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
WendyBillingsley
July 14th, 2011
5:34 pm
Calidog, you LEAVE MARK BRADLEY ALONE! He did not have one single clue about this cover-up investigation nor did anyone else at the AJC!!!
Paul Johnson
July 14th, 2011
5:40 pm
I know nutting!!!
PrivateSantiago
July 14th, 2011
5:43 pm
In the words of GA Tech athletics guru D- Rad, “”What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!”
Bean Counter
July 14th, 2011
5:43 pm
Lets look at the finances – Tech got $17,000,000 for being the conference champion and playing in the Orange Bowl. They are fined $100,000 for cheating. That still leaves a profit of $16,900,000. Not a bad payday!
question?
July 14th, 2011
5:44 pm
PrivateSantiago
Go watch the movie again. Santiago didn’t say that
coloradobulldog
July 14th, 2011
5:44 pm
Guess it could be worse, Tech could be a team from a lousy state like Nebraska!
JB
July 14th, 2011
5:46 pm
Bean counter………….If you don’t know that Tech had to share that money with the rest of the ACC, please stay away from my Tax return…LOL
DearBeanCounter
July 14th, 2011
5:46 pm
GT Athletics when last counted was operating at a $700,000 deficit due to poor season ticket sales in football and basketball, and that was before today’s penalty and doesn’t include the coliseum replacement. Need some more paydays!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 14th, 2011
5:47 pm
Yeah the one victory they have is now vacated? O what a beautiful day.
JB
July 14th, 2011
5:47 pm
Hewitt worried about getting his check next month?
RightAllTheTime
July 14th, 2011
5:48 pm
Tobacco Road, why and when is Butch Davis going? Pls come back when he goes, or when it is obvious that he is not going anywhere. I’m sure you want to be held accountable for what you mouth.
You are a transparent demagogue.
JB
July 14th, 2011
5:49 pm
Is Pepper Rodgers still available?
FireBudPederson
July 14th, 2011
5:51 pm
He and D-Rad had to have knowledge that this cover-up was taking place.
LegalBeagle
July 14th, 2011
5:51 pm
Evidently the NCAA feels they have compelling evidence to support handing down such penalties in this matter. Regardless of whether you agree of disagree with the penalties, one thing can be agreed on, the NCAA is sending a message meant for more than just Georgia Tech. Assuming the NCAA is a fair and just organization (even though their own prior actions have proven them not to be) that imposes its penalties based on the crime (rather than the school who committed the crime), programs like the University of Southern California, Ohio State University and University of Tennessee should be very worried – based on magnitude of infractions in comparison to Georgia Tech, the NCAA is very likely considering the death penalty for these programs.
ToccoaDawg
July 14th, 2011
5:53 pm
Does this mean Johnson’s Johnson is on the hot seat?
D'Rad's Lies Make Me Sick
July 14th, 2011
6:01 pm
Just watched the presser, had to contribute to the failure to cooperate charge.
headley lamar
July 14th, 2011
6:02 pm
First.
Only tech could cheat and still suck.
This blog could have ended after the first comment
Well said sir well said.
AJ Saunders
July 14th, 2011
6:03 pm
Where was the ATL media during this investigation? Absolutely zero coverage. Or just no clue? You would think someone would have reported about these troubles before the NCAA released a statement
ATLBamaFan
July 14th, 2011
6:03 pm
And the GT fans call the UGA fans stupid??? The way UGA’s Richt handled the AJ Green situation is an example of why the man should stay HC. The reason the NCAA tells the coached and AD’s to stay away from a kid under investigation is so that there will not be an opportunity for some dummy to influence the kid’s testimony. What where the GT folks thinking?
George Stein
July 14th, 2011
6:03 pm
Any particular reason you’re interested in his Johnson, Toccoa?
question?
July 14th, 2011
6:04 pm
D’Rad’s Lies Make Me Sick
where can you watch the press conf?
Cardinal Sin
July 14th, 2011
6:05 pm
Yes, GT hates being embarrassed.
Bradley has been embarrassed so often, he certainly will gloat on this one.
ATLBamaFan
July 14th, 2011
6:07 pm
And the GT fans want to call the UGA fans stupid???
Dawg Tired
July 14th, 2011
6:11 pm
Again the NCAA demonstrates its incompetence. Punishment seems way to harsh.
Midtown
July 14th, 2011
6:12 pm
Help me here. I know I have missed something but why is there a reduction in recruiting days
for basketball?
Thanks
Spike
July 14th, 2011
6:13 pm
Snicker. You so called smart guys deserve this, you arrogant jerks. Quit looking down your collective noses so much.
Spike
July 14th, 2011
6:14 pm
Do you have to give your ACC Champs rings back?
John D
July 14th, 2011
6:15 pm
Just so I’m clear..
The NCAA – which can’t get out of it’s own way half the time – says that schools must rule players ineligible on the possibility that they received illegal benefits from someone outside the purview of the athletic department?? Is that where we are?
The NCAA screwed UNC last year; Screwed UGA with the AJ Green scenario; Ohio State – ok they screwed themselves.
It’s about time for some of the players to ban together and file suit against the NCAA for profiting from their likeness – without fairly compensating them. The rules against player compensation are founded in 1950s era entertainment and sports. A class-action suit of former D1 football players and basketball players would go a long way towards getting the attention of the NCAA.
In this instance – the NCAA says – hey, your violation was small. But you really pissed us off with your lack of kow-towing to our investigators so we are going to hammer you with sanctions just so you know we are the big bully on the block. When does the Mark Cuban National Championship Invitational start??
Mike
July 14th, 2011
6:15 pm
Mark Bradley—I have a question for you. Why haven’t you reported this earlier? If it had been UGA, you would have been all over it and laughing while you were writing it.
DisappointedTechAlum
July 14th, 2011
6:18 pm
Enter your comments here
John D
July 14th, 2011
6:18 pm
ATLBamaFan – The NCAA screwed UGA by causing AJ Green to miss 4 games while they jerked around their investigation. It should have been a 1 game suspension for the player – no penalty for the school.
Lee
July 14th, 2011
6:25 pm
More of an embarrassing day for the AJC than for the Jackets. Where the hell were you people on this story? I don’t see how you can look your peers in the face after whiffing so badly on such a major story.
John D
July 14th, 2011
6:26 pm
Lest anyone think this isn’t about the NCAA trying to point out they are still relevant and can stay ahead – note how they can’t seem to get the Auburn investigation closed.
Note the idiocy of the investigation:
A source told ESPN’s Joe Schad that as part of the case, the NCAA investigated the relationship between former Georgia Tech quarterback Calvin Booker, who is alleged to have worked for a sports agent, and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
SO…. for those who can’t read – The NCAA decided there was a possible violation when the former suite mate (Booker) of a player (Thomas) – who was on the team and in school for 2 years with the player – gave the player $300 in clothing. But what really pissed of the NCAA – was that the coach asked another player (Burnett) who was at dinner at McDonald’s that night with aforementioned players – if he got any clothing. That’s the interference..
The bball violation – is a team manager running a youth basketball camp, passed along some notes about the better players to the coaching staff.
Are you effing kidding me??? Does the NCAA compliance committee have 4000 people working for it??
DisappointedTechAlum
July 14th, 2011
6:29 pm
What a sad day for the Jackets – I support our team win, loose, or draw – but I must admit, that I am not proud of the events that have led to this action. Unfortunately College Athletics have become a joke in the last few years. The days of “real” college students playing sports for the love of the game are gone. We seem to value athletes more than students – maybe it is time to put a focus back on education.
Hap Smith
July 14th, 2011
6:34 pm
Okay as a true Georgia Fan willing to post my true name, I am deeply sorry for all my Tech friends. This is sad. Tech works as hard as any school I know about doing everything in a very honorable way. Tech is full of great coaches, solid student athletes and loyal fans. You don’t deserve this. Best wishes to all my good Tech friends. I’ll keep on kidding you when we beat you every year, but I’m not going to kid you about this. Best Regards. Put it behind you and win the ACC Championship this year.
NoCoach Blewitt
July 14th, 2011
6:36 pm
4 yrs probation for $312 worth of gifts. AJ Green sells his jersey to an agent for 4 digits and absolutely nothing comes of it. NCAA gonna NCAA
Ramblnwrek
July 14th, 2011
6:40 pm
Sounds like we are the flavor of the month. I have no doubt, that our in-state brother will use this as a fodder just as much as we use their shenanigans.
I honestly believe CPJ probably didn’t know anything. He is the type of guy that just wants a Yes or No answers when he asks questions and then moves on. DRad said yes. So he moved on from there. If it had been no, then he would have put others in their place…..probably would not have won. But thats a conversation in and of itself.
George O'Liary
July 14th, 2011
6:43 pm
I swear I had nothing to do with it.
Repeat Offender
July 14th, 2011
6:50 pm
It is not the $312 – it is the lack of cooperation, attempt to disrupt the NCAA investigation, and previous conviction of use of ineligible players.
dawg4u
July 14th, 2011
6:55 pm
I am a dawg fan but the fact is that the NCAA has become more hated than the IRS or just about any sleazy politician or weak congress. This group can just do whatever they want with no questions asked. Whatever happened to a punishment that fits the crime instead of just ruining an already beleaguered program for years. Abolish the NCAA and elect a nine person board of governors or trustees or whatever you want to call them and if they abuse the office then boot them out.
What's the Good Word? To Hell With Drad!
July 14th, 2011
6:55 pm
In most lines of works, you screw up as bad as Radakovich did on this and you get fired. Instead, looks like he just keeps on being highest paid AD in ACC. Sickening.
NoCoach Blewitt
July 14th, 2011
6:56 pm
Revenue Source FTW. More money you makes these worthless cows the less chance you will be caught doing anything wrong. In fact if third parties didnt bust big schools they would never be disciplined.
Saban
July 14th, 2011
6:59 pm
HA! HA! HA! Tech is the THUG school not Georgia!!
old school
July 14th, 2011
6:59 pm
Well once again Radakovich’s SEC roots when it comes to integrity are shown. He has another big problem with the GT Softball Head Coach unprofessional behavior. Major scandal the past two years with multiple players leaving and asst.coach forced out who recruited their key players.
Perhaps ego has gotten the best of the GT AD???
66Jacket
July 14th, 2011
7:00 pm
There were other times when it would have been appropriate to rid Tech of the Radakovich. If the President has ever had a good reason to send Dave R. packing, it is NOW! This situation was under Radakovich’s watch, and he royally screwed up . . . NO excuses for keeping him now. Get rid of the arrogant guy, who has shown he doesn’t understand the Tech family. It may be also that others have to pay for this inexcuseable situation, and possibly Paul Johnson is not without suspicion. Let’s get to the bottom of this, and let the tale tell itself. Why in the world would the punishment have been so severe unless the arrogance was so blatant. We need more competent people in place!
threetrone
July 14th, 2011
7:10 pm
I am a Tech grad of ‘73, and I don’t see where much damage will be evidenced over time because Tech is not a college, it is an institute of technology that employs people to work there doing research, not just teach there. These workers go to the campus as employees, not students. Tech is not like Georgia or Emory or GSU. The employees at Tech might not ever want to attend any sports events there because maybe they did not go to Tech, they went to some other college. If NFL agents come onto campus representing employment, they are at a place that is not really a college or university, but is an institute of employment as well. So the NCAA really has very little input there, much less any business being there with their rules that do not apply 100%. Theoretically that’s the way Tech is…not really a college. Therefore the damage will never be evident and will be forgotten for the next four years. Even the 100 thou fine will be forgotten.
Puzzled
July 14th, 2011
7:10 pm
The NCAA needs to figure out a way to compensate these kids for their contributions to the “Business of COllege Sports”, instead of trying to hoard it all to themselves.
For example: It’s ok for a student on a band scholarshitp to go out and play in clubs and what not, and earn extra cash, but a student athelete can’t have a job. Why is that?
Don’t say, “Oh, they’re getting a free education.”. THe scholarships are year to year, and it’s at the coach’s disposal to take it away. The typical football player spends at least 40 hours a week, probably more, on football activities during the season.
Studying game film, the playbook, weight training, practice, travel, and the game. How much studying do you really expect him to get done during the season.
The coaches tell them football is first. It’s first to the coaches, becuase they are being compensated in the millions, yet, they can’t give the kid $50 to have a night out with his friends.
Just stop it!!!!
All is not lost...
July 14th, 2011
7:12 pm
You guys lose the ACC Championship Trophy but become a bona fide contender for the Fulmer Cup.
Wanna Bees
July 14th, 2011
7:12 pm
Cheating at GT? Shocking!! Tell me it isn’t so. Such a fine, upstanding institute. Perhaps they got tired of getting their behinds whipped by UGA year in and year out. Who knows? NOW how can they fill their stadium? Free hot dogs, cokes, Varsity hamburgers, tickets to the aquarium, zoo, etc.
Puzzled
July 14th, 2011
7:14 pm
Where’s my post?