UGA withholding comment until later today on Penn State ruling
Like everybody else I suppose, I was fascinated and a bit overwhelmed by the news out of Penn State this morning. Jeff Schultz offered his opinion on the ruling and people have been commenting on it on AJC.com all day.
When this whole sordid story first broke, I wasn’t sure if the NCAA would weigh in or whether it would even have the authority to do so. Obviously we found out the answer to that with this morning’s stern rulings.
To summarize, Penn State was:
- Fined $60 million (approximate amount of one year’s football revenue), which will be used to endow a fund for child sex victims;
- Given a four-year bowl ban;
- Had 40 scholarships taken away over four years;
- Vacated wins since 1998;
- Gave current Penn State players permission to transfer without losing eligibility.
Penn State signed a consent form accepting all the terms, so that is pretty much that.
Obviously, sanctions of this magnitude will have far-reaching effects. It is sure to change the safeguards and checks and balances utilized at all major college sports programs in the country. UGA already does a very extensive background check on all the sports professionals it hires. That’s why there’s often a delay between the time we hear about imminent hires and when they’re actually announced.
Only minutes after the ruling was handed down, I contacted Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity to get his thoughts and observations on the situation. He declined comment until later this evening when he’ll address reporters at the Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club meeting at Cobb Galleria (5:30 p.m. social hour, 7 p.m. program). Same thing for head coach Mark Richt, who actually declined comment about the whole affair this past week at SEC Football Media Days. So check back for their comments tonight.
In the meantime, I’ve already been asked if I thought any of Penn State’s players might consider transferring to Georgia. Obviously the Bulldogs don’t bump into Penn State in recruiting very often. However, Deoin Barnes, a defensive end from Philadelphia, chose the Nittany Lions over Georgia in 2011 and was redshirted this past season. I hope you’ll forgive me but I don’t think feel it would be appropriate to contact Barnes or any other Penn State players for a while. But it is going to be interesting to see how this thing plays out.
NCAA President Mark Emmert said the executive committee considered giving Penn State the death penalty but in the end chose not to. I’m not so sure.
What do you think?
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88 comments Add your comment
shankit
July 23rd, 2012
3:02 pm
Gonna be hard, demoralizing for the Penn State players going into
somewhere like Columbus, where their values and morals are so high.
flo-ri-duh
July 23rd, 2012
3:03 pm
If I was a player at Penn State I would have been already looking around. UGA was recruiting a TE that committed to Penn State and I think he was the #1 rated TE in the country. He is from Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh “U” should really be after these guys, I feel sorry for the players still on the team but they can transfer without penalty; however if they are jrs. or srs it may be to late for them to transfer academically since you usually have to be at the school you graduate from your last two years.
falcon fred
July 23rd, 2012
3:04 pm
Next trip for Mr. Emmert should be to Athens, GA. 50 arrests should be worth some sort of penalty(s). Lack of institutional control. Smart people would say yes.
Old Dawg
July 23rd, 2012
3:07 pm
O-lineman. If they wanna come, they should be welcome with open arms.
And, if they were accepted at Penn State, their academics are pretty good (at least it’s been that way in the past).
This is worse than the death penalty, though I was in favor of it. This is a Branding/PR nightmare that won’t go away.
old dog
July 23rd, 2012
3:09 pm
@DawginLex,
Respectfully, I ain’t worried ’bout the size of the line…..just if they can block! (Refering to your comment about the size of Penn-State limemen.) Our o-line (against the better teams) is gonna be exposed like your back-side in a hospital gown! They can get better, but this year they our our achilles-heel. I don’t care how many we send to the pro’s, they have a hard time as a unit. Hopefully it will get better, but to compete with ‘Bama and LSU, we need help now!
Abnerish
July 23rd, 2012
3:18 pm
I sure hope we look to PSU to help fill our scholarship gaps. We would be stupid not to. Especially at OL.
JB
July 23rd, 2012
3:26 pm
Mark and McGarity would say ” we are fine. We need not look at PSU for any possible help at positions we are low on. We would advise these young men to honor their commitment………GEEZ.
Penn St Lineman
July 23rd, 2012
3:27 pm
Of course I want to go the the most irrelevent program in the SEC.
JB
July 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Tech is in the ACC, Penn St lineman, just so you’ll know.
P_The_Ricker
July 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
Opportunity of a lifetime for both UGA and OL & DBs from PSU to transfer to UGA w/out having to sit out a year.
Opportunity of a lifetime for both parties!!
People criticizing the size of the PSU OL and no apparent need by UGA obviously don’t understand the concept of depth and the fact that UGA is presenlty operating at a roster of only 69.
Jville Dawg
July 23rd, 2012
3:34 pm
I don’t get where everyone keeps saying the NCAA was weak with what they did or that it doesn’t punish those directly involved. Well how could they?
Sandusky is on trial and will get his through the legal system
Joe Pa is dead
The President was asked to resign along with other board members who were aware.
60 mil isn’t a small chunk of change, not to mention the money they’re going to lose in merchandising revenue – don’t really see anyone rushing out to buy Penn St gear anytime soon. The bowl sanctions are going to cost them addtional revenue annually, and with only 15 ships per year for the next 4 years – they may not have been given the death penalty, but they are in critical condition and on life support.
I think the NCAA did what it could to hammer the school without destroying the players’ careers in the process. I like the fact that for once the NCAA thought of the players. Great move in allowing them to transfer if they choose without having to sit out or lose eligibility.
I’m usually a pretty harsh critic of the NCAA but in this instance I think if punishment was to be handed down it was firm and fair to all those concerned.
Anyway – While we’re all caught up in the hoopla surrounding this, I hope everyone that reads this will take a moment and say a prayer for the victims and their families. Their pain and suffering should not get lost in any of this, because after all THEY are the ones that really matter in all of this. I personally think the families should have been allowed to meet with NCAA and have a hand in the deciscion making process regarding the punishment. Afterall it would be hard to argue with whatever punishment the families of the victims came up with and would put to rest all the controversy, but like most things where a governing body is concerned, common sense rarely prevails.
Ted Striker
July 23rd, 2012
3:42 pm
My alma mater does not need to be known as an institution that poaches players because of tragedy. That’s foul tasting to my sensibilities.
Now…if a kid announces his intent/desire/interest in leaving Penn State, maybe you contact him if you want him. To find out if his interest is mutual. However the kid has to make it known he wants to go elsewhere.
Otherwise your integrity is lacking.
Orl Dawg
July 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm
Penn State usually doesn’t have DB’s who can compete in the SEC; however, they always have smart, fundamentally sound, hard-working O-lineman. UGA should target a few of those. Redd is a very good RB that would bolster our depth and he could make an instant impact. I would like to see the Dawgs give him a look as well.
DawgDays
July 23rd, 2012
3:47 pm
Chip I agree that UGA doesn’t bump into Penn State recruits often, but the pipeline may be greased better than in the past with John Thomas coming from Joe Pa’s staff to be our strength and conditioning coordinator. Not sure what the rules are on coaches contacting the Penn State players, but we have as good of a connection with Thomas as anybody it would seem!
bucket
July 23rd, 2012
3:48 pm
We just need to let this thing play out over the next week. I’m sure some of the better players are examining options and I am sure a certain S&C coach @ UGA will be in the loop if some of them start looking elsewhere. This COULD be a silver lining in having a few scholies open right now.
GT Alum
July 23rd, 2012
3:58 pm
falcon fred -
The problem with claiming lack of institutional control is that the school is punishing and dismissing these guys, even pulling back offers. While I don’t believe it’s all attributable to the Athens police and Richt/UGA being so tough, it’s hard to say there’s a lack of control when the offenders are being punished.
As many folks have pointed out, it’s not like these are kids that other schools are not recruiting saying these guys are liabilities for their off-field behavior. It’s almost like they think they can get away with more stuff at UGA.
Withholding Statement
July 23rd, 2012
4:17 pm
See ya at the social hour.
AltamahaDawg
July 23rd, 2012
4:18 pm
That’s not a very thought out argument that being low on player is the equivalent of having scholarships limited.
The first most obvious difference is that UGA is actually going to use the room to recruit MORE player next year, so the long term affect is no even comparable.
Secondly, the NCAA doesn’t go to the penalized team and ask “which player would you like to cut loose, starting at the bottom”. Obviously , nobody wants to be low in numbers, but when they were player that were questionable contributors, (as with Georgia) that’s the one to be without. In PSU’s case, the numbers are spread out over good, bad, and ugly. “Limited” to 65, means they have 65 including those that might not work out and leave too. Nobody is ever going to say “we are better off without that guy” in thier case.
Withholding Statement
July 23rd, 2012
4:23 pm
Jarvis Jones transferred from Southern California
in a somewhat similar probation situation.
G.P. Burdell
July 23rd, 2012
4:27 pm
So do you think the NCAA will distribute the $60M to the victims/families? I think not, but would be appropriate.
AltamahaDawg
July 23rd, 2012
4:30 pm
well not exactly. Jones couldnt get medical clearance to play for USC, and transfered. And had to use a RS year, not immediate.
Really?
July 23rd, 2012
4:31 pm
I heard saban loaded a bama pickup truck with hookers/boosters daughters and cash and is on his way to happy valley.
Ole Big Dawg
July 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm
Falcon Fred…you make yourself look silly…things are being taken care of the right way in Athens Ga
KD
July 23rd, 2012
4:46 pm
At this stage in the year, I woul think that most players transferring will probably sit out a year to get accustomed to the play book. With UGA only having 69 scholarship players and with the Senior class we have and possibly losing a lot of Juniors to the NFL, UGA might be near the death penaty without doing anything wrong, except recruiting correctly !!
AltamahaDawg
July 23rd, 2012
4:48 pm
In related news, several 3rd string football players at the University of Alabama suddenly developed unexplained medical ailments this morning.
AltamahaDawg
July 23rd, 2012
4:50 pm
what juniors are you guessing will leave?
pete van weird
July 23rd, 2012
4:51 pm
So much nonsense. What do we do next, punish the catholic church for the transgressions of a few? Please.
MYDawg
July 23rd, 2012
5:06 pm
AAll o the sudden the hiring of Penn States strength coach looks genius!
50 arrests in 4 years
July 23rd, 2012
5:08 pm
Saw the 50 arrests thing thrown around on this thread. Once again, I will ask for documentation, or will assume you are either ignorant in this area, or are just trying to run down UGA with false information.
Frank Lane
July 23rd, 2012
5:25 pm
I think that their victories for 1982 should be vacated and UGA declared the National Champ that year. Sandusky was there then I think.
RedBone
July 23rd, 2012
5:40 pm
So are we the 1981 National Champs now?
Scott
July 24th, 2012
12:26 am
Harsh? Maybe..maybe not enough. Personally think they should’ve permanently disbanded the football program for years. To all those who turned a blind eye with an eye on the exploitive ‘business’ of college ball- should have banned them being involved in college or any sports ever again. Really? You have the guts to say it was too harsh? Tell that to the victims..sorry about your revenue loss. What a scum bag along with everyone who was complicit. So Sorry you can’t reap endowments from a bunch Of good old boys who could give a hoot about education. What a joke, id be ashamed of going to a school better known for its sports than its academics. Omg think of all the lost tailgating and beer consumption ..seriously it’s a game, get a grip. And then get an education from a school that values education more than its football program. We should bring the scarlet letter back as a tattoo for the whole football dept. staff, of course they all knew. Disgusting, deplorable.
Keith
July 24th, 2012
7:12 am
No Comment-
Keith
July 24th, 2012
7:13 am
I dont have a comment now but I will have at 5pm after I “lawyer up”
Joe
July 24th, 2012
7:15 am
Its really ashame we didnt play PSU in a bowl game, we could have made ourselves feel better with geting a win over a top 20 team. WOW- that would have made Murray look a bit better since more than likely it would have been an interception he threw that was the difference.
KJ
July 24th, 2012
7:13 pm
“Saw the 50 arrests thing thrown around on this thread. Once again, I will ask for documentation, or will assume you are either ignorant in this area, or are just trying to run down UGA with false information.”
Ignorance and false information from the trolls? Well I never….
Butter Bean Floyd
July 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
So what if UGA were able to land some Penn State players? Our inept coaching staff wouldnt be able to coach”em up anyway!
amanda
July 29th, 2012
11:08 pm
Batting Cages