Punishment severe, but Georgia Tech made its own mess
Georgia Tech's athletic director Dan Radakovich (right) and president G.P."Bud" Peterson were upset with NCAA's findings and language, but admitted errors. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
There are a number of disturbing words that can be found in an NCAA news release. Booster. Agent. Academic fraud. The dreaded string: Lack of institutional control.
But this one ranks as one of the most troublesome: Manipulate.
If you believe the NCAA, Georgia Tech officials not only failed to cooperate with an investigation into possible impermissible benefits, they impeded, obstructed and tossed up road blocks.
The public infractions report reads like it was crafted by a performance-enhanced novelist. Claims that Tech attempted to “manipulate the information surrounding potential violations.” Claims that the school “hindered efforts to get to the truth.” Claims that former general counsel Randy Nordin, “adopted an obstructionist approach” to the investigation and referred to an NCAA staff member as “demonstratively untruthful.”
Maybe some of that is blather. But too much of it is truth.
Tech and its athletic department were slapped Thursday. They deserved to be.
While a case certainly can be made that the punishment is excessive – the Yellow Jackets effectively were stripped of their only ACC football championship in 2009 because one player received $312 worth of merchandise more than 20 months ago – a better case can be made that they had it coming.
Sorry. But a school whose title includes the words “Institute of Technology” should know how to read a manual.
Jackets coach Paul Johnson lost his ACC title. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
In 2005, Tech went on two years’ probation because it used 17 athletes in four sports (11 in football) that it should have ruled academically ineligible. It lost scholarships and was forced to vacate rules. Now it has been hit with four years’ probation in football and basketball, fined $100,000 and must vacate records from the last three games of the 2009 football season (including the ACC title-game win over Clemson) because it acted stupidly when confronted with charges of using an ineligible player (Demaryius Thomas) and having a former basketball grad assistant involved with an on-campus AAU tournament.
Tech president G.P. “Bud” Peterson and athletic director Dan Radakovich both largely disputed the findings of the NCAA. (Tech had an official 53-page response to a 26-page infractions report.) But they were remorseful and Radakovich even apologized to the football team for the lost ACC title.
Paul Parker, the Jackets’ compliance officer at the time of the infractions, left the school in April to take a job at (ironically) Auburn. Radakovich did not publicly place any blame on Parker. But neither he nor Peterson were as kind to the school’s former counsel, Nordin, who has since retired.
“Perhaps we should’ve done some things differently,” Peterson said. “He didn’t have a great deal of experience in issues like this, and I believe if we had to do this all over again we would’ve hired an outside consultant to advise us and serve as legal counsel.”
He also cited the NCAA report saying that Nordin failed to inform the players of the consequences for lying. “Someone who had the experience working with the NCAA would know that’s their expectation,” Peterson said.
Actually, that seems more like common sense.
So is this: When the NCAA told Peterson and Radakovich not to inform anybody in the football program that an investigation was coming, that wasn’t merely a suggestion. But Radakovich told coach Paul Johnson. It trickled down from there. Radakovich said he never intended to influence the investigation, but he admitted it was a mistake.
Tech’s hearing took place at the worst possible time: the off week before the Georgia game, two weeks before the ACC championship. Thomas, a wide receiver, and safety Morgan Burnett both were the focus of the investigation into the football team. The Jackets rolled the dice. That was a mistake. (Georgia, in a similar situation last year, held out A.J. Green in the season opener before the NCAA suspended him four games for “Jerseygate.”)
Peterson was led to believe the players were innocent. He now says the school should have at least declared Thomas ineligible and then appeal for his immediate reinstatement. (Thomas denied the clothes were given to him by former Tech player Calvin Booker, whom the NCAA considers a runner for an agent. There were no findings with Burnett, but the NCAA blames Tech for letting the players know that investigators were going to ask them questions.)
It all may seem way too convoluted and the punishment too severe for what the NCAA admits ultimately could be a secondary infraction. But the mess is Tech’s doing.
“We could’ve done better,” Peterson said.
A tough lesson to learn.
By Jeff Schultz
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431 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
July 14th, 2011
11:47 pm
Just so you know, folks. I’ve banned five commenters tonight and deleted several comments. Please be responsible. Thanks.
fosterjoiner
July 14th, 2011
11:49 pm
Tech finally pays for their rule breakage. I have Tech friends who say we do not break any rules and they are mad. Who is going to pay the 100000 dollar fine since they are already in big time debt. Warning to Ohio State, Tennessee and Auburn to cooperate with the NCAA. Tech did not and you saw what happened. The only problem with the forfeits is they only lost one game in the final three games. GO DOGS!!!!!
fosterjoiner
July 14th, 2011
11:53 pm
Paul Johnson said on tv this the first problem he has had in coaching but he was behind a scandal at the Naval Academy that cost the head of the school his job. He forgot that problem.
Get this fact straight
July 14th, 2011
11:53 pm
So, lets try this again schultze.
So, UGA-homer Tim Tucker of the UGA-biased AJC found out about a
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL NCAA investigation supposedly known ONLY
to 1-2 key officials in the UGA Athletic office.
And Tucker, all by himself and ahead of EVERY OTHER media outlet in college sports
uncovered that upcoming CONFIDENTIAL visit ??
ONLY 1-2 people within the UGA Athletic office were notified by the NCAA that they were coming.
So, if only 1-2 people in the UGA Athletic office knew, then who from the UGA office
informed Tim Tucker? Someone OBVIOUSLY told Tucker.
How is it that NCAA did not go ballistic over PUBLIC disclosure
of an UNDISCLOSED AND HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL investigation meeting in Athens ??
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Grammar Queens..
July 14th, 2011
11:55 pm
Amazing how many Tech fans are showing how little class they have. Just filing this all away.
Paul in RDU
July 14th, 2011
11:58 pm
Wrex – Still waiting for your comments on UNC-CH
fosterjoiner
July 14th, 2011
11:58 pm
Remember if Tech commits any more violations in football or basketball in the next three years Tech could get the “death penalty”. Tech paying off a huge debt as is what do you think would happen if Tech would lose those sports profits? Major disaster in their two of the top three sports.
Grammar Queens..
July 14th, 2011
11:59 pm
Tech can call and ask Paul Hewitt for a loan in paying off the 100k….
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
12:02 am
He is getting a pretty good check at George Mason and they have a better chance to go to the NCAA tournament than Tech does this season.
Schultz the liar
July 15th, 2011
12:02 am
Schuktz:
Liar Liar pants on fire.
It was spread all over GT blogs last week how Mark Fox had traveled out if state
to visit a recruit at some basketball camp.
Not one word from the AJC that Brian Gregory was also at that same camp
talking to the same recruit.
It was only after the GT blogs lit up about the blatant omission that the
AJC website was “suddenly” changed to reflect the Gregory visit.
GT fans know the AJC is UGA-biased. Dont pretend its not.
wreckmaniac
July 15th, 2011
12:02 am
If Tech is going down for this, I expect that by Monday at least 20 other Div 1 teams will be found guilty. If so then all’s fair.
dirty dawg
July 15th, 2011
12:03 am
if i understand this correctly,it isnt the deed of the clothing as much as trying to hide it. my dawgs have taken a few small lumps but they along with tolley(lawyer) have tried to do right. i think thats his name anyway. tech did as alabama had done in the past……….what us? it is best to try and resolve it and come clean. i dont know. if this happened to uga it would be humiliating also. take it and move on.
wreckmaniac
July 15th, 2011
12:03 am
If this can erase the basketball team record over the past 3 seasons, it may be worth it.
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
12:09 am
I a going to see where this ends up in the AJC in the morning, If this was UGA it would be on the front page. Every time Tech did something wrong it was toward the back of the sports page. Why if the rumors came out a couple of weeks ago why is this the first time we are hearing about Tech’s problem It seems to happen to Georgia the moment it happens and the AJC does not report the jackets problem until the curtain falls on them.
Jeff Schultz
July 15th, 2011
12:13 am
Get this fact straight — I can’t speak to why the NCAA didn’t “go ballistic” when Tim reported the Green story, or if they didn’t go ballistic. I can only tell you he found out about it.
wreckmaniac
July 15th, 2011
12:15 am
Where’s ESPN and all the other sports media ? All we have heard over the past year has been about Auburn, Ohio State, UNC, etc transgressions but no action has been taken. And today the bomb is dropped on GT ? Can the media not tell us whats going on ? Its like planning to be attacked by Canada but you find out you’ve been attacked by Mexico. Does this mean that Auburn, Ohio State, and UNC are as pure as the driven show ? I guess it does. Next, we’ll find out that Harvard cheated.
Jeff Schultz
July 15th, 2011
12:16 am
Schultz the liar — No idea what you’re talking about. But if there was a story that reported Fox’s attendance but not Gregory’s at the same camp, that’s an absolute omission. Doesn’t mean there was intent. But if you want to believe in agendas, conspiracy theories and Sasquatch, have at it. Doesn’t ruin my day.
Zac
July 15th, 2011
12:18 am
So let me get the straight, Thomas illegally received $312 worth of clothing from his cousin. WTF you can’t receive stuff from your family if your an NCAA athlete. And what the hell is this about not cooperating with their investigation. Some how all this warrants a $100,000, losing our ACC Championship, and 4 years of probation.
While AJ Greene sold his jersey for $1,000 and all he got was a four game suspension. By the NCAA’s math UGA should have had a $300,000 fine and 10 years of probation.
Looks like the NCAA has an ego bigger than Barry Bonds head because we didn’t welcome them with open arms. What a bunch of dumb farkers
Jeff Schultz
July 15th, 2011
12:18 am
Fosterjoiner — Where were these “rumors”? I’ve been on vacation so I’m not aware of anybody writing, Tweeting, message-boarding anything. If that’s true, I’m surprised it didn’t spread and eventually get out. These days, a Tweet starts a wild fire. But again, there’s no intent to cover anything up. Seriously, that whole contention is just stupid. We’re in the news business. Why would we hold news?
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
12:21 am
Sorry Jeff but my friends and I have seen it in the AJC always seems to report Georgia problems faster than Tech problems and where it is in the AJC is not your decision. I have friends who can tell you a few times how bad news like this hits Georgia gets front page news while Tech if it gets reported gets page 4 or 5 if it is not on the back page where people does not see it. I respect you and I am a long time Ajc subscriber and i know what I say is fact.
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
12:27 am
I made a mistake. Auburn football coach chews out the NCAA investigaters a few weeks ago because they want answers now. The NCAA told him the investigation is still going on. The news is in the New York Times and not the Birmingham or any other newspapers in the state of Alabama. The article hit the paper today. Why was it not reported in Alabama? we do not know. Thanks for the blog. I am always wondering what other people say about this subject.
GTFan
July 15th, 2011
12:35 am
This is a disappointing result. The NCAA rules are written in English and apparently are not Rocket Science. The Athletic Director at Tech as a requirement of his continued employment should be able to understand these rules, understand direct instructions from the NCAA and the limitations of disclosure. There are thousands of dedicated alumni who are interested in the reputation and tradition of the institution as much as whether or not we are “ranked” in some sport or have a highly regarded recruiting class. I hope that Dr. Peterson creates a system for “institutional control” that has no organizational responsibility to the Athletic Department and reports directly to him. Additionally, it is clear that the Athletic staff needs a review course in NCAA regulations and perhaps new blood in administrative positions.
As a graduate and supporter for nearly 65 years, I am disappointed in the lack of institutional control and the lack of regard for the reputation of the institution by those in positions of responsibility who should know better.
Regarding the fine, $100,000 seems excessive for $312 worth of whatever. If that stands, then our friends at UT and Ohio State had best get out their checkbooks.
Gator fan
July 15th, 2011
12:39 am
I just can’t believe that GT got caught cheating. I was led to believe they were lily white pure in all their activities. I guess I was told an untruth. I am beginning to doubt Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the tooth fairy too. It’s messing up my life.
UGA in Milton
July 15th, 2011
12:45 am
GA Tech should have learned from AU…Remember, AU declared Newton inelgible, the next day the NCAA reinstated Newton and they then kick my dawgs ass and win a NC…Stupid Tech….
aCCvictim
July 15th, 2011
12:46 am
Welcome to our world. UNC has been skulldragged over the ncaa hot coals for over a YEAR. Don’t pizz and whine to me about the excessive punishments. It’s amazing to me you insects were allowed to play out the seasons you did.
If we played the guys who were accused but later found innocent last season, we’d have kicked your ass and probably have been playing in the ncg instead of aubarn…Scam should have been in jail by then.
Buck Strickland
July 15th, 2011
12:47 am
Bottom line, the NCAA is a joke. College athletes are indentured slaves that put their limbs and health on the line so that colleges can make money and businesses can sell more Bud Light. Whether it’s $300 to Be Be or Tony Cole, it’s the same thing. Players look bad for being capitalists. NCAA keeps them down. Tired of it. We need a new system that gives these guys a piece of the pie. These people are not criminals. They just want to get PAID! Just like Tech, UGA, LSU, AU, AL, UF, UT, OK, USC, MS, MSU, VT, FSU,… ok you get the point. They just want to get paid just like the NCAA… System failure. Go Dawgs.
UGA in Milton
July 15th, 2011
12:48 am
Will D Rad lose his job? I predict Vandy from the SEC and Duke from the ACC as the only schools not on probation by 2014:)
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
12:49 am
Auburn will get their punishment along with Ohio State and Tennessee in the next few months. Gene chizek’s behavior a few weeks ago could cost him some money on top of it. You do not demand anything out of the NCAA until the investigation is over. He knows Auburn is going to pay for their mistake and his attitude problem will cost him some big money.
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
1:02 am
The AJC better not put this on the back page. It should be on the front page where it belongs just like everytime Georgia gets bad news like this is put.
UGA in Milton
July 15th, 2011
1:03 am
fosterjoiner, i really don’t think AU will get Ohio St. treatment…10 months of investigating and no LOI..they cannot find any money trail…no money trail no LOI i’m afraid…
NVRambo
July 15th, 2011
1:05 am
Where was the AJC when this story began, developed and finally was concluded?
I fell out of my chair when I heard this story today, primarily because there wasn’t any sniff, hint or mention of Ga Tech having any NCAA issues.
What’re you guys at the ACJ doing…….a really long lunch?
Robert Wilkerson
July 15th, 2011
1:06 am
All this for $312.00 dollars and a dumb Lawyer. Hell, Ga. has had over 20 players arrested in 2 years and the NCAA is not worried about that? The Jim Harrick academic scandal and they got a slap on the wrist. Lets not even bring up Herschel Walker admitting he couldn’t read when he graduated but he still got a diploma. And can we mention Jan Kemp scandal. Lot hens in the dog house to pass judgement on $312 dollars.
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
1:09 am
Auburn investigation is not over and when the FBI finishes and the NCAA gets through it is SMU over again.
UGA in Milton
July 15th, 2011
1:10 am
Robert, I don’t think it is the 312.00 dollars, which I agree, every school is doing crap like that, the problem is, Ga Tech didn’t go through the appropriate measures when the NCAA notified them etc..LIke GA suspending AJ or like AU making Newton inelgible. I am really surprised at DRad, he looks really bad in all of this, or maybe it was the GA tech compliance dept…
UGA in Milton
July 15th, 2011
1:11 am
Foster, FBI? you sound like my Bama neighbors:)
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
1:18 am
Cam Newton knew what is coming is the reason he turned pro. Auburn would not have won the national championship without him. It is a known fact the FBI is investigating the pay for play scandal with Cam’s dad. It is my opinion his dad confessed to the crime and he was probably going to be decared ineligible sometime in the future. Chizek is scared to death after the incident with the NCAA investigators. He knows something and he might not want to tell because his job might be on the line if it does. What is he hiding?
Buck Strickland
July 15th, 2011
1:27 am
The Harrick “scandal” was blown way out of proportion. Granting “A’s” for a basketball course is nothing. Are you telling me these guys didn’t know basketball? I took a golf class one time where one of the questions was “how many shots does it take to make par on a par 4?” OK, the girl sitting next to me had never played before so these questions do exist. Harrick was a seedy guy but probably the best x and o bball coach I’ve ever seen! That “scandal” pales in comparison to buying players like USC or what Auburn is aledged to have done. Still, NCAA rules are bogus. Tech should keep their wins. I love college athletics, hate the NCAA. Go Dawgs.
fosterjoiner
July 15th, 2011
1:48 am
Remember Tech only forfeits one win because They lost to Georgia and to Iowa in the Orange Bowl so they forfeited the ACC championship. They could have forfeited them all. Think about it.
Thomas Brown
July 15th, 2011
1:56 am
Academic Fraud.
What I would like to know, in view of the open records law of this state, is how Georgia institute of technology was able to keep the AJ-C from following this story, until as the Georgia tek recruits today said, that they were
SURPRISED
by it all ?
How does this happen that
NOT 1 WORD is said ever in the AJ-C about this until it is announced that the Georgia institute of technology is hit with
MAJOR INFRACTIONS
PROBATION
How is this possible AJ-C ?
Did you cover this up AJ-C ?
Well, did you ?
You would have given The University of Georgia Front Page Headlines on this 3 years ago and every day since, following the story.
Georgia tek, on the other hand, you coddle throughout this entire sordid mess.
Overprotecting Georgia tek is what the AJ-C has done here on this NCAA PROBATION, the 3rd in the history of the Georgia institute of technology, and back-to-back in football – no sooner is the last NCAA PROBATION in FOOTBALL over for Georgia tek than once again another NCAA PROBATION in FOOTBALL for Georgia tek.
LACK OF INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL
AJ-C pampers Georgia tek in every possible fashion, and always has. If you live in the city of 6 million, you hear it daily that obviously you should be a fan of Georgia tek FOOTBALL.
Really ?
Why ?
They aren’t any good.
COVER-UP by AJ-C on this entire disgusting cover-up.
This is what OPEN RECORDS LAW is all about AJ-C.
Just so that I have the story straight from the mouths of AJ-C, we all read finally today only and never not 1 word prior about any of this NCAA PROBATION,
Thomas Brown
July 15th, 2011
1:58 am
Athletic director Dan Radakovich and president G.P.”Bud” Peterson
were BOTH told by the NCAA not to say 1 word to anyone that the Georgia institute of technology was under NCAA investigation for MAJOR INFRACTIONS of the NCAA including
PAYMENTS
ILLEGAL BENEFITS to football player at Georgia tek
DON’T SAY A WORD ABOUT IT, NCAA TOLD athletic director Dan Radakovich and president G.P.”Bud” Peterson.
Dan Radakovich then told Paul Johnson. And, the AJ-C goes on and the trickle-down from there.
AJ-C ?
Where in the blazes was there ever any mention of this ever in the newspaper I have thrown down in the street in front of my home ?
Answer. There never was.
If this were UGA, AJ-C you would have followed the whole entire story, citing OPEN RECORDS LAW of this state.
CALVIN BOOKER
Calvin Booker was Quarterback at Georgia tek 2007 and 2008 throwing 35 passes and completing only 15 for 2 interception and 2 touchdown passes, only.
Calvin Booker also rushed 33 times for 27 yards, total in his career at Georgia tek. Less than a yard per carry and 0 touchdowns rushing.
Calvin Booker attended
MAYS HIGH SCHOOL in Atlanta
Calvin Booker signed with Auburn and played at Auburn for his 1st two seasons, then TRANSFERRED to Georgia tek.
Calvin Booker thought that Auburn wasn’t giving him enough of a chance there.
It was quite the scandal at the time, when he transferred to Georgia tek May 8, 2006, as a sophomore.
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Thomas, who had 22 catches with Denver Broncos last season for 283 yards and 2 touchdown catches, also rushed twice for 1 yard total with no touchdowns last season. Demaryius Thomas had 2 lost fumbles.
DEMARYIUS THOMAS of
MONTROSE, GEORGIA
was the only receiver on Georgia tek’s “team.”
All the other WR quit the “team” and now stripped of ACC Championship, leaving tek with none ever.
Thomas Brown
July 15th, 2011
1:59 am
So, Demaryius Thomas figures Calvin Booker can just buy him clothes and whatever he wants to have purchased for him by Calvin Booker, former QB at Georgia tek.
Nice.
LIES.
Then, as only Georgia tek is best known for before the Ohio State scandal,
EVERYONE INVOLVED LIED TO THE NCAA.
Oh, no I didn’t get any ILLEGAL BENEFITS from Calvin Booker.
Now, he smears the good name of the Denver Broncos in this filthy twisted set of lies to cover it all up, going all the way up to
Dan Radakovich and president G.P.”Bud” Peterson.
Oh, we were stupid Bud Peterson says. We should have hired an outside counsel to tell us not to lie to the NCAA.
Not to
COVER-UP.
Cover-up is all the AJ-C does regarding the Georgia institute of technology.
Tell me again, AJ-C how none of this was shown the light of day until it surprises your # 1 QB recruit for 2012 today, him and none of us ever having heard one bloody word of any this ?
Dan Radakovich tells Paul Johnson and it trickles down from there, and you would have me to believe that the AJ-C did not cover-up this entire nauseating revolting cover-up by the AJ-C.
Don’t insult my intelligence AJ-C with a reply to me.
It is too obvious.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
July 15th, 2011
2:02 am
Throw the bums out …………….I still like coach Johnson though
Craig Spinks
July 15th, 2011
2:10 am
THANK GOD that Bobby Dpdd is not around to read and hear about sordid activities not unique to GT.
Greg
July 15th, 2011
2:22 am
Red Panties
wes durham's gigantic bottom
July 15th, 2011
2:33 am
Do not worry…….Radakovich and Johnson will be fired before the football season starts…..Brian Bohanon will be interim head coach and exciting football will be played on the Flats this fall….pitches to A-Backs….dive plays to B-Backs……wooo hooo…..D-Rad, do you still think Johnson is going to get the City of Atlanta to embrace GT as its hometown college team??? Perhaps GT will convince Bill Curry, a man of integrity, to leave Georgia State to come back and clean up the disgraced GT Football program…..this is what happens when you hire a jerk for a head coach…….no class…..PE Major from Western Carolina….remember, no more violations while on probation…..you could get the death penalty!!!!!
wow
July 15th, 2011
3:11 am
I want to see what Ohio State gets then $312 worth of clothing get the f outta here. These student athlete need to get some compensation the university made millions off these guys a scholarship doesn’t adds up to it . The ncaa is so stupid
wes durham's gigantic bottom
July 15th, 2011
3:12 am
DRad will be forced to resign…..he knowingly and intentionally ignored instructions not to discuss the substance of the investigation with CPJ…..start the search for a new AD now…….it will happen.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 15th, 2011
3:30 am
I don’t think the punishment would have been so severe if not for the fact, the violations come so close to the previous punishment. Whether there was an actual attempt to hide the facts or try to hinder the investigastion is almost secondary probably. People criticize the NCAA for not doing enough and then when it happens to them, it is suddenly too harsh. In light of the many suspicious and illegal things that have taken place with some football programs in the last few year, maybe it is time, to put the foot down a little harder. Look how the OSU fiasco turned out. I will bet you, Techs. punishment will pale in comparsion to what the NCAA gives them.
Friday Morning Workout « THIRDandFOUR
July 15th, 2011
3:49 am
[...] The NCAA nabs its next victim: Georgia Tech over a mere $312. Read more. [...]
RedandBlackDAWG
July 15th, 2011
3:52 am
Time to move on and take your punishment like grown men. You got caught, now just make sure it doesn’t happen again and move on. I would bet, techs. indescretions are going to pale, when compared to what THE OSU has coming. Tennessee isn’t going to be too happy either.
Maybe, if enough warnings and penalties are given out, situations like this and the others now in trouble, will be cut down some. Blaming everybody else, for the problems your coach and administration caused doesn’t help resolve it. Trying to point at another school, doesn’t help either. Man up and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
As for the AJC not reporting it earlier. Why didn’t tech. first report it when they were notified about the investigation? Are only news publications suppose to be aware of these things?