Usually the first post of the season is about coaching changes, BCS changes and my predictions for the season. But not this year. This has been an off-season of scandals that I must vent about.
College football seems to be planning its own demise...one embarrassing, measly, lying scandal at a time. Lies, drugs, bar fights, and of course - money (lots of it). No school seems safe. Every alumni and fan is on edge hoping thier school is not next...knowing deep down inside they wouldn't be one bit surprised if it was. Auburn is still being investigated, Oregon is under scrutiny, OSU confessed to mis-deeds and now Miami. Even Boise State is under investigation for allowing recruits to sleep on the couches of existing players (who made that idiotic rule?). Every school is no doubt watching their boosters, shadowing players, and is on pins and needles every time a player walks into the public eye. And who is overseeing all of these fiascoes? The death-by-committee-meeting, can't-make-a-decision, don't-want-to-lose-any-money NCAA. So, it's all bound to be worked out "soon".
First, there was the Fiesta Bowl scandal. And apparently that involved more money than all other recent scandals combined. We didn't trust BCS folks before and this doesn't help their cause any. (Not that their cause has any chance whatsoever, anyway).
Then there was Toomer's Trees. There has always been fan violence and the occasional serious injury. But what happened at Toomer's Corner is a disgrace and there is no place in college footbal for any such fan. Go ahead - smack talk on blogs, paint your colors on your rivals' logo, make a t-shirt with a clever slogan, date your rival's cheerleader, etc. But killing your rivals landmark? That's insane, stupid and just plain wrong. Lock him up.
Then Ohio State (Tattoo U) hands college football a big black-eye. The oft-admired, soft-spoken Tressel took the Ohio State "Black-Eyes" and their storied program to a new college football low. Thanks, Tressel, for putting your mark on college football and providing plenty of fodder for those who dis-like college sports.
Miami...now that's another story. No backing out of that one or hiding away. When the booster confesses just take your sanctions and hope you can get back on your winning ways before the soon-to-be mega conferences refuse to even look at you. Yahoo! Sports said it well in their initial coverage of the Miami scandal (read it here).
And speaking of conferences: All this conference realignment is about money. Hopefully, some of that money will one day be partially in the hands of players in some form or fashion (better scholarships, training, post-college assistance, etc.). Even goody-goody BYU going independent is about money: no more sharing the bowl money, a big-time TV deal with ESPN, and world-wide broadcasting on BYUtv to bring in more money.
So what should the NCAA do?
They should bring integrity back to college sports - whatever the cost. It won't be easy and won't be popular but it is the right thing to do. Here are a few suggestions.
1. Cut and Cap: Coaches salaries are out of control in an industry where the "stars" are paid next to nothing (room, board, tuition). Cut and cap their salaries and give the excess back to the players (better scholarships, better facilities, finishing their degree. etc.).
2. Be the Boss: Make the rules (rules that matter), increase the fines, dish out the punishment, and if they don't like it then they can go elsewhere. It's not fair for the schools who stick to the rules to play against those who don't. Set the standard and fine the violators...like there is no tomorrow. Until the punishment outweighs the benefit of cheating then rules will continue to be broken.
3. Act Fast: Periodic, drawn-out investigations do nothing. Bowl games have been won (or lost) and entire seasons have passed while your investigations have been underway, allowing the guilty players and coaches to move on the NFL, leaving their successors to suffer the punishments. The price of breaking the rules must be high and payment must be quick.
ENDZONE
But, it's late August, school is in session and that means it is time for the greatest sport to begin. Ignore the media (haven't we all had enough?) and set aside the problems of the past eight months and let's focus on what we really like about the sport: the traditions, the amazing athletes, the big plays. No other sport compares to college football - let's not allow the media to ruin the season before it even starts. Play on...