Memo to Georgia Tech: LSU shows how to handle the NCAA
Georgia Tech could have spared itself by being nicer. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Here’s a quote that should be posted on the wall of the Edge Center, which is the official name of the building that houses Georgia Tech’s athletic association. It comes from LSU chancellor Michael Martin in the wake of his school’s NCAA sanctions, which were announced Tuesday:
“A situation that could have been much worse was made better by the dedicated work of the LSU athletics compliance staff and I am pleased that the NCAA recognized LSU’s effort to cooperate and be proactive. The compliance staff … made an exemplary showing of how a university should react when mistakes are made.”
To recap: LSU was found guilty of major violations involving former assistant coach D.J. McCarthy, who’d been recruiting JUCO transfer Akiem Hicks. For this, the NCAA placed the Tigers on one year’s probation.
Point of comparison: Georgia Tech took what should have been a secondary violation and turned it into four years’ probation, a $100,000 fine and a forfeited conference championship.
The difference: LSU made a concerted attempt to find out what was what. Indeed, committee on infractions chairman Dennis Thomas pointed to Miriam Segar, the school’s associate AD, and her efforts to dig into a messy situation. Said Thomas: “That was critical. If that had not been done, the institution could have really been under more severe and serious penalties as well.”
LSU, to borrow from Sir Paul McCartney, took a sad song and made it better. Georgia Tech took what the NCAA described as an “obstructionist” stance and got slapped down. Two case studies, I’d call these.
Oh, and where did Dan Radakovich work before being hired as Tech’s athletic director in 2006? At LSU.
By Mark Bradley
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290 comments Add your comment
BRW
July 20th, 2011
12:55 pm
At least you got your name right, Doofus…..
Doofus
July 20th, 2011
12:58 pm
But by admitting it I will only get 1 year of probation!
Pitbull
July 20th, 2011
12:58 pm
The comments posted here reflect the fact that Tech people think themselves so smart that they are incapable from learning from their mistakes.
The first rule in learning from your mistakes is to acknowledge that you have made them.
So Techies, do not be surprised when the NCAA slaps you down again when you repeat the mistake of not being honest and forthright about the facts when the next NCAA inquiry comes.
Just bend over and take it.
And remember that Tech needs college football a lot more than college football needs Georgia Tech.
Ted M
July 20th, 2011
1:00 pm
It appears to me…That in the LSU case the NCAA investigator did not ask the impossible “don’t tell CPJ” The difference: LSU made a concerted attempt to find out what was what. Seems GT was banned from this.
gt4ever
July 20th, 2011
1:02 pm
and then there was Pitbull….. Deep, very Deep! The hits just keep on rolling….
BRW
July 20th, 2011
1:03 pm
Would have had to have MADE a mistake to learn from one PitButt. You are the one who does not get it…
reality check
July 20th, 2011
1:06 pm
Just a thought on the Cam situation which apparently everybody on this board (esp. T3 @ 11:28) is more knowledgeable than the NCAA.
Cecil admitted to discussing money with a slime ball Kenny Rogers. Yes, there is proof of this, but there is no proof on who initiated the conversation. A desperate Kenny may have called a temporarily confused Cecil to propose his scheme. Unfortunately the conversation happened, but thankfully Cecil wised up and moved his boy to another school. The key to his whole story is no money changed hands unlike every other story out there today.
The NCAA can find $312 (in less than a year), however much a tattoo cost (in less than 6 months) and $25,000 for old information (in less than a few weeks), but they can’t seem to find $180,000 ( in over a year and counting).
If the NCAA makes ineligible every player that was ever offered money, clothes, rides, etc. there would be no collegiate players out there. I’d be sure to drive over to Athens or Tuscaloosa and wave money at every player walking off the practice fields, then call up my local NCAA agent and report my conversations with players or their parents.
There is no proof from any other school (Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee) that Cecil asked for money. Now obviously AU is not going to admit that, but why wouldn’t Oklahoma or Tennessee speak up? Its all very interesting how little people actually know about what they are talking about.
Dan
July 20th, 2011
1:08 pm
“The NCAA declared Georgia Tech guilty of INTERFERING with an investigation into a player receiving gifts way back in 2009″
INTERFERINING!!! So all you idot Tech fans, THAT’S WHAT YOU GOT HIT HARD FOR!!!!
GTBrad
July 20th, 2011
1:12 pm
I am not trying to say that LSU did not handle their situation better than Tech did, LSU DEFINITELY handled the situation better (although I did kind’ve like GT sticking it to the man by continuing to claim innocence).
But the punishments handed down by the NCAA were just plain out wrong in comparison. (Most) Everyone can agree that LSUs punishment was less than GT’s and that they handled the violation better. But, without taking into account how each school dealt with the NCAA, which SCHOOL committed the WORSE VIOLATION??? LSU OF COURSE!!! So does it really make since that GT’s punishment was so much worse?
It all comes down to the NCAA handing out punishments based MORE ON COOPERATION THAN THE CRIME itself (although I would argue that GT did cooperate much more so than the NCAA claims). Yes, cooperation is important, but the crime is more so!
The NCAA is definitely sending the wrong message to schools by doing this – they’re only hurting their efforts at reducing violations. How can anyone stick up for the NCAA in this blog???
Hal
July 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
I can’t believe you believe what you wrote and think its a level playing field. The NCAA appears to be very subjective in its judgements and therefore can never be trusted to give a fair evaluation for a given violation. There was obviously a personality conflict with the investigator and the Tech staff and Tech lost.
gdawginkalamazoo
July 20th, 2011
1:18 pm
Eddie, yes you are probably right. The only thing the NCAA is consistent at is being inconsistent.
dap01
July 20th, 2011
1:29 pm
Good article MB: Wow, there is a big contrast between your point of view an Jeff Schultz’s article. Is he designated to pull for Georgia Tech?
SliveTiger
July 20th, 2011
1:34 pm
Great article Mark! This cover-up operation at Georgia Tech represents exactly what is wrong with NCAA football today. It is obvious that Tech was lying and cheating and got called out by the NCAA and made an example of, while schools that are exemplary like LSU could set the standard by imposing self enforcement.
Kudos Mark Bradley! (and Tech fans…just remember…38-3!!!!)
Richt`s Hammer
July 20th, 2011
1:49 pm
Wow this is great. Bet I only have to win three games this year.
GTBrad
July 20th, 2011
2:00 pm
Tennis Rodman,
If we’re NERDS what does that make you? An idiot?…I’ll take the former.
Please Move Along
July 20th, 2011
2:05 pm
Nothing to see or look at in Auburn…
http://outkickthecoverage.com/ncaa-investigation-of-auburn-continues.php
Ted Striker
July 20th, 2011
2:08 pm
“LSU, to borrow from Sir Paul McCartney, took a sad song and made it better.”
Can’t go wrong quoting a McCartney hit.
Haven’t commented in your blogs lately (life occasionally calls and won’t give up calling) however fine and fair writing still abounds in your opinions and observations.
Kudos to you, Sir Markus Bradleus. See you round, kind sir.
GTBrad
July 20th, 2011
2:12 pm
Mark,
I just noticed your caption. By “being nicer” you mean submitting to the NCAA and admitting to claims that they believe were untrue/exaggerated? GT wasn’t being mean/disrespectful, they were just expressing what they actually believe. I think GT did the right thing in keeping their dignity.
T3
July 20th, 2011
2:22 pm
HOLY $%^&*()_ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just got off the phone with a friend from college, an Attorney in west Tennessee,
with “experience” in NCAA-related matters.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s what was described, in his own opinion:
1. Auburn will “beat the wrap” on Cam Newton. Here’s how:
The NCAA Infractions Committe ruled that Newton had lost his amateur status and was ineiligble to play. So, Auburn then ruled him ineligible. The very next day, a completely separate NCAA committee, the NCAA Reinstatement Committe ruled Newton eligible to play, based on the
evidence and criteria used by the Reinstatement committee.
Auburn knew that while the Infractions Committe could rule Newton ineligible, a separate NCAA committee could rule him eligible to play based on the rules of the Reinstatement committee, which was the committee that did in fact rule Newton eligible to play.
So, by Auburn taking the tactic of ruling Newton ineligibile, it “moved” the eligibility decision out of the jurisdiction on the Infractions Committee and into the jurisdiction of the Reinstatement committe. And the Reinstatement Committee used a very different set of criteria to review Newton’s case.
So as this attorney described, Auburn simply “gamed the NCAA system.”
And here’s the REALLY big news: How did Auburn KNOW how to “game the system.”
Auburn was advised of this approach to “gaming the NCAA”
by “a person or persons” located in Hoover, AL.
Draw your own conlusions from that.
Eddie
July 20th, 2011
2:23 pm
@gdawginkalamazoo,
The NCAA is remarkably consistent when you look at the money they have at stake in each situation.
The Ohio State and Auburn situations were predictable.
There was no way the NCAA going to suspend Cam Newton, Terrelle Pryor, or the Ohio State players before the Iron Bowl, the SEC Championship, the Sugar Bowl, or the BCS Championship games.
Fewer people would tune into the games and CBS, ABC, and ESPN and their advertisers would lose their big payday and figure it into their next TV contract negotiation.
In GT’s and UGA’s cases, neither are expected to play in these high dollar games in 2011, so the NCAA can assert itself with little financial risk. LSU has a very good chance to make it to a BCS game this year, so the NCAA gives them a slap on the wrist.
Once you follow the money, you can predict what the NCAA will do.
That said, Ohio State and Auburn better not start off poorly this season.
If they get off to good starts, they will skate.
What would Bobby Dodd do?
July 20th, 2011
2:29 pm
I’m not sure what the big deal is? It’s not like many people saw the 2009 ACC Championship anyway.
Besides, Coach Johnson has bigger fish to fry.
jay
July 20th, 2011
2:33 pm
I think even the rank and file Dawg fan is somewhat sympathetic to Tech’s plight, knowing how arbitrarily the NCAA does things. But now
is the time to shut up and take your punishment like a man.
Eddie
July 20th, 2011
2:39 pm
T3,
The course of action for Auburn was likely initated by the NCAA through the offices of Lightfoot, Franklin & White.
It is well documented that the deferred suspension approach for the Ohio State players was made by the NCAA, not Ohio State University or its legal counsel.
Today, the NCAA refuses to tell either school their investigations are closed until they begin to see how this years’ seasons play out.
If either school starts out poorly, expect some action from the NCAA. If either school appears BCS-bowl bound, their investigation will quietly close.
Follow the money.
T3
July 20th, 2011
2:49 pm
Eddie:
Here’s why both Jim Delaney(BIG10) and Mike Slive(SEC) are
AGRESSIVELY RUSHING the NCAA to formulate and implement new
rules regarding paying players the so-called “Full Cost of Tuition.”
If the Delaney and Slive can get the NCAA to make the changes,
then then Ohio State and Auburn can make the case that…Oh, players were having to do “extraordinary things”…just to keep up with the costs of their education…and all these “bad thngs” would have NEVER happened if the NCAA had already had the new “Full Cost of Tuition” rules in place. Blah Blah Blah.
This is their strategy. Make a new rule, and then place
the PREVIOUS infractions into the framework of the new rule.
Translation: Minor slaps on the wrist for both Ohio State and Auburn, in light of NEW rules.
Cant have the “Cash Cows” out of service.
Memo to GT- NCAA is a joke.
July 20th, 2011
2:53 pm
Memo to GT- NCAA is a joke.
BT75
July 20th, 2011
3:22 pm
The bottom line is that the NCAA needs to be investigated by the US Congress. Let the NCAA feel the heat!
How to clean up college sports? Led an ear to the SEC's Slive | Mark Bradley
July 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
[...] on infractions, and the NCAA, in announcing one year’s probation for LSU on Tuesday, made special mention of the zeal with which the Tigers sought to uncover the [...]
T3
July 20th, 2011
4:47 pm
Bobby Dodd pulled GT out of the SEC in 1964 because he was bitterly opposed
to what the SEC was becoming then, and what the SEC has CLEARLY become today:
A plantation system.
A plantation system so completely corrupted with
1. Financial corruption
2. Politically corrupted state Boards of Regents
3. Purposely watered-down academics
4. Recruitment and Use of illiterate athletes
5. A clearly financially and ethically corrupted NCAA
ALL done for the EXPLICIT purpose of generating revenue for the Athletic Associations,
and now, media outlets.
Do I exaggerate?
Dr. Leroy Ervin was the former UGA Director of Remedial Learning and
a UGA Assistant University Vice-President.
Here are his EXACT words on UGA’s recruitment and play
of academcially deficient student athletes:
“Now, you talk about [how] these kids are not taught in high school. They aren’t. We try to teach them here, but there is no way to do it. The majority of these kids are black that are coming in.
I know for a fact that these kids would not be here if it were not for their utility to the institution. There is no real sound academic reason for their being here other than to be utilized to produce income. They are used as a kind of raw material in the production of some goods to be sold…and they get nothing in return….”
READ THAT AGAIN:
“There is no real sound academic reason for their being here
other than to be utilized to produce income.”
History also shows similar situation at Tennessee, Alabama, MIssissippi, and Auburn.
Dont forget, Auburn almost lost it’s Accrediation as a UNIVERSITY becasue of corruption that spilled over form the Atheltics Association.
There you have it. Undeniable proof of how UGA and the rest of the SEC really works.
TomB
July 20th, 2011
5:28 pm
Most people are missing the point of this article. Bradley is saying compliance is the most important thing when dealing with the NCAA. If you read between the lines, what he is saying is cheating is alright as long as you hire the right people to caress the NCAA compliance department. And this is exactly what the NCAA was saying by giving LSU fewer years probation than GT even though LSU had a major violation and GT did not. This ruling by the NCAA makes a joke of their organization because it says the rules are not that important. What is important is that you bow down before us because as you know every school is guilty until we say otherwise. Bradley’s logic on this one is disappointing because he has the statistics. He knows the SEC leads the nation in NCAA violations, and he knows time and time again that this conference never gets anything but a slap on the wrist(LSU).
TomB
July 20th, 2011
7:05 pm
Bradley: LSU shows how to handle the NCAA. Memo to Tech: Hire more darn lawyers and spend more money on compliance and you can cheat as much as the mighty SEC schools do. Get it Tech. You have to spend more to cheat more. Does the NCAA take in to account how many major violations a school has? No, not the National Compliance Athletic Association. Mark Bradley, almost a lawyer, is showing his true colors
Sport And You :: All About Sports. Tennis, Cricket, Cycling, Baseball, Formula One, Rugby, NBA, Winter Sports, Tennis, golf, soccer, ...
July 20th, 2011
8:46 pm
[...] NCAA, in announcing one year’s probation for LSU on Tuesday, made special mention of the zeal with which the Tigers sought to [...]
dawghater1
July 20th, 2011
10:36 pm
just hang in there mark, i figure the ajc has maybe three more years, then flushed down the toilet.
FootballJunkie
July 21st, 2011
9:59 am
Note to Tech: The truth hurts, but the article is true. LSU was proactive and never allowed the player to play or travel with the team and fired the coach. The coach was rouge that they had just hired from UCLA and had a hidden cell phone that he intentionally hid from the compliance staff as well as his shady recruiting practices. The compliance staff found about his actions anyway, because they were honest and diligent and dealt with it the way it should be dealt with. It is painfully obvious LSU runs a clean ship and does not try to cover things up or hide them like Tech and other schools did. Deal with it. You guys are supposed to be considered smart or something, yet logic seems to escape you, but it is probably just denile.
TOP SECRET VIDEO FOOTAGE OF NEW NIKE LSU PROTOTYPE UNIFORMS IN ACTION | nike
July 21st, 2011
11:16 am
[...] in the McCarthy case, the LSU Compliance Dept. has rightly had it’s praises sung nationally, in Atlanta (H/T Big McLargeHuge), and from our B1G [...]
TomB
July 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
For Mark Bradley and Football Junkie and all the other SEC Homers:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110721/SPORTS0402/307210001/Comparitively-speaking-did-LSU-win-NCAA-probe-?odyssey=nav%7Chead
Football Junkie: its denial not denile. LSU runs a clean ship is the funniest thing i’ve read in days. Logic, Football Junkie, would mean that those schools guilty of major recruiting violations would be subject to greater punishment than schools with minor recruiting violations. Is this denile?, oh I mean denial. LSU grad.
TomB
July 21st, 2011
1:02 pm
Two more:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/15312728/major-ncaa-violations-yield-relatively-minor-consequences
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/15304779/infractions-scoreboard-nearly-everybody-gets-in-on-the-fun
Hoopster
July 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
Are you kidding me? LSU committed major violations and then the guilty party covered it up and lied about it. Is that showing how it’s done?
Mark Bradley
July 22nd, 2011
3:23 pm
You sir are a giant A$$HO1E
You are also the SEC and NCAA’s B1TCH
Bend over for them, just like they train you to Bark Madley
You are the scum of the journalist world
I question if you think about what you are writing sometimes
You are the biggest C-U-N-T i know
Continue the Crap work you churn out there at the AJC
NYJacket
July 24th, 2011
10:41 pm
I thought we got hammered because our head coach started to find out what was going on?
The Monday Melange 07.25.11: Jim Donnan, Gene Chizik, Dan Radakovich « Everyone's Entitled to Joe's Opinion
July 25th, 2011
1:01 am
[...] out of it, because they were deemed as failing to cooperate with the NCAA’s investigation. AJC sports columnist Mark Bradley contrasts the Georgia Tech situation with the situation at LSU, which had a major infraction and could have gotten in huge trouble but got off with the equivalent [...]