Started writing about today’s NCAA bombshell regarding the case against Miami and while pecking away, more news has come to light as NCAA president Mark Emmert has held two teleconferences to discuss the improper conduct of his organization.
Going to let the story continue to unfold before writing an editorial on the subject, but until then, check out what some national writers are saying.
The court of public opinion has definitely swayed in Miami’s favor, leaving the NCAA with egg on its face, having played the part of bully, while giving new meaning to the phrase, “lack of institutional control”.
UM president Donna Shalala released an official statement Wednesday afternoon:
“Since the University first alerted the NCAA to the possibility of violations more than two years ago, we have been cooperative and compliant with the NCAA and, I believe, a model for how institutions should partner with NCAA staff during investigations. In addition to encouraging current and former staff members and student-athletes to cooperate with investigators, we have provided thousands of documents to the enforcement staff.
I am frustrated, disappointed and concerned by President Emmert’s announcement today that the integrity of the investigation may have been compromised by the NCAA staff.
As we have done since the beginning, we will continue to work with the NCAA and now with their outside investigator hoping for a swift resolution of the investigation and our case.
I want to thank our community for their continued support and patience.
Stand with The U.”
Below is a collection of write-ups that are currently flooding the Internet regarding the scandal:
“Hey NCAA, Why Don’t You Just Give It Up And Let Miami Go” – by Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
“NCAA Blunder Provides Home-Free Ticket For Miami Hurricanes” – by Matt Hayes, Sporting News
“NCAA Falls Flat On Its Face, Announces Improper Conduct In Miami Investigation” – by Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports
“NCAA Investigating Enforcement After Misconduct In Miami Case” – by Chip Patterson, CBSSports.com
“Curious Timing To NCAA Announcement On Miami Probe” by Bruce Feldman, CBSSports.com
“NCAA Finds Issue With Investigation” – ESPN.com
“NCAA Admits Own Scandal From UM Investigation – Now What?” – by Dave Hyde, Sun-Sentinel
“Can The NCAA Give Itself The Death-Penalty” – by Dave Hyde, Sun-Sentinel
More coming from allCanesBlog.com after the dust settles and more comes to light. Stay tuned and for today, focus on Miami basketball as it preps to take on No. 1 Duke at The BUC this evening.
I would really like to know what this all means. I guess in the next few weeks, we may know more. The NCAA has failed us and itself in the matter of institutional control over most schools. Lets look, Ohio State, USC, N. Carolina, Penn State scandal. The track record of the NCAA is not looking good. I think it needs to “reorganize” and move forward. If I recall, the bowl system (Death to the BCS) needs to be put to death, and figure something else out ie: 16 game playoff system.
Don’t jump on me for my opinion, but if investigations were to proceed on most Universities, and someone was to dig deep enough, we could probably find violations at many of those schools. Not just Miami, UNC to name a few.
Miami has set a good example on how the NCAA and Universities need to work together and correct the problem. There are a lot of bad people out there that need to be carefully watched.
We should not underestimate this turn of events. The NCAA is a voluntary organization, it is not a law enforcement agency or an arm of the government empowered with prosecutorial powers. It derives its power from a willingness of its member organizations (and society at large) to accept its legitimacy and its “right” to enforce its rules of member behavior.
By undermining the legitimacy of its own investigation (and its organizational purpose), the NCAA is left with the stark choice: does it move forward an punish an institution based on an investigation which the NCAA itself admits was improper, or does it impose little to no sanction on the institution and immediately turn itself to correcting its own processes and procedures. (In legal terms, does it declare a “mistrial” or throw the case out entirely.)
The NCAA is facing an existential question here, and it needs to consider the larger picture. Coming down on Miami hard, now, will so undermine its organizational legitimacy that it may be setting the stage for its own dissolution. Society acknowledges legitimacy when it believes that organizations and entities (like government) operate with a sense of fairness and does not act capriciously or arbitrarily.
The burden is now on the NCAA, not Miami. This is indeed a good life lesson.
Go Canes!
Jake in Yokosuka, Japan.
Jake – Where the NCAA has really screwed itself, the fact that anything they state they’ve dug up on Miami – how can they prove, without a doubt, that it wasn’t obtained illegally or unethically? They’ve tainted their entire investigation so anything they try to impose on UM, it’s tainted.
Based on the three self-imposed bowl bans / post-season games, as well as UM suspending players and living under this dark cloud for the past two years … honestly, a mistrial is the only thing the NCAA can do to save face.
You’re right, time to look within as an organization and to clean up their own mess. The NCAA doesn’t have a leg to stand on these days. Way too much scandal and controversy surrounding their org. This is a time to clean up their own shit, instead of worrying about everyone else’s. Call a mistrial and call it ‘time served’ for The U. Move on.
I agree, Chris. The only thing the NCAA can do at this point is to state that the self imposed sanctions already taken are sufficient, and close the case. Between putting Shapiro’s lawyer on the payroll and the letter from an assistant in the NCAA Enforcement stating we were guilty until proven innocent coming to light, these show just how out of control and ridiculous the NCAA has become. I know I am a Cane, but come on. The NCAA’s time to reign has passed. It has no more place in college sports due to ineptitude and mismanagement. Are we really to believe that it will only take 2 WEEKS for them to have an investigation completed on internal members from a case lasting 2 years? The only answer is to close the case and save some kind of face. Miami has a right to not be held under the NCAA thumb anymore.
Yesterday was a glorious day for Miami. The new of an improper investigation along with the BEATDOWN of the #1 Ranked Blue Devils.
The admission of the improper investigation further proves Ed Reed’s point when he addressed the team in 2011, “nobody likes you, Im telling you….they dont like me, Cuz im form Da U”. An investigation should be unbiased and by the book. One should not let a personal agenda fuel themselves to obtain information improperly. From the beginning of this ordeal, there has been multiple instances where the “personal agenda” has shown itself. Most noteworthy was when the NCAA granted immunity to Andre DuBose (UF WR) and the QB from UCF for their admission of recieving improper benefits. Also the “assumption of Guilt” demands to the former players if they didn’t cooperate and get interviewed by the NCAA.
The lesson here is to always take the high road such as the UM officials did in this matter. UM will come out of this situation Proudly Shining it Lights Brightly and parents of highly recruited players will/should take notice in the years to come. “THE PROCESS”.
Oh and to all the coaches/players/athletic department officials AND MARK MAY HATING ASS that bailed on the program when it needed you the most, ITS STILL ALL ABOUT DA U!!!!
As much as I would love to see the “mistrial” route be the NCAA’s choice, I don’t see it happening. I think it would bring backlash from all the other programs under sanctions presently, wanting proof that their investigations weren’t similarly tainted.
That being said, the absolute irony of the NCAA trying to punish Miami for not having control over those people at the bottom of their organization while the NCAA’s equivalent personnel are going beyond unethical behavior and right to potentially criminal! How do they have the right to judge anyone after this? For them to punish Miami right now is clearly the pot calling the kettle black. I think it is time that these investigations were turned over to an outside agency with no vested interest. Selection of said agency could be done in a manner similar to a jury selection, with both the NCAA and the university being investigated getting a say to make sure it is fair and on the up and up.
Hopefully there is a quick and fair ending to this nightmare for the U family.
As always, GO CANES!!!!
p.s.: Happily wearing my National Communist Athletic Association t-shirt today, courtesy of allCanes.
Welcome to Da U….James Coley. hopefully Alex Collins, Stacey Coley, Matthew Thomas and Denver Kirkland will fall in line and bring UM back to the their righteous place of winning NC’s.