An embarrassing day for Tech, which hates embarrassment
"See this? Not any longer." (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
It’s an embarrassing day for Georgia Tech, and Tech alums don’t like being embarrassed.
The Jackets have been forced to vacate the 2009 ACC title, have been placed on NCAA probation through 2015 and have been fined $100,000 — what is this, the NFL? — to boot. We can extrapolate from this that the NCAA likewise doesn’t take kindly to embarrassment.
The NCAA has found that “staff members” not only failed to contribute to an investigation but also sought to cast enough doubt on the allegations that they couldn’t be proved. In plain English, the NCAA believed Tech tried to cover up. And the NCAA hates cover-ups way worse than it hates violations.
Update: In offering Tech’s response to the NCAA’s findings, both president Bud Peterson and AD Dan Radakovich insisted there was no intent to influence anyone’s testimony to the NCAA. Indeed, Radakovich admitted it was he who had spoken to coach Paul Johnson about the NCAA’s interest in a particular student-athlete.
I’ll have more at greater length soon, but for now I leave you with this: Until today, Georgia Tech fans had great confidence their athletic department was under sound management. I’m not sure they still do. The school that prides itself on knowing how to run things managed to take a molehill of a violation and turn it into a mountain range’s worth of sanctions. Yikes.
By Mark Bradley
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474 comments Add your comment
Just saying
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
Buckeye- You called an ACC blog “SECville”. Just pointing out your regional confusion.
southernboy
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
Banker dog put it well…I’ve read the report too. pretty ridiculous i think, and I’m not a tech fan
“It seems Tech conducted an internal investigation and found there was not sufficient evidence to declare the players ineligible. Apparently, the NCAA disagreed in this instance. As far as the actual interviews are concerned, there seems to be a lot of conjecture and supposition, but not a lot of direct evidence or verifiable fact.
It seems clear that DRad made a mistake in the NCAAs eyes when he advised CPJ about the pending interview, but I’m not certain the NCAA has any legal authority to put a “gag” order on people. Meaning, I would assume he was within his right to inform CPJ of the interview, even if the NCAA asked him not to. That seems to be the biggest sticking point to the NCAA.
They are mad DRad talked to CPJ about the pending interview, and this is there way to punish Tech for a kid maybe/maybe not wearing $312 in clothing that he maybe/maybe not received from someone who may/may not be a friend of an agent.
This is another example of why the NCAA looks like a complete joke to average football fans like me. They need to go away.”
rogeriter
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
Enter your comments here
spt
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
So who does Tech punch in the face now?
Buckeye and the Nebraska fan (a.k.a. Buckeye’s mama)
Big Ten Champs Nebraska
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
ChuckDowdle
July 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
ToccoaDawg, there is no question the AJC and Bradley should take some of the blame for allowing the tech cheating/cover-up story to remain under wraps. Meanwhile, if a UGA player is accused of a minor traffic violation the AJC will tweet, blog, e-mail and notify the entire Western world.
I think there is medication available to treat your paranoia.
WnE
July 14th, 2011
5:04 pm
This is both KARMA and “poetic justice” for the geeky-nerd-loser-douchebag segment of the GT fanbase.
When UNC Chapel lost ultiple players for getting some “Food & Drinks” at a party, the smug GT Fanbase wanted Butch Davis FIRED and called the UNC program out of control, now the GT players are the ones taking small gifts, NONE of those douchebage-weasely fans remember their comments levied at OTHER CFB Programs.
Many GT Fans love to claim how stupid the Mutt Program is, but they were “smart enough” to sit AJ Green for the first 4-games rather than try to get away with it, GT acted WORSE than both ug@ & UNC because they wnet against NCAA instructions and prepped the SA’s “testimony” in order to INTERRUPT the investigation.
DRad might be the one taking the fall, but I guarantee you that the “PE Major from W. Carolina” was the one that didn’t want to sit Star players going into the ACC-CG.
Also none the allegation involve the B-BALL Program, yet DRAD offers the B-BALL program up as sacrificial lambs for something that the FB PROGRAM did, so basically GT & DRad are still executing a COVER-UP as they try to impose “self-inflicted penalties” on themselves.
The arrogance of GT, they get dinged for a cover-up, so what do they do, THEY RESPOND WITH EVEN MORE COVER-UPS by trying to scape-goat the B-Ball program for something that the FB Program did.
Mr Charlie
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
BBBBBWWWWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAHA
DawginLex
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
Buckeye
OSU won’t be ranked at all by year end
Their play might be rank but the team won’t be ranked
Red Neck Riviera
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
Nick $aban would be proud.
RightAllTheTime
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
I wasn’t aware that Butch Davis was charged in the LOA of lying, cheating, covering up, etc. Matter of fact, I didn’t think his name was mentioned in the LOA, nor was there any mention of a coverup. Someone pls, provide me with some substance to substantiate several hater claims on this posting.
ToccoaDawg
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
To the Nebraska fan posting on here. Nothing against your cornshuckers, but, how are they going to win the Big 10+2 when they have one of the hardest conference schedules in the Big 10+2?
ATL_Brutus
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
There Tech goes, cheating and covering up by their Athletics Administration – trying to act all big and bad like an SEC team. Good god if you’re going to lie, cheat and cover up at least do it for more than $312. Go out and sign a few 5-star players every decade or so.
Buckeyes forever.
Dawg Tell
July 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
Even if the GT bloggers go to the UGA site and make stupid and dirty comments,I will not make fun of the situation at Tech. Hope your program improves including ours so we can play again on the same level of competition .Now if the NCAA did this to Tech,what in the hell well Ohio State face or North Carolina???GO DAWGS!
DIT
July 14th, 2011
5:06 pm
@DawginLex – That was funny!
JacketFan
July 14th, 2011
5:07 pm
Suck it, Bradley. No one is embarrassed – at least not this Jacket. The NCAA is a **** joke and this won’t stand. You can bet there will be an appeal.
Big Ten Champs Nebraska
July 14th, 2011
5:07 pm
Why can’t Georgians get the “They’re, There, and Their” correct? Same with “Your and You’re”
This is why Caleb King has to take a chance on the supplemental draft.
Casual Observer
July 14th, 2011
5:08 pm
Hey, ‘Wally Butts’…a little testy today aren’t you? Have a cold beer (no, perhaps ice tea), crank up the ‘ol computer game, wait for mailman to bring your Netflix chick flick….you’ll be fine
ZachKlein
July 14th, 2011
5:08 pm
GaTech will not be returning rings or Coach Johnson’s $200K bonus for the 2009 ACC Championship.
Drunk as hell at the Esso Club
July 14th, 2011
5:08 pm
Does Dabo Swinney and Clemson now inherit the 2009 ACC Title?
Beast from the East
July 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
Buckeye,
Who’s gonna be the HC in 2012? I’m predicting Urban comes out of retirement for about $5.5 million per year to lead the Buckeyes. Your thoughts?
UGA Student
July 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
I have some level of respect for GT as a school. Ohio State on the other hand, has a President that doesn’t have the guts to do the right thing even if he wanted to. Tressel resigned, but only because Gee didn’t want harsher infractions, not because Gee made him do the right thing by OSU.
Big Ten Champs Nebraska
July 14th, 2011
5:10 pm
Frank Solich takes over at OSY in 2012
Big Ten Champs Nebraska
July 14th, 2011
5:11 pm
Excuse me…OSU
UGA Student
July 14th, 2011
5:11 pm
@ Nebraska
Those errors are annoying.
NCAA is Bi-Polar
July 14th, 2011
5:11 pm
The BIG TEN Commissioner
has a great idea about schools leaving the NCAA.
RightAllTheTime
July 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
Don’t you just love the a-holes who keep shouting, “Auburn is next, UNC is next, yada, yada, yada.” Those idiots provide no facts, just stupid-ass accusations. Those people are as transparent as cheap toilet paper. It’s like there program staffed with saints. Let me examine any program like the NCAA did to UNC and UNC will be one of the few programs allowed by the NCAA to remain playing football.
WhyDoesAJC
July 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
Report every rape, murder, and stabbing within 10 miles of the GT campus yet can’t uncover a major investigation by the NCAA? Absolutely shocked that the AJC kept this under wraps.
DAWG FAN FROM DOUGLISVILLE
July 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
U all that kept pickin on UGA sux!
juvenal
July 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
thought the golf thing was worse….
GOLDNWHITEFORLIFE
July 14th, 2011
5:14 pm
JB get a life man. You hate Tech more than you love UGA. What a true Dog fan. I feel the same about UGA. Can’t stand them. I know you’re loving this. Can’t wait for this to happen to You and You’re beloved UGA. PJ doesn’t have to answer to anyone, esp you.
ToccoaDawg
July 14th, 2011
5:14 pm
Big Ten Champs Nebraska, your comments show you don’t read AJC very much or you would know every time a Georgia player trips on a sidewalk its a big deal for the AJC. But if Georgia Techies lie to the ncaa its swept under the AJC rug.
Pig Farmers Local 42
July 14th, 2011
5:15 pm
U recruit scum bag kids (see UGAG”s washaun Ealey/Caleb King) this is what u get. I would rather lose with dignity and honesty to the trailor- trash (bulldawgs)than stoop to their level. I guess other in the Tech office dont see it that way. Sheesh!
GOLDNWHITEFORLIFE
July 14th, 2011
5:17 pm
WnE there you are. We were all waiting on you to respond. I know you love this. Enjoy this. We will all be doing the same to you when the hammer falls on UGA. Choke on it loser.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 14th, 2011
5:19 pm
I think THE OSU allowed tressel to say he retired now versus resigned. That makes it all better, right Buckeye.
JoeSchaad
July 14th, 2011
5:20 pm
“According to the committee, the university’s failure to cooperate and meet the obligations of membership compounded the seriousness of the case by adding onto what was originally an isolated instance of impermissible benefits and preferential treatment,” the NCAA said in a prepared statement.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
July 14th, 2011
5:21 pm
Mark: Does this mean that DRad and CPJ have clear sailing for sure? Also, are they really to blame if Dr. Petersen
made the final decision to let the players compete?
Jack in the Box
July 14th, 2011
5:23 pm
Everything will be all right.
GSU
July 14th, 2011
5:23 pm
Rumor has it that they are going after Ga. State next because of all the circus sweaters that Curry has accumulated after all of these years and contnues to wear them. He has been warned on numerous occassions to remove the sweaters and refuses to. That’s why he had to leave Kentucky..
WendyBillingsley
July 14th, 2011
5:23 pm
Mark – I support you. Don’t listen to all these Georgia Tech haters. I truly believe you didn’t catch wind of this story until today and thus you didn’t cover it up or sweep it under the covers as some have alleged. You keep doing what you’re doing and turning out great articles and blogs.
Go Jackets!
Cottonelle
July 14th, 2011
5:25 pm
The TAR HEELS are next ON THE HIT LIST.
Paul N Destin
July 14th, 2011
5:26 pm
I am sure that the NCAA will nail Nebraska just as they did Alabama and make they vacate wins. If not then why not! Bama self reported the very same issue yet the NCAA bitc&slapped them anyway.
JB
July 14th, 2011
5:26 pm
Going to be walking on eggs shells around the ole flats the next four years. One little slip up could mean big trouble.Boy, I hope nobody gets punched in the face over this.
Tobacco Road
July 14th, 2011
5:27 pm
Butch Davis is gone from Chapel Hill.
JB
July 14th, 2011
5:29 pm
Bey Bey didn’t even help against Iowa. Man, talk about a defense. I’ve never seen Tech get hit in the backfield so much. Bey bey for all intent could have bought a ticket and watched.
Andy Stanley
July 14th, 2011
5:30 pm
Before I head out to the Yes & Styx concert at Verizon, let me just add my two cents. Basically the NCAA spent ONE YEAR investigating GT athletics and this is the most they could come up with. Nothing basically. It’s like Capone being slapped with tax evasion. Every now and then you have to take measures to remain competitive with certain other teams in the state and conference.
I applaud D-Rad’s compliance in this matter and for the self-penalties imposed and I place most of the blame on Calvin Booker.
jasont13
July 14th, 2011
5:30 pm
What I want to know is why did Paul Johnson and Dan Radakovich allow the player in question to continue to participate, and why were they not forth-coming to the NCAA?
Secondly, how come this is the first we are hearing about it. Is Ken Seguria not doing his job? As much as I hate it, Chip Towers uses the “Freedom of Information Act” on UGA so much I heard they are going to rename it the Chip Towers ACT.
Steve
July 14th, 2011
5:30 pm
yo Nebraska dude this is Mark Bradley’s blog yes…but it’s about Ga Tech so that makes it a Tech blog. and you were the one that indicated Nebraska is never in trouble with the NCAA, and I google something in like 30 seconds to prove otherwise. when you can’t win the Big whatever it’s being called these days, what conference will you go to next? SunBelt may accept you but they have North Texas and I know how you folks can’t handle playing any schools from Texas
headley lamar
July 14th, 2011
5:31 pm
Why can’t Georgians get the “They’re, There, and Their” correct? Same with “Your and You’re”
Its called the internet and texting. Someday they will have that in Nebraska too.
Grammar is for 3rd grade teachers and old ladies. As long as everyone knows what your trying to say why does it matter especially on the internet. This isnt a high school term paper.
Calidog
July 14th, 2011
5:31 pm
It’s an embarrassing day for the sports department at the AJC, which apparently had no idea Tech was up for sanctions. How has this not gotten out until the NCAA announced it today??? Nice work, AJC.
HarveyUpdyke
July 14th, 2011
5:32 pm
Not surprising that this tech jerk would go to the Barn…
“Within the investigation, the NCAA noted the combative and confrontational attitude of general counsel, Randy Nordin. He retired in December. Paul Parker, formerly the assistant athletics director at compliance (for Georgia Tech), left in April to take a job with Auburn.”