NCAA criticizes AJC blog on Richt/Burnette graduation issue, questions journalists’ ‘damning commentary’
David Pickle (right), managing director of publishing at the NCAA (dantudor.com/Selling For Coaches)
The NCAA formally responded to AJC staff writer Michael Carvell’s April 17 online column, “UGA’s Mark Richt should break the rules in the name of academics,” in its Double-A Zone blog Tuesday.
David Pickle, the NCAA’s managing director of publishing, wrote on April 21 that “Atlanta Journal writer Michael Carvell recently encouraged Georgia football coach Mark Richt to stage an act of civil disobedience to call attention to what Carvell believed to be wrong-headed NCAA legislation,” going on to state that Carvell’s public call to action in the case of, as Pickle put it, “Georgia recruit Chris Burnette, one of the nation’s top-rated offensive lineman [sic] – and also valedictorian at Troup (Georgia) High School [sic]” didn’t take into account the NCAA’s flexibility provisions regarding such matters and that, again quoting Pickle, “[Georgia] did not ask for a waiver before [April 17], when Carvell’s blog post appeared.” Burnette has not been named Troup High’s class valedictorian as of this writing.
In his piece, Pickle also questions why the topic was publicly broached.
“My question is why matters like this generate such damning commentary from journalists who should know better.”
“Perhaps that is the signal that was buzzing in the back of Carvell’s mind when he created an escape hatch in his own blog post,” Pickle writes. “After calling the NCAA ‘big and bad’ in paragraph No. 3, he came back five paragraphs later to note that a waiver request probably would be granted. Unfortunately, the damage was done with the presumption of NCAA intransigence.
“Several of the comments that followed impugned the Association for an action it had not taken.”
RELATED: It’s official: UGA coach Mark Richt requesting NCAA waiver to attend graduation [Click here]
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76 comments Add your comment
Dawg MD '77
April 23rd, 2009
12:06 pm
Nothing would make me prouder as a UGA graduate than to see Coach Richt attend Burnette’s graduation. The NCAA’s David Pickle pretty much encouraged him to do so in his blog, saying Coach Richt’s waiver request would be approved. It would be a tremendous amount of goodwill publicity for Coach Richt, UGA, the SEC, college football and even the undeserving NCAA. No losers here. Am I wrong?
Recruitnik
April 23rd, 2009
12:09 pm
The NCAA is full of it as is Pickle. Hello NCAA, CMR did indeed send in a waiver and you have not given an approval or failure. How about shut your trap PIckle and approve it and show us the NCAA isn’t the organization we all know it to be.
macrotech
April 23rd, 2009
12:13 pm
Dawg MD ‘77, I’m going to sit in agreement with ya on THIS one. I believe, you are correct. ;0)
GatorChamps
April 23rd, 2009
12:30 pm
CMR should go. This would be the first and last time I’d ever stand up and cheer for Georgia. This makes the SEC look good. I like it, I like it. Pickle is a prude.
ReggieATL
April 23rd, 2009
12:31 pm
Generally an act of civil disobedience seeks to disobey the law or command of a government entity. That Pickle would use such language speaks volumes of the arrogance of the NCAA. Far from “damning commentary,” I believe Carvell made a legitimate point. Stuck with responding to someone they have no authority deal with formally, all Pickle can do is bristle and bluster. Good job Carvell! More importantly, good job Chris Burnette!!
BamaAttorney
April 23rd, 2009
12:50 pm
Mr. Carvell, just like they wrote in your original article, you nailed this one. I agree 100 percent with the rest of you on here. Richt must go, and the NCAA should reimburse Georgia for travel expenses. Richt will be doing the “holier than thou” NCAA a huge favor. Did anyone read Pickle’s full article? He speaks with the same condescending tone that has made the NCAA legendary.
Huh?
April 23rd, 2009
12:51 pm
LOL @ “civil disobedience.” Please get over yourself NCAA.
dap01
April 23rd, 2009
1:01 pm
Civil Disobediance? Perhaps the NCAA is too full of itself.
The young guy is already committed to UGA, it’s a graduation.
How dare the AJC actually question anything. Get a life NCAA. My opinion on the management of the NCAA is similar to my opinions of Congress and the management of GM.
Tom
April 23rd, 2009
1:06 pm
The more you feed the beast (NCAA), the more the beast demands to be fed.
yankeedawg
April 23rd, 2009
1:13 pm
What gets my gander up is you hear nothing about the cheating and payoffs USC did with Bush and more then likely are still doing to get 5 star recruits. Mr Pickle what’s up with the Bush investigation!!!!
Dawg4Life
April 23rd, 2009
1:14 pm
If Burnette is validictorian, Mark Richt will be there. This kid deserves his 15 minutes for doing things the right way, screw bylaw 13.1.2.6.2.
Tom
April 23rd, 2009
1:26 pm
Darryl Richard was valedictorian of a larger HS in a state with better academics. He was also a finalist for the same national student-athlete award as Burnette. I don’t think anyone was urging anyone from tech to go to his graduation. Another difference between the programs.
Maybe Burnette will get to do at UGA another thing Richard did at Tech…..and something many UGA folks would love……
Serve on the search committee for a new president.
Tails from The Swamp
April 23rd, 2009
1:29 pm
Gee, when you see those NCAA advertisements with an emphasis on academics, you would think this is something they would ENCOURAGE. I guess they don’t want all these coaches suddenly showing up for kids graduations all over the country. Perhaps they view it as an intrusion and an unfair recruiting advantage. Seems like something could be worked out here because it would be nice for a little more actual recognition on the academic side, not just lip service or in a slick commercial.
AJC messing up big time!
April 23rd, 2009
1:30 pm
Carvell, we were shocked to hear that the AJC’s “big and bad” bosses removed you from the recruiting beat.. I thought Maxie would do high schools and you would handle recruiting like you did sol well. What the heck happened? What are the email addresses for the editors? Please post them. That is messed up and i want to voice my displeasure.
The Ole Ball Coach
April 23rd, 2009
1:31 pm
The NCAA is worried about a coach attending a players graduation as a Valedictorian and I note a player who is already committed and signed a LOI. Don’t make sense……. Where is the NCAA on the OSU Clarrett
and the Usc Bush cases……… in 50 years they will rule the cases are just too old…
GT '92
April 23rd, 2009
1:36 pm
All rivalry talk aside. I agree with the Bulldogs on this one. Good job Mr. Burnette. I wish you well in your academic and football endeavors, with the exception of a certain game in November.
KaliDogg
April 23rd, 2009
1:45 pm
Suggested response from the NCAA (in place of the one they made):
“UGA has requested a waiver so that Coach Richt might attend the graduation of UGA signee Chris Burnette and the waiver is in process. We see no reason why it will not be granted. Mr. Carvell’s on-line column was untimely and, unfortunately, misleading. We applaud Coach Mark Richt for his interest in the academic life of college student-athletes.”
By hedging, saying that UGA hadn’t requested a waiver AT THE TIME that Carvell wrote his post, and not mentioning that a waiver had, in fact, been requested, the NCAA misled everyone, apparently intentionally. Why not stay about the fray and focus on the important point of all this — that a coach wants to attend an athlete’s graduation to applaud his/her academic success. But no. When given the chance, they have to get down in the mud and play schoolyard you suck… no you suck…. your mama’s ugly…. and all that foolishness.
Maybe Carvell started it [he could have just suggested UGA ask for a waiver of the rule, but that wouldn't have generated nearly as much interest in his column -- hmmmmm -- interesting]. But, the right answer would have focused on UGA, academics, Coach Richt and, most important, the achievements of Chris Burnette.
KaliDogg
April 23rd, 2009
1:47 pm
Duh… should read “ABOVE the fray” — but you get the point.
Cuz
April 23rd, 2009
1:50 pm
I bet he has Pickle Tiles in his bathroom.
DawginLex
April 23rd, 2009
1:58 pm
The NCAA defending itself? That’s as good as RAMBLEON trying to convince us he is not a low life and that he never takes pot shots at 18 and 19 year old kids just because they decided to not attend Tech.
Paperboy in Newnan,Ga.
April 23rd, 2009
2:07 pm
It’s official. The AJC is dead as a newspaper. When editors no longer defend their writers opinions on an opinion-based piece such as Carvell’s then it is time to close shop. Michael has done everything asked of him. God knows this newspaper devotes more ink to college recruiting than it does to every high school sport combined … which itself is wrong, but a topic for another time. I hope upper management is happy, because you’ve destroyed your newspaper.
THWG
April 23rd, 2009
2:10 pm
Rivalry aside, this Tech fan finds it ridiculous that Coach Richt even has to be granted permission to go to this young man’s graduation. It is wonderful that he is so interested in his future players’ academic careers as well. Given all the rest of the hoodlums coaching the SEC (Kiffin, Urban, Les), I think Richt is the classiest of the bunch. He ought to go regardless of what the “big, bad” NCAA tells him.
Otto
April 23rd, 2009
2:12 pm
So the AJC and the NCAA are both misleading?…..shocking
ReptilesRule
April 23rd, 2009
2:13 pm
Yeah, Carvell was outstanding on the recruiting front. Made even all the Georgia stuff interesting to read.
Spud Webb
April 23rd, 2009
2:24 pm
Love it, I wonder if the NCAA charged some kind of 15 dollar fee for that waiver request???? I wouldn’t be surprised!!! Pickle and the NCAA are a joke, the NCAA=MONEY for nothing.
Inthetrenches
April 23rd, 2009
2:27 pm
At last something to read and write about. Bring back Carvell! It’s been pretty boring on here lately without some football to read about.Almost did not even get on here today. And when are you going to update the recruiting list? It is still filled with last years 2009 recruits, with a few 2010 sprinkled in. Spring practices are ready to start and I would like to see some new names and news! Thank you in advance…
GA Tech Insider
April 23rd, 2009
2:28 pm
I thought these were “student athletes”. If that’s the case, I’m not quite sure why the NCAA would have a problem with a Coach going to support a “student” who has achieved the highest honor possible after all commitments have been completed between Universities.
Heck, even if recruiting was still going on, I would say good for the young man, and I would hope that all of the Head Coaches would be there cheering the young man on as a shining example of that the NCAA should be praying that all of it’s incoming student athletes would be just like Chris; a great kid who excels in the classroom and in his chosen field of athletics.
urban saben
April 23rd, 2009
2:48 pm
i know the reason why because
he’s Marcht Richt…hahahaha
i can because i’m Urban..urban saben
DawgGirl32
April 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
Having trouble with spelling your name there Urban?
smydauf
April 23rd, 2009
3:01 pm
I don’t get it. If Richt wants to attend the graduation the he has to get a waiver. Makes sense to me. All the NCAA is asking for is appropriate paperwork to ensure of no undue recruiting advantage–the players signing status has no baring here. The coaches know the rules. They know the need a waiver. They know they need to apply for it in time to attend the event.
If Richt does this, he can go.
What’s the big deal?
The NCAA does some things wrong from time to time but I believe they truly have Student Athletes best interests at heart. Much ado about nothing here. Muckraking at its best.
longtimesecfan
April 23rd, 2009
3:18 pm
NCAA didnt indicate worry over coach attending grad. they
criticised carvell for attacking ncaa BEFORE richt requested waiver
or kid named valdictorian. good for ajc removing carville from
recruiting. (ncaa often needs criticism but wait til they do
wrong)
dawgfan
April 23rd, 2009
3:27 pm
GREAT POINT BY yankeedawg…NCAA should stay out of academic matters such as this and focus on the USC payment plan that all of their athletes seem to be on…HELLO…anybody there????
Pitbull
April 23rd, 2009
4:17 pm
I am glad the NCAA came down on the AJC.
AJC sports writers suck.
The AJC sucks.
I will be glad when that rag goes broke and they close it down.
Shawn McIntosh, AJC Public Editor
April 23rd, 2009
4:48 pm
One of the commenters asked about possible changes in our lineup of reporters covering high school sports and recruiting news.
In response to economic pressures, the newspaper has had to make some staff cuts. We had to eliminate the jobs of several part-timers covering prep sports and one full-timer accepted a buyout.
The new high school/recruiting lineup teams Michael Carvell and Darryl Maxie. Both have extensive experience covering high school sports and recruiting and they will work together to bring readers the best coverage we can provide. Long-time high schools editor Tim Ellerbee has a new role and will be developing plans to supplement the coverage for Friday night football and other busy times.
Darryl’s primary focus will be an online blog, where he will use his multimedia skills and entertaining approach to reach our digital audience. Michael’s primary focus will be developing exclusive news and enterprise reporting for our print edition.
We expect their work to cross platforms and serve both our print and digital readers with the premier high schools and recruiting coverage they have come to expect.
Shawn McIntosh
Public editor
civil disobedience?
April 23rd, 2009
4:52 pm
Civil disobedience? Are the NCAA by-laws now on the same level as the laws of the land? Yet another reason that the NCAA should really be replaced.
daviddawg77
April 23rd, 2009
5:05 pm
Coach Richt (AND ALL other coaches (irrespective of their sports)) SHOULD BE ABLE to attend the graduation ceremony for ANY prospective college athlete who has already signed a National Letter of Intent with that institution WITHOUT the Coach having to apply to the almighty (NCAA) for a waiver from the STUPID rule which prohibits the Coach from otherwise being free to attend the graduation ceremonies.
Robster
April 23rd, 2009
5:15 pm
Mr. Carvell,
Keep up the good work. The NCAA should be ashamed for criticizing your efforts. I love UGA, but last off season, not one word was heard from them, although Dawg after Dawg made headlines for the wrong reasons. I agree with your article, stating that CMR should acknowlege the tremendous academic accomplishments of this young man. Richt gave his word and he should honor it. If the NCAA truly cares about the education of student athletes, why is an issue such as this, a thorn in their side?
Einstein
April 23rd, 2009
6:07 pm
What more evidence do you need for abolishing the NCAA…look at the money saved.
UGA’s Mark Richt requesting waiver to attend football recruit’s graduation speech | AJC College Sports Recruiting
April 23rd, 2009
6:09 pm
[...] RELATED: NCAA criticizes AJC blog on Richt/Burnette graduation issue, questions journalists’ ‘damning com… [...]
Tokyo jacket
April 23rd, 2009
9:09 pm
The NCAA was impugned for 100s of actions it has already taken, just not on this issue. The court of public opinion heavily relies on circumstantial evidence and there is strong circumstantial evidences that the NCAA would have it’s head up it’s donkey on this one too.
I’m saying as a Tech fan that I hope the kid gets his Valedictorian, I hope Richt attends graduation, I hope there is a violation charged, and I hope there is a public outcry. I will personally write my congressman/senator if an individual from an academic institution gets penalized for supporting the VERY impressive achievements of a fine student athlete.
Finally, if any other Tech people on here rag on this kid or this school in this instance, you’re idiots and I don’t associate myself with you. I have good old fashioned hate for UGA the Saturday after November, but I hate the NCAA rules and lack of rules a lot more often.
BigMike
April 23rd, 2009
10:51 pm
It always amazes me to watch the NCAA do stupid things, but consistently get money from the backs of hard working young men.NCAA, one statement for you: Grow the F@#k up.
Joe Schmoe
April 23rd, 2009
10:53 pm
Haha, Pickle!!! How ya doin Mr. Pickle! So immature.
Sid
April 24th, 2009
12:11 am
Civil Disobedience??? Are you kidding me???
Crimson Crush
April 24th, 2009
2:01 am
Tokyo Jacket that was sort of the gist of my post on Carvell’s original article . I am not in love with the Bulldogs , Mark Richt OR the AJC . In this case though Carvell was correct and I would have to take sides with the Dawgs on this one .
The indignant response of the NCAA to the original article about the author encouraging “civil disobedience” was even MORE over the top . Are you kidding me ???? Like they are the fiat kings and their word is the unquestionable ,unassailable LAW of the land ??? Who the **** do these clowns think they are besides overpaid thieves and pencil pushers ?
If they want to get “indignant” about something how about they get off their asses and do a REAL investigation of why Reggie Bush was allowed to have his personal sports agent buy his family a home , sit in the locker room and attend practices so often he was like an assistant coach …
TommyP
April 24th, 2009
8:29 am
Yet another reason to absolutely HATE, despise, and root against the NCAA.
The only thing more disgusting than the NCAA is the fact this Pickle-idiot felt the need to respond to Carvell’s article.
I agree so often that Congress should stay away from involving themselves with sports but not in the case of the NCAA.
DBOY JONES
April 24th, 2009
8:29 am
The AJC took my comments off of the the blog. LOLOL. They hate when you tell the truth about something. I will repeat what I said then. The NCAA should piss off because they should be worrying about organizing a playoff system and getting rid of that stupid BCS system instead of commenting on a Journalist who Mark Richt is not going to listen too anyway. Mark Richt is his own man and will do the right thing by asking for a waiver 1st. Which he did on yesterday. The NCAA is a joke to me sometimes.
Mutts-R-Stupid-especially-journalism-majors
April 24th, 2009
8:40 am
Oh, this is rich for a school where the final exam for basketball players asked such difficult questions as “How many points are awarded for a 3-point shot?” Was Tony Cole an honors graduate from his high school? Was UGAY not facing the NCAA death penalty if they got caught cheating one more time on academic matters?
Zoomie
April 24th, 2009
8:57 am
Now that Mr. Carvell and Mr. Pickle have that off their chests, let’s see if the NCAA will do, what is clearly, the right thing.
tell the truth
April 24th, 2009
9:19 am
if richt were not recuiting him could you even drag him to his graduation. How many graduations does he actually attend when there is no close relationship. Just tell the truth as to why he is really going.
Rob
April 24th, 2009
9:24 am
I love the [sic] in the post. A very subtle way to be an anus to someone.
Republican: Tyson
April 24th, 2009
9:26 am
The NCAA is the only thing keeping college football from becoming another pro-type run sport. It would be paid athletes then that would drive your taxes up…so on and so on. Sure if you want your stadiums full of riff raff and thugs go ahead and kick out the NCAA. I can’t stand some of their rules, but it would no longer be college football as you know and love. It would be just another over paid (spoil athlete attitude) with no ties to your schools sitting in the stands. It would be the pro’s in virtual reality. A playoff should be installed, but getting totally rid of the NCAA would cause THUGGERY! Kind of like Obamisim.
Dave In Tampa
April 24th, 2009
10:47 am
I’d say that Pickle is in a real Pickle
Dr. Phil
April 24th, 2009
12:40 pm
Richt is a grandstanding hippo crate.
Death of Preps
April 24th, 2009
2:14 pm
In the midst of this relatively insignificant story, the fact that the AJC has completely abandoned its high school sports coverage has gone pretty much unnoticed. There has not been a word of high school sports coverage for at least a month in either print or on the web site.
Recruiting coverage, which is plentiful on the web site, is not high school coverage. The state soccer playoffs are under way and baseball will be into the post-season soon, but not a word, not even on the web site, which directs you to the GHSA’s site for scores.
The economic crisis facing newspapers is no secret. But it would be instructive if the AJC’s Public Editor would do a little research to do determine if any other metro daily in the country has completely disbanded its high school sports staff.
I’m sure we’ll see a piddly amount of football coverage in the Fall, but as for spring sports, they apparently don’t exist, at least as far as the AJC is concerned. I’m guessing the editors at the Marietta Daily Journal, Gwinnett Post and the other small metro dailies aren’t complaining about the AJC’s woes.
Horton Hears a Who
April 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
Ha! All this teeth-gnashing and the kid isn’t even the valedictorian. You ‘necks jinxed him!
Bob
April 24th, 2009
5:34 pm
Why is tis such a compelling story? Has Georgia never signed a smart football player before??
Ted Striker
April 24th, 2009
7:21 pm
Sorry, Michael, I agreed with the NCAA on this one. In this case, I thought you made a bigger deal of things than they actually were. Caveat: Had Richt petitioned for an exemption and been denied one by the NCAA, your column would have carried more weight.
That said, kudos to you for printing the NCAA response in detail. (Minus points for sounding snarky because of your “sic” “sic” critiques).
Still, you’re a very fine writer and I absolutely enjoy our opinions! This is the rare instance I thought you were on a bit of a wild goose chase on the merits of a particular column.
Chuck
April 24th, 2009
10:19 pm
What crap.
I guess it wasn’t “civil disobedience” for SoCal boosters to rent a $500,000 house for Reggie Bush, but it will be if Mark Richt attends a graduations speech of a kid who has signed to come play for him.
It really is true – the jurisdiction of NCAA enforcement only seems to apply to the Southeastern United States.
Mike
April 24th, 2009
10:39 pm
It NEEDS to apply to the Southeastern U.S., specfically the SEC teams. An aggregate of winning at any cost, plantation systems where
so-called “student”-athletes are given free rides, mororcycles, cars, women, and grades to prop-up the the sordid SEC “universities”.
Mark Richt is a phony SOB, as are most of the SEC Coaches/handlers. You alum and street fans turn your heads to the facts. Where do your players end up after their eligibility has expired? Specifically, those who do NOTmake the NFL cut. You know where: no degree in hand, thus jobs at McDonalds, the Post Office, custodial services, etc. Hmmmmmm… bright future, huh?
Diggity Dawg
April 24th, 2009
11:41 pm
“I love the [sic] in the post. A very subtle way to be an anus to someone.”
That was my favorite part, too.
Gatorman770
April 25th, 2009
12:42 pm
I can’t say anymore about the NCAA enforcement bias and lack of “fair and equal enforcement”, i.e. USC is evidently “untouchables”, that hasn’t been said above.
Keep up the good work Michael Carvell and Mark Richt go see Chris Burnette. He sounds like a great kid.
Jason
April 25th, 2009
2:22 pm
An AJC columnist lacking professionalism? I’m shocked.
IlliniDawg
April 25th, 2009
6:03 pm
When you feel you have to defend yourself with such statements, especially with hurling back accusations, it shows either insecurity or arrogance or both. All this does is make me hate and distrust the NCAA even more. They seriously are in need of a Public Relations consultant, because very few organizations are as good at self-immolation and self-destruction than the boys from Kansas City.
buzztinloose
April 25th, 2009
6:24 pm
Pickle Said:
“In his piece, Pickle also questions why the topic was publicly broached.
“My question is why matters like this generate such damning commentary from journalists who should know better.””
Let’s think about that…
#1 Pickle is the perfect name for an NCAA apologist, err- I mean publicist. Or Do I?
The NCAA is always in one pickle or another due to it’s many and varied archaic and/or ludicrous policies.
#2 Isn’t the answer to your question obvious David? Matters like this stir up such commentary against the NCAA because everyone is sick and tired of the NCAA applying LESS common sense to most matters than anyone else on the Planet except the Iranians, North Koreans, cable companies and the U.S. Congress…..
Duluth Gator
April 25th, 2009
9:09 pm
Unbelievable. You have got to be kidding me. The NCAA makes some big deal about this, while the real outlaws do what they want and nothing is done to them. It is obvious that there are certain schools that are untouchable. The NCAA is so full of crap.
bull-gator
April 26th, 2009
8:03 am
Civil disobedience! Quick, call the Department of Homeland Security, someone, please! Seems the NCAA is just another fascist agency caught up in their own self imprtance. Pickle is a first class dimwit. I hope Coach Richt thumbs his nose at these morons and attends the event. what abunch of clowns!
Tom
April 26th, 2009
9:29 am
Reading this article as well as the comments just proves how ignorant the uga fans really are. If this had been Myers or Saban the article and the comments would have been flipped around to make those two out to be the bad guys. In the end it really doesnt matter because I’m sure Florida nor Alabama would swap coaches with uga for anything.
secisfootball
April 26th, 2009
10:25 am
Ohhhhh…the poor little NCAA got their feelings hurt. The NCAA seems to believe they can make up whatever rules they want but no one can have any opinion about them at all. They are a complete joke and need to stop worrying about little thinks like this article and whether or not Richt can go to a kids graduation. I agreed with the original article and said he should go!
dgroy
April 26th, 2009
12:46 pm
We expect their work to cross platforms and serve both our print and digital readers with the premier high schools and recruiting coverage they have come to expect.
Shawn McIntosh
Public editor
I’ve seen a lot of words describing the AJC’s coverage of High School Sports in Georgia, but never the word “Premier”. Shawn, you’re delusional. Your paper is absolutely the worst at HS reporting I’ve seen. Do something quick or you’ll be gone too along with your paper.
Bill in Sandy Springs
April 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
NCAA is clearly in the wrong here. Whether or not this kid ends up in 1st or 2nd in his class, that is a huge achievement for anybody. The NCAA should have somebody smack some sense into them and let Richt go to the graduation. What’s the big deal anyway. Last year it was rumored that Tommy Bowden promised Jamie Fisher the first carry of the season to come to Clemson. Richt just wanted to go to the Burnette’s graduation where he just might be the Valedictorian. Let him go!
Keep up the good work, Michael.
shane#1
April 26th, 2009
4:27 pm
Typical NCAA arrogance. Typical stupidity of SOME fans. It’s amazing that you have flamers commenting after a blog like this. I am just waiting to see which moron will call this kid “just another thug”!
larry
April 27th, 2009
11:28 am
The NCAA has developed itself into a organization that has more rules than the US Government. They think they are beyond reproach on any issue. It take a special consultant to research all the rules issued by this org.
It may be time for someone or some group to take them head-on and have them justify all the rules and all there contracts with multi millions, that TAX FREE Org. has. The privacy that this Org. has created allows them to do almost anything they want with little or no oversite.
TrippDawg
April 27th, 2009
11:33 am
I believe Richt should attend the graduation and force the NCAA’s hand. Maybe this will prove that the NCAA is nothing more than the old USSR reincarnated
Not Disappointed
April 28th, 2009
9:32 am
<————— Loyal Jacket Fan Here! I do hope CMR is allowed to see this kid graduate. What’s the big deal anyway? I hope this kid is very sucsessful in life. Now, go take on the day! “Ramblin Wreck!”
GeezusDawg
April 28th, 2009
9:48 am
1st amendment; Carvell can write what he likes as an opinion piece. The NCAA’s skin is too thin.
chemdawg
April 28th, 2009
10:14 am
People!!! Learn to think for yourself rather than riding the wave of public sentiment against the NCAA. It’s sad that all of you are allowed to vote. Michael Carvell’s shotty journalism got called out, and the criticism totally was justified. He threw the NCAA under the bus before they even had a chance to consider the matter. It’s not as if the NCAA has an explicit rule stating that “head coaches can’t go to signees valedictorian commencement.” The rule is a general rule to prevent contact during certain blackout periods. Remember, these high school athletes are teenagers and the rules are designed to protect them from overzealous recruiting efforts (which already consumes their lives) so they can lead semi-normal teenager lives. Michael Carvell’s reporting is a classic example of the “straw man fallacy”, a cheap tactic to stir the masses.