UGA’s McGarity: NCAA ruling against Penn State ‘a gut check for everybody’

AJC columnist Jeff Schultz was at the Cobb Galleria covering Monday night’s Greater Atlanta Bulldog Club meeting, now known as UGA Day. Here’s A  LINK to Jeff’s column from that affair. Below are some of the comments he got from the Georgia leaders on the Penn State sanctions handed down earlier today by the NCAA:

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR GREG McGARITY (to media before the main event):

McGarity said that he and his senior staff, about five or six people, studied the Freeh report when it came out to make sure they weren’t missing anything as it related to Georgia.

Reaction to penalties:

“I think it’ll take 48 to 72 hours to digest everything. I’m interested to read the documents to see all the information that’s there, other than just the high points. Like the president of Oregon State said, this like a gut check for everybody to make sure their house is in order. In all situations like this, whether it’s this or Southern Cal, it’s lessons learned.”

Was NCAA within its rights to rule on this issue?

“Yes. The executive board, you could hear it was the same consistent message there from the board and Dr. Emmert. … There’s several areas of NCAA rule book that talks about ethics, talks about reporting violations, and whether that’s a violation of NCAA rules or just basic principles of life…”

On whether Georgia will pursue Penn State players:

“I’m sure there were some young man who were recruited by Georgia as well as every other school in the country. I’m sure it will be active both ways as far as these young men who may or may not want to stay. But it hasn’t even been 24 hours. So it’s maybe jumping the gun for individuals to be assuming things are going to happen. Penn State will huddle with their young men. They’re still going to play obviously. There’s some restrictions but it’s not like they’re canceling the football season.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH MARK FOX (to media)

Reaction to Penn State ruling:

“There’s some serious offenses there. We’re talking about crimes against children. Let’s just hope – and there’s no comparison here, because the offenses are different – but will the NCAA be as stiff as people who cheat to get a competitive advantage. For them to get involved in this, it’s groundbreaking.”

On whether NCAA President Mark Emmert was acting similar to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell:

“I’ll say this: Roger Goodell is the one commissioner who’s not afraid to penalize his stars, he’s not afraid to say, ‘This is how it’s gonna be.’ I have a lot of respect for how he operates on the whole. It’s what leaders are supposed to do.”

FOOTBALL COACH MARK RICHT

On whether the Bulldogs will pursue Penn State players:

“It’s pretty well-documented that we’re under our 85[-scholarship] limit,” Richt said. “We’ll try to get in touch with some of these young men and see if they’re interested. . . . We do have some space available and if somebody fits a need and they’re excited about coming we would look into that possibility. There may not be anybody. But we’re at least going to explore.”