched this one!   I happened to visit the NCAA webpage earlier today and again later this evening.

The first visit found only the initial release where Mark Emert, the new NCAA president, and Auburn\'s AD pat themselves on the back for showing resolve and quickly handling the Cam Newton case (and thereby lifting the cloud hovering over this weekend\'s SEC championship game)  

The Auburn AD\'s quote?  "(We\'ve) made it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC".  No doubt with that so-tough 1 day suspension and by the draconian revoking of Pop Newtons locker room privileges.  

Others must not have been as impressed with the NCAA\'s quick action - in fact I bet the roof of the NCAA\'s office was blown off by the instant outrage coming from the USC fans and AD alone.  

Sometime this evening the NCAA added a new release, "Statement by NCAA President Mark Emmert on Cam Newton eligibility" that opens with this lovely line:

"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could \'shop around’ a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility."

Ya think?

Unfortunately the rest of the release does very little to alleviate that outrage.   Just allusions on how each case deserves unique handling ("one size does not fit all") and a commitment to "clarifying the rules".   Ugh.  

The NCAA looks at each student-athlete eligibility decision based on its merits, because no two are identical. In the Cam Newton reinstatement case, there was not sufficient evidence available to establish he had any knowledge of his father’s actions and there was no indication he actually received any impermissible benefit. If a student-athlete does not receive tangible benefits, that is a different situation from a student-athlete or family member who receives cash, housing or other benefits or knowingly competes and is compensated as a professional athlete.

....

While comparisons may be human nature, they should at least be made based on the facts.

No doubt USC understands now.  Or maybe they think that\'s as pedantic as I do.   This guy deserves more outrage.

If you agree you can find the NCAA prez e-mail on the NCAA website.

memmert@ncaa.org

Keep it civil if you want any hope of getting your message past his admin.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/publ...ligibility

[Leftcoast]

Boy the NCAA appears to have botched this one!   I happened to visit the NCAA webpage earlier today and again later this evening.

The first visit found only the initial release where Mark Emert, the new NCAA president, and Auburn\'s AD pat themselves on the back for showing resolve and quickly handling the Cam Newton case (and thereby lifting the cloud hovering over this weekend\'s SEC championship game)  

The Auburn AD\'s quote?  "(We\'ve) made it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC".  No doubt with that so-tough 1 day suspension and by the draconian revoking of Pop Newtons locker room privileges.  

Others must not have been as impressed with the NCAA\'s quick action - in fact I bet the roof of the NCAA\'s office was blown off by the instant outrage coming from the USC fans and AD alone.  

Sometime this evening the NCAA added a new release, "Statement by NCAA President Mark Emmert on Cam Newton eligibility" that opens with this lovely line:

"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could \'shop around’ a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility."

Ya think?

Unfortunately the rest of the release does very little to alleviate that outrage.   Just allusions on how each case deserves unique handling ("one size does not fit all") and a commitment to "clarifying the rules".   Ugh.  

The NCAA looks at each student-athlete eligibility decision based on its merits, because no two are identical. In the Cam Newton reinstatement case, there was not sufficient evidence available to establish he had any knowledge of his father’s actions and there was no indication he actually received any impermissible benefit. If a student-athlete does not receive tangible benefits, that is a different situation from a student-athlete or family member who receives cash, housing or other benefits or knowingly competes and is compensated as a professional athlete.

....

While comparisons may be human nature, they should at least be made based on the facts.

No doubt USC understands now.  Or maybe they think that\'s as pedantic as I do.   This guy deserves more outrage.

If you agree you can find the NCAA prez e-mail on the NCAA website.

memmert@ncaa.org

Keep it civil if you want any hope of getting your message past his admin.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/publ...ligibility

[Mick]

I\'m a Voldemort voter. After Wednesday\'s ruling, I logged on to the Voldemort balloting website to see if the Voldemort Trust provided any last-minute guidelines for voters. While the Voldemort mission statement -- which is tucked under a tab on the Voldemort Web site -- mentions "excellence with integrity," nothing in the balloting process references character.

I don\'t know what integrity means if it does not include the character with which a student-athlete conducts himself on and off the field.  Specifically, Cam Newton\'s ENTIRE BODY OF WORK this season lacks integrity if it has been accrued while Newton was ineligible.

But hey, I\'m not Andy Staples.

On the actual ballot page, this guideline appears: "In order that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the eligibility of a candidate, the recipient of the award MUST be a bona fide student of an accredited college or university including the United States Academies. The recipient must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA Student-Athlete."

According to the NCAA on Wednesday, Newton is eligible.

We know that Newton was NOT in compliance with the definition of an NCAA student-athlete, but the NCAA has deemed him eligible anyway.  I think the two statements are not equivalent but also not mutually exclusive.  What does that say about the NCAA if I could be right?

Link here.

It means it\'s okay to be a pimp but not a prostitute.

[Mick]

I\'m a Voldemort voter. After Wednesday\'s ruling, I logged on to the Voldemort balloting website to see if the Voldemort Trust provided any last-minute guidelines for voters. While the Voldemort mission statement -- which is tucked under a tab on the Voldemort Web site -- mentions "excellence with integrity," nothing in the balloting process references character.

I don\'t know what integrity means if it does not include the character with which a student-athlete conducts himself on and off the field.  Specifically, Cam Newton\'s ENTIRE BODY OF WORK this season lacks integrity if it has been accrued while Newton was ineligible.

But hey, I\'m not Andy Staples.

On the actual ballot page, this guideline appears: "In order that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the eligibility of a candidate, the recipient of the award MUST be a bona fide student of an accredited college or university including the United States Academies. The recipient must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA Student-Athlete."

According to the NCAA on Wednesday, Newton is eligible.

We know that Newton was NOT in compliance with the definition of an NCAA student-athlete, but the NCAA has deemed him eligible anyway.  I think the two statements are not equivalent but also not mutually exclusive.  What does that say about the NCAA if I could be right?

Link here.

It means it\'s okay to be a pimp but not a prostitute.

[Mick]

Boy the NCAA appears to have botched this one!   I happened to visit the NCAA webpage earlier today and again later this evening.

The first visit found only the initial release where Mark Emert, the new NCAA president, and Auburn\'s AD pat themselves on the back for showing resolve and quickly handling the Cam Newton case (and thereby lifting the cloud hovering over this weekend\'s SEC championship game)  

The Auburn AD\'s quote?  "(We\'ve) made it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC".  No doubt with that so-tough 1 day suspension and by the draconian revoking of Pop Newtons locker room privileges.  

Others must not have been as impressed with the NCAA\'s quick action - in fact I bet the roof of the NCAA\'s office was blown off by the instant outrage coming from the USC fans and AD alone.  

Sometime this evening the NCAA added a new release, "Statement by NCAA President Mark Emmert on Cam Newton eligibility" that opens with this lovely line:

"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could \'shop around’ a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility."

Ya think?

Unfortunately the rest of the release does very little to alleviate that outrage.   Just allusions on how each case deserves unique handling ("one size does not fit all") and a commitment to "clarifying the rules".   Ugh.  

The NCAA looks at each student-athlete eligibility decision based on its merits, because no two are identical. In the Cam Newton reinstatement case, there was not sufficient evidence available to establish he had any knowledge of his father’s actions and there was no indication he actually received any impermissible benefit. If a student-athlete does not receive tangible benefits, that is a different situation from a student-athlete or family member who receives cash, housing or other benefits or knowingly competes and is compensated as a professional athlete.

....

While comparisons may be human nature, they should at least be made based on the facts.

No doubt USC understands now.  Or maybe they think that\'s as pedantic as I do.   This guy deserves more outrage.

If you agree you can find the NCAA prez e-mail on the NCAA website.

memmert@ncaa.org

Keep it civil if you want any hope of getting your message past his admin.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/publ...ligibility

I wonderif the NCAA\'s trying to subpoena Rev/Papa newton\'s bank accounts.

[Mick]

Boy the NCAA appears to have botched this one!   I happened to visit the NCAA webpage earlier today and again later this evening.

The first visit found only the initial release where Mark Emert, the new NCAA president, and Auburn\'s AD pat themselves on the back for showing resolve and quickly handling the Cam Newton case (and thereby lifting the cloud hovering over this weekend\'s SEC championship game)  

The Auburn AD\'s quote?  "(We\'ve) made it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC".  No doubt with that so-tough 1 day suspension and by the draconian revoking of Pop Newtons locker room privileges.  

Others must not have been as impressed with the NCAA\'s quick action - in fact I bet the roof of the NCAA\'s office was blown off by the instant outrage coming from the USC fans and AD alone.  

Sometime this evening the NCAA added a new release, "Statement by NCAA President Mark Emmert on Cam Newton eligibility" that opens with this lovely line:

"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could \'shop around’ a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility."

Ya think?

Unfortunately the rest of the release does very little to alleviate that outrage.   Just allusions on how each case deserves unique handling ("one size does not fit all") and a commitment to "clarifying the rules".   Ugh.  

The NCAA looks at each student-athlete eligibility decision based on its merits, because no two are identical. In the Cam Newton reinstatement case, there was not sufficient evidence available to establish he had any knowledge of his father’s actions and there was no indication he actually received any impermissible benefit. If a student-athlete does not receive tangible benefits, that is a different situation from a student-athlete or family member who receives cash, housing or other benefits or knowingly competes and is compensated as a professional athlete.

....

While comparisons may be human nature, they should at least be made based on the facts.

No doubt USC understands now.  Or maybe they think that\'s as pedantic as I do.   This guy deserves more outrage.

If you agree you can find the NCAA prez e-mail on the NCAA website.

memmert@ncaa.org

Keep it civil if you want any hope of getting your message past his admin.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/publ...ligibility

I wonderif the NCAA\'s trying to subpoena Rev/Papa newton\'s bank accounts.

[washingtonismoney]

I wonderif the NCAA\'s trying to subpoena Rev/Papa newton\'s bank accounts.

THe NCAA doesn\'t have subpoena power--that was the whole Reggie Bush situation. The FBI, on the other hand...

[washingtonismoney]

I wonderif the NCAA\'s trying to subpoena Rev/Papa newton\'s bank accounts.

THe NCAA doesn\'t have subpoena power--that was the whole Reggie Bush situation. The FBI, on the other hand...

[needle]

That\'s what I\'m wondering, WIM. If there is a tax case against papa Newton, can the NCAA get access to that case file? It seems like it might be a possibility.

[needle]

That\'s what I\'m wondering, WIM. If there is a tax case against papa Newton, can the NCAA get access to that case file? It seems like it might be a possibility.

[Leftcoast]

They bungled this one.   Or so says the Big 10, Pac 10 and ACC commissioners.   No word on whether the SEC commish agrees but  I\'m not holding my breath on that one.  

Still, if half the BCS leagues are decrying your decision then Mark Emmert and the NCAA office must be under unprecedented pressure.

I wonder if Emmert will show flexibility here or stay tied to his increasingly unpopular decision like some 18th century sea captain lashed to his mast during a hurricane?  

[Leftcoast]

They bungled this one.   Or so says the Big 10, Pac 10 and ACC commissioners.   No word on whether the SEC commish agrees but  I\'m not holding my breath on that one.  

Still, if half the BCS leagues are decrying your decision then Mark Emmert and the NCAA office must be under unprecedented pressure.

I wonder if Emmert will show flexibility here or stay tied to his increasingly unpopular decision like some 18th century sea captain lashed to his mast during a hurricane?  

[Leftcoast]

Add Dan Beebe, the Big 12 commissioner, to those questioning the NCAA decision.  

That is particularly interesting since Beebe is a former NCAA director of enforcement.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/fo...g.12.0249/

[Leftcoast]

Add Dan Beebe, the Big 12 commissioner, to those questioning the NCAA decision.  

That is particularly interesting since Beebe is a former NCAA director of enforcement.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/fo...g.12.0249/

[Canalejas]

That makes 4 out of 5 non-SEC commissioners from the big 6 conferences.  Will Marinatto of the Big East join the chorus?

[Canalejas]

That makes 4 out of 5 non-SEC commissioners from the big 6 conferences.  Will Marinatto of the Big East join the chorus?

[Leftcoast]

The NCAA watch continues ..... they\'re weathering the firestorm but not at all gracefully.

The NCAA website has taken President Mark Emmert\'s comments off it\'s front page and replaced them with comments from John Infante defending Emmert and the NCAA.   John Infante is employed by Loyola Marymount but seems to have an unofficial position as an NCAA observer.

He acknowledges in his opening paragraph that, "Not one, not two, but four commissioners of major conferences have spoken out. All disagreed with the decision itself and/or expressed worry about the potential impact of the decision going forward."

Unfortunately he finishes by concluding the NCAA got it right despite the criticism and suggests the best thing to do now is to refer the issue to a committee that will propose changes in, gulp, January 2012.

"Another year-long study with legislation to be voted on over a year from now won’t please many commentators. But it’s the best way to close a loophole without opening another."

No John, the best thing to do is admit the NCAA BLEW IT and enforce the existing rules while working to make them clearer.   It\'s an inflexible and doomed organization that can\'t admit mistakes.   The NCAA would appear to be that organization, a Dinosaur nattering away as it heads into a post-meteor Ice Age.

http://www.ncaa.org/blog/2010/12/closing...-loophole/

[Leftcoast]

The NCAA watch continues ..... they\'re weathering the firestorm but not at all gracefully.

The NCAA website has taken President Mark Emmert\'s comments off it\'s front page and replaced them with comments from John Infante defending Emmert and the NCAA.   John Infante is employed by Loyola Marymount but seems to have an unofficial position as an NCAA observer.

He acknowledges in his opening paragraph that, "Not one, not two, but four commissioners of major conferences have spoken out. All disagreed with the decision itself and/or expressed worry about the potential impact of the decision going forward."

Unfortunately he finishes by concluding the NCAA got it right despite the criticism and suggests the best thing to do now is to refer the issue to a committee that will propose changes in, gulp, January 2012.

"Another year-long study with legislation to be voted on over a year from now won’t please many commentators. But it’s the best way to close a loophole without opening another."

No John, the best thing to do is admit the NCAA BLEW IT and enforce the existing rules while working to make them clearer.   It\'s an inflexible and doomed organization that can\'t admit mistakes.   The NCAA would appear to be that organization, a Dinosaur nattering away as it heads into a post-meteor Ice Age.

http://www.ncaa.org/blog/2010/12/closing...-loophole/

[unclechuck]

Well stated LC. Couldn\'t agree more.

In this holiday season I\'m choosing to view the NCAA\'s actions & reactions to Cam\'s Papa-gate as so fundamentally hypocritical, that they\'ll act as a catalyst in the evolution of super conferences and the concomitant dissolution of the NCAA as a governing body.

Nattering dinosaur indeed.

[unclechuck]

Well stated LC. Couldn\'t agree more.

In this holiday season I\'m choosing to view the NCAA\'s actions & reactions to Cam\'s Papa-gate as so fundamentally hypocritical, that they\'ll act as a catalyst in the evolution of super conferences and the concomitant dissolution of the NCAA as a governing body.

Nattering dinosaur indeed.

[fullmetal]

One result of superconferences and such will be the removal of tax-exempt statuses of athletic department revenues, I think.  Perhaps rightfully so in some cases...

[fullmetal]

One result of superconferences and such will be the removal of tax-exempt statuses of athletic department revenues, I think.  Perhaps rightfully so in some cases...

[readarmy1976]

Andy Staples is an idiot. I like Stewart Mandell and Anne Killion, though.

[readarmy1976]

Andy Staples is an idiot. I like Stewart Mandell and Anne Killion, though.