The Price of Success
RJ Karas
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: Sports
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This past weekend the college football season truly began as several marquee games were on tap. Before 3 p.m. Saturday, Louisville flew past Miami, Iowa raised the Cy-Hawk Trophy with a win over in-state rival Iowa State, and TCU kept their BCS aspirations alive by holding Texas Tech to three points. By the end of the day, Florida and Auburn both gained crucial wins in the fight for the South Eastern Conference, Tommy Bowden gained bragging rights over his father as Clemson stole a win in Tallahassee and Michigan did what no one thought they could do. By going into South Bend and dominating Notre Dame in every facet of the game, Lloyd Carr and the Wolverines silenced their critics, at least for this week.
Although Saturday produced several showdowns that lived up to the pre-game hype , the biggest news didn't happen on the field. Last Friday a report alleged that Reggie Bush, last year's Heisman Trophy winner with the Trojans of Southern Cal, and his family accepted over $100,000 in gifts while he was enrolled and playing football at the University of Southern California. This is the second story of the sort concerning Reggie Bush as just days before the NFL Draft speculations had Bush and his family living in a house owned by a sports agent. Though nothing came of the original story ,this second and more significant allegation brings to light a continuing trend.
Without imposing restrictions on every team in the NCAA, universities must ask the question: what is the price of success?
Coaches around the country must decide where they stand on the issue of players and their relationships with boosters and other interested parties. Twenty years ago it was common practice for athletes to receive benefits ranging from grades to cars because they decided to attend a certain university. Schools such as Miami, Oklahoma and SMU received harsh sanctions from the NCAA because of improper benefits players received.
Unfortunately, because of the competitiveness of colligate football, many programs' boosters are not happy with two- and three-loss seasons. With mounting pressure from supporters, schools such as the Miami Hurricanes are put into a difficult position. Though the Hurricanes won a national title five years ago, they haven't been near the top since. While many around the program believe that head coach, Larry Coker's job is at stake this season, he has shown that he will not alter his code of conduct for specific athletes. Prior to the season, Coker suspended several seniors indefinitely for different off-the-field incidents. Since the suspensions Miami has lost two of its first three games, including a loss to in-state rival Florida State. As Coker attempts to salvage his season he will look at the decision he made prior to the 'Canes' first game. What message does Miami University's athletic department send if they fire Coker? Although a team's players are the coach's responsibility, it would seem rather contradictory to give Coker the proverbial ax for doing what the university asked of him when he was hired.
Though the NCAA has control of sanctions for violations committed many Universities have decided that winning, at all costs, benefits an athletic program more so than rules and regulations. And because coaches and athletic directors have sold out for success, stories such as Reggie Bush and his family allegedly accepting $100,000 in gifts come to light. Whether Bush accepted money or not, this second allegation not only reflects poorly on the Heisman Trophy winner but also Southern Cal. Was Bush's head coach, Pete Carroll, aware of the alleged rules violations? That is to be determined; however, guilty or not, the story itself will put what Bush and his teammates did over the past three seasons in question. And although USC has had great success over the past three years the question will remain: what price will Pete Carroll and the Trojans pay for their success?
Although Saturday produced several showdowns that lived up to the pre-game hype , the biggest news didn't happen on the field. Last Friday a report alleged that Reggie Bush, last year's Heisman Trophy winner with the Trojans of Southern Cal, and his family accepted over $100,000 in gifts while he was enrolled and playing football at the University of Southern California. This is the second story of the sort concerning Reggie Bush as just days before the NFL Draft speculations had Bush and his family living in a house owned by a sports agent. Though nothing came of the original story ,this second and more significant allegation brings to light a continuing trend.
Without imposing restrictions on every team in the NCAA, universities must ask the question: what is the price of success?
Coaches around the country must decide where they stand on the issue of players and their relationships with boosters and other interested parties. Twenty years ago it was common practice for athletes to receive benefits ranging from grades to cars because they decided to attend a certain university. Schools such as Miami, Oklahoma and SMU received harsh sanctions from the NCAA because of improper benefits players received.
Unfortunately, because of the competitiveness of colligate football, many programs' boosters are not happy with two- and three-loss seasons. With mounting pressure from supporters, schools such as the Miami Hurricanes are put into a difficult position. Though the Hurricanes won a national title five years ago, they haven't been near the top since. While many around the program believe that head coach, Larry Coker's job is at stake this season, he has shown that he will not alter his code of conduct for specific athletes. Prior to the season, Coker suspended several seniors indefinitely for different off-the-field incidents. Since the suspensions Miami has lost two of its first three games, including a loss to in-state rival Florida State. As Coker attempts to salvage his season he will look at the decision he made prior to the 'Canes' first game. What message does Miami University's athletic department send if they fire Coker? Although a team's players are the coach's responsibility, it would seem rather contradictory to give Coker the proverbial ax for doing what the university asked of him when he was hired.
Though the NCAA has control of sanctions for violations committed many Universities have decided that winning, at all costs, benefits an athletic program more so than rules and regulations. And because coaches and athletic directors have sold out for success, stories such as Reggie Bush and his family allegedly accepting $100,000 in gifts come to light. Whether Bush accepted money or not, this second allegation not only reflects poorly on the Heisman Trophy winner but also Southern Cal. Was Bush's head coach, Pete Carroll, aware of the alleged rules violations? That is to be determined; however, guilty or not, the story itself will put what Bush and his teammates did over the past three seasons in question. And although USC has had great success over the past three years the question will remain: what price will Pete Carroll and the Trojans pay for their success?
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