The NCAA's double standard

[rjl]

Here is a good op/ed piece in the NYTimes regarding a double standard in NCAA enforcement.

No, not the double standard we all know and love, that existing between big name teams and smaller name ones, but the double standard that exists between penalizing schools & coaches on one hand, and players on the other. Something near and dear to our hearts after the Clevin Hannah BS last season.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/09/opinion/09nocera.html?_r=1&smid=fb-nytimes&WT.mc_id=OP-SM-E-FB-SM-LIN-NDS-040911-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click

[ShockTalk]

Unfortunately, this level and type of media, even if it is The New York Times, has no punch.

Those that do have enough punch (ESPN for example), would never push the envelope hard enough for fear of affecting their own pocketbook.

[ShockerPrez]

While I do not agree with the racial undertones of the story, as Cam Newton is also black and was not 'fairly' punished. I don't believe the NCAA is racist. I do agree with general purpose of the story. At what point is the AAU coach a friend of the player as opposed to a 'handler?' The real question is how many players that don't have division I ability are getting loans from the AAU coaches?

But I still think the NCAA is a bunch of A-holes.

[The Mad Hatter]

While I do not agree with the racial undertones of the story, as Cam Newton is also black and was not 'fairly' punished. I don't believe the NCAA is racist. I do agree with general purpose of the story. At what point is the AAU coach a friend of the player as opposed to a 'handler?' The real question is how many players that don't have division I ability are getting loans from the AAU coaches?

But I still think the NCAA is a bunch of A-holes.

Except Cam Newton's punishment, I believe, had less to do with him than with the NCAA not wanting to punish the institution. With Auburn on track for a national championship, they didn't want to break the schools run by disqualifying their star.

This is the way the NCAA works. As long as you cheat big enough to get your school in contention for a title, the NCAA will look the other way to avoid publicly humiliating a contender. Sure, they may put in a punishment long after the fact, as with USC or Memphis (and also long after the ratings and revenue from the national championship have been accrued), but they avoid hurting cheating schools in the midst of their title runs.