Well, the NCAA handed down it’s punishment to the University of Southern California and to say it was harsh is an understatement.
The NCAA has in it’s own words, confirmed allegations that former USC running back and Heisman Trophy recipient Reggie Bush received illegal benefits while in the USC athletic program. His family was provided living arrangements, cars, and most notably a loan of approximately 300,000 dollars from a man named Lloyd Lake who was courting Bush in an attempt to convince him to retain him as his agent.
Bush repaid the loan quietly in court, but to this day, denies any wrongdoing.
The university however, admitted fault, but stated they are disappointed with the ruling. Are you kidding me? How about being disappointed with the staff at the university and the people surrounding this program. Don’t be disappointed with the NCAA for doing their job.
First, USC must vacate wins between 2004-2005 for playing Reggie Bush, who is now considered to have been ineligible.
Second, USC surrenders a total of 30 scholarships for three years.
and last, they are not allowed to participate in a bowl of any kind for the next two seasons.
I have a few thoughts on this, aside from the athletic director, Brad Garrett, whom will almost assuredly be fired. None of the actually guilty parties are paying the price for this. Ultimately it’s the student athletes that get hit the hardest. How convenient that as this investigation was reaching it’s final stages, former head coach Pete Carroll decided to accept the Seattle Seahawks offer to become their new head coach. The common opinion is that he knew more than he ever admitted and got out quickly.
Reggie Bush is a Super Bowl Champion, the Heisman committee is separate from the NCAA, so his trophy stays put for now. Plus, he has more money than you or I will ever have. It’s too little, too late for any kind of real retribution for his role in this.
Again, this hurts the current players the most, and the programs future sustainment. Think about QB Matt Barkley, a freshman starter for the Trojans last season. He won’t even have a chance at a National Championship until his senior season. Yes, USC will still recruit good players, but not as many, and it’s a trickle effect. Those 10 players a year that don’t go to USC will go somewhere else, and the 10 players that would have went to where those players end up will go somewhere else, and so on. Eventually, in some middle of the road program, those kids on the line of scholarship football won’t make it in. That’s 30 kids because one guy who is filthy rich took a loan. That’s a shame…
Realistically, what can the NCAA do to the guilty parties? They ultimately decided to cripple their program for the near future, which will likely be a huge deterrent to other schools.
I don’t fault Reggie Bush. Of course he’s going to take whatever perks are offered to him. Come on, do you really think he knew all the legal ins and outs? He was a 19 or 20 year old college kid. USC’s athletic department, on the other hand, has been in this game for years.
DRASHEA Imagine if Bush could stay healthy? That’s been the biegsgt issue with him. The explosiveness and talent is most certainly there, and I still think he can be a productive player just not the headlining back on a team.Thanks for dropping by hope to see you again in the future.
I agree with Robbie on the fact that we really can’t blame Bush for what was thrown at him (and keep in mind, he didn’t become filthy rich until he entered the NFL!)…he was a kid…most adults that are not lawyers don’t even know legal mumbo jumbo, much less thinking a kid knows the legalities of anything. So, ok…worst case scenario for him…he loses him Heisman. I’m sure that would be quite heartbreaking for him, but at the same time…he’s a Super Bowl Champ now…do you think he really cares about that Heisman after winning a Super Bowl?! Maybe…maybe not!
As far as the athletic director surely going to get fired…he should rightfully so, regardless of his knowledge because well, he should have that knowledge…that’s his job-to know everything that’s going on within the athletic programs…each & every one of them…which come to find out, this Bush incident is not the only wrongdoing that has been found, correct? Hasn’t just about every program at this university been busted for similar issues due to this investigation?
I don’t like the fact that the only ones that are going to suffer the consequences are the kids that were not apart of the program at the time of the wrongdoing. Why should these innocent kids who were probably still in diapers pay for the mistake? That’s an injustice, as far as I’m concerned! The NCAA should find others ways to punish universities & those involved in such incidents as this one! Not that I’m complaining that they’re not bowl contenders for the next couple of years…that’s just a personal preference, but should still not be taken out on those students who earned the right to be where they are, hopefully…I would assume that nobody else has been so careless since Bush, but if so then I would agree that they deserve what they get…you can only play stupid once…from here on out…there can no longer be excuses.
And I’m sorry, I don’t agree with Pete Carroll walking away at the right time (how convenient!)…regardless of the fact that he is no longer apart of the program when the verdict was rendered…he was at the time of this particular incident & nobody can say he wasn’t aware of what Bush was getting out of the deal to go play for them. Once again, the NCAA is not taking action upon the right people, regardless of where they are now! He should still be fined & stripped of maybe some coaching time for his role in the big scheme of this incident! But that’s just an option…they could be more clever in punishing coaches for wrongdoings. Honestly, this guy is gonna get away with everything because he knew the Judgment was about to be handed down by walking away from the school & taking another job?! Seriously?! That’s ridiculous! If innocent kids have to pay the price for losing the scholarships and the right to a bowl…this man should also pay…in some form or another! Just because he ran & hid behind another team shouldn’t give him a free pass!
Oh, and that idiot who gave Bush the money then ratted him out for not choosing him as an agent…he should be held responsible, as well. He knew what he was doing when he threw that money at Bush…he’s just being a big whiny baby! Just because you’re not apart of a program…shouldn’t get you a free pass. I know that’s easier said than done considering we’re talking about the NCAA and not a court system, but maybe if they changed some rules…they’d make a lot more money for ALL the wrongdoings (such as this incident)-who are we kidding?…Bush isn’t the only one who received a handout (he’s just the one who happened to get busted thanks to a big ninny baby who didn’t get to be Bush’s agent!)…then maybe things of this nature might slow down & certain people will think longer before they start throwing money & toys at potential players!
Call me a dreamer…I know it’ll never be like that, but just saying the NCAA should consider amending their rules!