What's the holdup? BCS came prepared, NCAA you're on the clock

What’s the holdup? BCS came prepared, NCAA you’re on the clock

Submitted by Charlie on May 21, 201052 Comments

It seems as if the BCS has a contingency plan to deal with the USC scandal all along. While the NCAA dragged their feet for 6 years uncovering what took Yahoo! Sports 8 months to discover, the BCS actually met back in 2007 and drew up a a policy calling for teams’ BCS appearances and BCS titles to be vacated when major rules violations subsequently are discovered and the institutions are sanctioned by the NCAA. Current BCS executive director Bill Hancock confirmed the provision Wednesday to USA Today.

This might be the only legitimate college football championship ring from 2004

The actual policy reads:

“When the NCAA or a conference makes a finding of violations … and imposes a sanction of forfeiture or vacation of contests in which an ineligible student-athlete participated, we will presume that vacation of participation in a BCS bowl game is warranted.”

There is simply no doubt if the NCAA finds Bush in violation of NCAA rules, the Trojan’s 2004 national championship would be forfeited under such a policy considering the pivotal role Bush played during that season.

Keep in mind that the NCAA probe in fact centers not only on Reggie Bush and the football program, but the OJ Mayo scandal and the basketball program as well. But if the resignation of the head basketball coach Tim Floyd and self-imposed penalties including forfeiting 21 wins doesn’t imply guilt, then I don’t know what does.

The evidence against the football program and Reggie Bush is equally damning.

Originally written back in a 2008 article:

In 1987, Southern Methodist University, a WAC conference team was handed the NCAA ‘death penalty’ because 21 players received approximately $61,000 in cash payments from a booster while they were on probation for another violation. The penalty was downright shocking. A loss of 55 new scholarships over 4 years, loss of 3 coaching positions for 2 years, cancellation of the 1987 season and a limit of only 7 games (all on the road) for the 88′ season, and a 2 year bowl, TV ban. The consequences of the penalty was so severe that the school voluntarily canceled the 88′ season as a lost cause.

Now fast forward to 2010. 23 years after the dreaded SMU ‘death penalty’, the NCAA is faced with yet another possible headache. After an eight month investigation by Yahoo! Sports, it has been revealed that USC Heisman winning running back Reggie Bush has been receiving improper benefits during the 2 years he attended the university, 1 of which when they won the national championship. This was not one isolated incident where Reggie Bush was given money, but a 2 year long history of improper benefits for Reggie as well as his immediate family members. Documented records show:

$595.20 in round-trip airfare from San Diego to Oakland in November 2005 for Bush’s stepfather, LaMar Griffin, his mother, Denise Griffin and younger brother to attend the USC-California game at Berkeley. The fees were charged to the credit card of Jamie Fritz, an employee of Ornstein. The document detailing the charges was provided by Lee Pfeifer, an estranged business associate of Ornstein’s.
$250.65 for limousine transportation from the Oakland airport to the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco that November weekend for the Bush family, charged to Fritz, according to a document. Ornstein acknowledged both he and Bush’s family stayed at the luxury hotel.
Suits for Bush’s stepfather and brother to wear during the Dec. 10, 2005 Heisman ceremony in New York, a makeover for his mother for the event and limousine transportation;
Weekly payments of at least $1,500 to the Bush family.
$623.63 for a hotel stay by Bush at the Venetian Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from March 11-13, 2005, charged to Michaels, according to a document signed by Bush.
$1,574.86 for a stay by Bush at the Manchester Hyatt in San Diego from March 4-6, 2005, paid for by Michaels, according to a hotel document, a hotel employee and a source.
Approximately $13,000 to Bush from New Era to purchase and modify a car, three sources said.
As reported by Yahoo! Sports in April, $54,000 in rent-free living for a year at Michaels’ $757,500 home in Spring Valley, Calif., according to Michaels and San Diego attorney Brian Watkins.
Also from previous Yahoo! reports, $28,000 from Michaels to help Bush’s family settle pre-existing debt, according to Michaels and Watkins.
Thousands of dollars in spending money to both Bush and his family from the prospective agents, according to multiple sources.

So why the hold up? This has been in the news and even redocumented in the book ‘Tarnished Heisman’ in even greater detail and Reggie Bush still cannot be forced to talk. The NCAA isn’t exactly a beacon of consistency when it comes to handing out sanctions for similar crimes which is also why the outcry of anger from fans across the country alleging bias by the NCAA towards USC and protecting their modern dynasty. Such allegations may actually be based on some truth.

In 1989, Oklahoma State was levied with a 2 year TV ban, 3 year bowl ban, and loss of 5 new scholarships for 3 years for 1 athlete receiving cash payments and a sports car at no cost during his first 2 years with the team.

Then in 1996, Florida State was given no sanctions when players were taken by prospective agents on a documented $6000 shopping spree at Foot Locker including dinner outings and small cash payments. The difference? The NCAA found little evidence of the school’s knowledge or participation during the violations.

Well that makes sense, Florida State knew nothing of the violations when they happened if they found no evidence of it many of you will say. Well, in USC’s case, it is well known that sports agents wander Heritage Hall where USC’s athletics offices are located:

according to a Los Angeles Times story that documented the rampant presence of agents at USC during the 2005 season.In January, according to the Times, USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel surveyed the lobby outside the football offices and saw more than a dozen unfamiliar faces.

Furthermore, sources told Yahoo! Sports that representatives of a fledging marketing firm from which Bush and his family allegedly received improper benefits were allowed in the USC locker room during the 2005 season.

Sources also said USC running backs coach Todd McNair knew of Bush’s involvement with the marketing firm before last season’s national championship game against Texas.

So once again I ask. WHAT’s THE HOLDUP?

NCAA by-law 12.3.1.2 states that an athlete shall be deemed ineligible if he or she accepts benefits from agents or marketing representatives. The rule further states that student-athletes, their family or friends cannot receive benefits or loans from agents. Additionally, NCAA by-law 12.1.2.1.6 states that athletes cannot receive preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual’s athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless such treatment, benefits or services are specifically permitted under NCAA legislation.

The rules are clear, there is obviously financial records available if Yahoo! Sports can find them, how is the NCAA unable to find sufficient evidence of wrongdoing? I am not rooting for the death penalty (though because they are not already under probation, it does not apply), but I am asking for a fair sanction, any sanction to be handed down. Why should anyone be bent up over something that happened a few years ago? Because while everyone had to win by the rules, USC reaped the benefits of an athlete being pampered and basically paid during his years at USC. He may single handedly be the reason why they won some of the games they did, Fresno State 05′, Notre Dame 05′, etc. So while everyone was running the marathon in their standard sneakers, USC took a taxi to the finish line. So you better bet that I’m pissed and want blood.

The stalling tactic employed by the NCAA is embarrassing. It seems as if everyone has seen this coming for years now, including the BCS. When both the football and basketball programs are allowed to deteriorate to the point of being investigated for 2 major NCAA violations, one has to wonder how the NCAA defines ‘lack of institutional control’. The fallout has already cost Tim Floyd his job, and 21 vacated wins, all before the NCAA even concluded their investigation.

At this point anything but dropping the hammer on the Trojan program would undermine the credibility of the NCAA organization itself.

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psudevon

Great write-up of the situation. Frankly, I don't think vacating a title is nearly enough. Who gives a damn, really, about the past. The only way this wrong can be righted is by banning USC from post-season play or taking away scholarships. If the NCAA had any balls, they'd suspend the entire athletic department for one year, since the AD, Garrett, has been one of the biggest culprits behind this whole thing.
The Mailman

While Michaels and Lake claim that they began providing Bush and his family with benefits in November 2004, I have yet to see of any evidence of any transactions before the spring of 2005. The NCAA is possibly trying to determine when Bush received the benefits and was thus ineligible. The evidence I've seen so far warrants the NCAA stripping the wins from the 12-1 2005 season but not any wins from the 2004 BCS Championship season.
Nathan G

Totally unfair comparison. Big difference from getting money from a booster and getting money from a wanna be agent who is paying you in hopes of getting you to leave the school. That's what makes this issue so complicated is at what point do you stop holding the school responsible. USC had absolutely nothing to do with the money Bush got. In fact, the money actually hurt USC because they would've loved to had him come back for his senior year.
You're clearly just a sad little Trojan hater. If you're going to punish schools if their players receive any benefits from agents or would-be-agents, then I'd be willing to bet the farm that you'd have to punish every single school that has ever had a first round draft pick. These athletes are worth millions and everyone knows it and wants a piece.
Eat Turds

“Totally Unfair” You sound like a little bit@h. Face it Condom. He took the money, and “everyone Know it”
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Common now, name calling is unnecessary. But the I bet everyone does it defense is ridiculous. The nation watched as Pete Carroll ran his practices and programs like a loose ship and even fans who have visited their open practices are aware of the presence of agents who are around these players even in Heritage Hall. So by claiming they knew nothing about it, does that not perfectly define lack of institutional control?
psudevon

It wasn't until this past March that USC banned agents and “financial advisers” from practices. Mike Garrett and Pete Carroll knew EXACTLY what was going on, and they encouraged it. You can't just look at these continually improper situations and say it's just coincidence. Bush, Mayo, McKnight–this stuff doesn't happen anywhere else other than USC. That defines “institutional” to me.

Look at Dwayne Jarrett's apartment situation, when it was paid for by a booster–the USC people know exactly how much money he is allotted for off-campus housing and that he was going way over.

Robert

Charlie,

That is one hell of a stretch to call Leinart’s father a “Booster”. You and the other fool make it sound like some rich alum just gave money to Jarrett so Jarrett can stay in a posh apartment. But in reality, daddy Leinart was just taking care of his son and his son invited Jarrett over. In the end, it ended up hurting Jarrett’s family financially to pay the expenses when free USC housing was available. So according to your kind, Jarrett’s family suffers financially on a technical mistake and now USC is supposed to be punished as well. Dude, get a clue!
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Look, as much as you want to spin it, I simply put the NCAA bylaws and definitions out there. In fact, Leinarts father is in fact defined as a booster under NCAA bylaws. Whether Jarrett ended up being hurt in the long run by his actions does not negate the fact that rules were broken when he was provided free housing regardless of whether he paid the money back afterwards. This is a game of spin and at the end, I simply quoted the actual definition of the term “booster” per NCAA and the bylaws that is listed in the rule book. Name calling won’t make his actions any less illegal and when Jarrett was forced to “pay back” back rent to Leinart’s father it clearly indicated guilt. So I really don’t know what you are trying to defend here.
Robert

Charlie,

Well, my initial response was to psudevon. Whether or not Leinart’s dad is considered a booster or not IS NOT THE POINT. psudevon commented on a “booster” that provided Jarrett with free housing. In this case, you name Leinart’s father and not just call him a nameless booster. A nameless booster implies so rich alum throwing money at an athlete.

“when Jarrett was forced to “pay back” back rent to Leinart’s father it clearly indicated guilt.” Yeah, and the NCAA took away Jarrett’s eligiblity for a day or so until is was shown a payment was made to Leinart’s father. So yeah, Jarrett was “guilty” of a MINOR TECHNICALITY. If it wasn’t a MINOR TECHNICALITY the NCAA wouldn’t have re-established Jarrett’s egilibility. So why do people like psudevon harp over a MINOR TECHNICALITY? Make him sound like a crybaby. Most football fans of even USC rival schools let the Jarrett incident pass since it really wasn’t a big deal.

Arguing about Reggie Bush is one thing. Bringing up the Jarrett incident is just stupid.

I remember back in the 2000 season when PSU used a QB that was guilty of beating a off-duty cop in a bar. Instead of suspending him (like they should have), they played him. That was a far greater injustice than Jarrett living with his teammate in a upscale apartment.

http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Being from the LA area, USC is well known for their open practices. Fans and basically anyone show up to watch the Trojans run drills. It's as if Penn State encouraged anyone and everyone to watch them practice in the fenced off fields next to Holuba Hall. It wasn't until this year in response to impending NCAA sanctions that the policy is being changed

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/201…

And @The Mailman is right, the question now is when these violations actually took place. During the 2004 championship run, or the 2005 season.
psudevon

We're asking different questions. As a football fan, I wouldn't care if you made them “vacate wins.” That's meaningless. I care about future punitive actions, so it wouldn't matter when Bush took the improper gifts, or if they affected the 2004 championship.
Rational Person

First of all, Reggie Bush NEVER received compensation from an agent. His family NEVER ever received compensation from an agent. Agents are registered professionals. Michaels is NOT a registered agent. The rule only applies to registered agents and marketing representatives.

Second of all, the question effecting USC is institutional control. This means did the university, or should the university, have known about the payments. How many universities audit the bank records of family members of their student athletes? Failure to do so does not constitute institutional control.

If you think this is a technicality, let me ask you a question. What tactical benefit did USC get from this whole mess? USC did not pay anyone to come to their school rather than a rival school. The payments did not make the team faster or stronger. USC won the games in 2004 fair and square. Any penalty against USC would be based on a technicality.

Nate Dogg

Payments to players and an environment that allows it encourages those top players to pick that school over another school where they abide by the rules. Registered or not, who cares, Bush was getting paid money that he would not have received if he wasn’t a player at USC.

NOGrayArea

Did you even read the material? SC allowed Bush to take an “internship” with convicted mail fraudster/agent Mike Ornstein, who paid (at the very least) for his family's travels. Fail.

'technicality' — LOL. Some call them 'rules'.
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Talk about technicalities. All it takes is a post graduate degree, a $1000 agent fee, and successfully passing a 60 question exam to become a registered agent.
The Truth

Let's not forget that Winston Justices family got a nice paid euro vacation back a few years, Booty's family also had a nice house for them, and Jarrett stayed rent free courtesy of Bob Lionhart, etc,etc,etc…….It's been going on for years and believe me the coaching staff knew about it.

Going to a SUC practice and looking in their parking lot was like going to a Land Rover dealership.

Cheaters
Patrick

this is all so stupid. everyone smells blood and sees it as a chance to screw USC over. face it people, Bush would have been at USC regardless of all this, period. Bush left for the NFL at his first chance. You guys are really still just pissed that USC was that good for that long and you don't have the balls to stomach it. And now, your solutions… Ruin the collegiate careers of student athletes who had NOTHING to do with any of this whatsoever. HA, its ridiculous to me how people only think about what's best for them. I hope each and every one of your programs gets found out that some deuche gave a player some kind of benefit. You would ALL be singing to a different toon.
Ken

This whole technicality sounds a lot like Clinton…I didn't have sex with that woman…technically
tom

What is the difference between a booster and an agent? Are either one considered an employee of the institution??

I agree it is hard to police everbody and anyone, but it just seems people are looking to deliniate agent from booster, and I don't see the difference. Aren't benefits, benefits??
tom

Because the financial gains did not lure Bush to the school they should be overlooked? What about all the other collegiate athletes that WERE drummecd out of school for taking benefits?

Also, if we are mostly concerned about not penalizing the student atheletes that are above board (rightfully so), the NCAA, as they hand down their ruling, agree to lift one of their other rules to so no student athletes are unduly penalized….. From the day the sactions are announced, players have 45 days to choose if they will stay or go. Players who stay get to play for the school they chose to attend, and players who chose to leave can play next year at their new school. There, now only the institution is punished.
john lee

hahaha, yeah ruin the collegiate careers of student athletes. if these “student athletes” are stupid enough to commit to that morally bankrupt program knowing the chances of sanctions are very high, then they deserve everything coming down on the school. and the whole point in punishment in this case is to prevent recruits from flocking to any program giving out cashola and handouts like yours and gain an unfair advantage in recruiting. otherwise, do you think these kids would willingly choose to attend a school in south central without some form of “benefits?” whatever deuSChe bag
john lee

so i guess that dog killing so-called coach mcnair isn't part of the university and he shouldn't have suspected anything when partying it up with bush in the hotel suite in san diego? i must be ignorant bc i'm clearly not smart enough to assume anyone being supported by a school janitor can afford $300/night hotel rooms to throw football parties.
Robert

psudevon,

You don't know your ass from elbows in terms or USC. “Look at Dwayne Jarrett's apartment situation, when it was paid for by a booster” Are you serious? That “booster” was Matt Leinart's father. Following the 2004 Championship and Heisman Award, Matt Leinart was constantly bothered by autograph seekers and fans. His father had him move out of USC housing and into a luxury apartment (about $3,000 a month) a few miles from campus. Since Dwayne Jarrett was Leinart's roommate before, Leinart invited him to stay with him. Matt Leinart, Leinart's dad, DJarrett were all unaware this was against NCAA rules. The NCAA forced DJarrett's family to payback Leinart's father his share of the rent (about $1,500 for the 5 months or so he was there). DJarrett comes from a poor family and this was a burden on them. I'm sure, had DJarrett known he'd end up paying in the end, he would have stayed at USC housing instead. The NCAA looked at it as a minor infraction and DJarrett regained his eligibility after paying back Leinart's father. Maybe the USC compliance office should have caught this at the beginning. But to say a “booster” paid for Jarrett's off campus housing is a quite a stretch. Know your facts before casting stones.
Darren

Whining and crying about “cheating” is for fans of teams that haven't won anything in decades. I'd have a lot more respect for it if you'd just admit you're upset because you don't like USC — stop making it seem as if you're really concerned with integrity or character. You're not. You're just pisssed because your team has been bad for so long.
Gawd, I hate cry-babies.
psudevon

You do realize you're talking to Penn State fans, right? The guys that invented “success with honor?” I got nothing but respect for Texas–they've been good for, seemingly, forever, without too many issues. Florida? A few individual scumbags, but there isn't the same lack of institutional control. At Penn State, we live by Joe Paterno's creed:

“Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good.” If you Trojans fans had any self respect, you'd call a spade a spade, you'd be embarrassed for what happened, and you'd probably stop with the whole holier than thou crap.

The whole “the world is out to get us” schtick must get pretty old, and it seems even more pathetic when you're a middle of the pack Pac-10 team coming off an Emerald Bowl appearance.
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

I wouldn't know a much clearer definition of booster than the player's actual father.

“Has ever been a member of any former University of Southern Cal Department Fan Support Group,
Has ever made a financial contribution to the Department of Athletics or any of our former Athletic Fan Support Groups,
Is or has ever been a season ticket holder in any sport,
Has ever helped arrange employment for or employed a current or prospective student-athlete, or
Has ever been involved, in any way, in the promotion of Southern Cal's athletics program.”

Now tell me how Matt Leinart's father isn't a booster again? Under NCAA bylaws boosters (which Leinart's father is one) CANNOT “provide any type of benefit (money, services, items) to recruits or student-athletes, unless such a benefit is readily available to the public in general and such a claim can be easily demonstrated”. So once again, how is this not a booster paying for Jarrett's off campus housing again?
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Thanks for pointing that out @John Lee. For those who aren't familiar with what he is talking about

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/20…
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Yes, all the outrage is clearly based on pure jealously and not because the Trojans succeeded by ignoring the very rules that limits every other team in the country. And queue the “everyone is doing it” argument in, 3… 2…
jw4sc

Wow the vitriol of some of these comments is just too much. Still smarting from that Rose Bowl pounding in ’09? Guess what? The NCAA has nothing, contrary to the smear job of an article above, which relies so heavily on unnamed “sources”. Probably his barber LMAO! The sanctions will be minor, if any. And this is the scary part – USC will only get better from here on out. They are a great institution and an outstanding football school. Might I suggest that instead of whining to the NCAA, you focus on building a better football team, as the Trojans have done.

http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Right another “you’re just jealous” argument. And all it took was 5 hours and 6 minutes.
Anonymous

In Lane Kiffin you trust, huh? At least Pete Carroll seemed like a decent enough guy. Garrett hiring Kiffin? Just making it even easier to hate USC.

fffff

they did not win any games fair and square – if you want to start talking fair and square – you need to look at the history of usc football steroid abuse.
fffffffff

your post is ridiculous.

“this is all so stupid. everyone smells blood and sees it as a chance to screw USC over. face it people, Bush would have been at USC regardless of all this, period. “

perhaps, but rules are rules. a team may not use an ineligible player. if bush or his family accepted benefits, he cannot be used and wins associated with his use should be vacated. since no one remembers or case what usc did in 2004, the only way to get southern cal to institute a better set of controls over their athletics is to punish them going forward thereby limiting the risk of future transgressions.

“And now, your solutions… Ruin the collegiate careers of student athletes who had NOTHING to do with any of this whatsoever. HA, its ridiculous to me how people only think about what's best for them. I hope each and every one of your programs gets found out that some deuche gave a player some kind of benefit. You would ALL be singing to a different toon. “

Uninformed and irrelevant. Sanctions would not ruin the college careers of student athletes. It would force southern cal to install greater oversight over its athletic teams and those associated with those teams. How is bowl season ban, limiting scholarships, etc going to ruin anyone's career?
Your Daddy

You sound like you have been caught wearing your mothers underwear that would explain your logic(everyone's doing it) oh yeah you forgot to add that those would be agents were also in the locker room with the players. I laugh at people with your reasoning it's comedy whenever they open there mouth.
Darren

What I'm saying is, the only thing that matters is what happens on the football field. Be honest, you have no idea what goes on behind the scenes with ANY program. Hell, I don't care who's getting school books, I don't care who drives a Lexus, I don't care who's sleeping with cheerleaders. All I care about is what happens on the field … and that's all you should care about as well.
Stop bitchin' and moaning about allegations and let's talk football. I don't care how you slice it or dice it, it's crybaby bulls*** when Penn St. is worried about friggin' allegations at USC.
Are you really concerned with ethics and integrity? Really? Or are you just pissed because USC was dominant for awhile. Damn, just be honest.
Darren

Sorry, I don't think the “whole world is out to get us.” When did I write that? Frankly speaking, I don't care who loves USC or who hates 'em. All I care about is the football game. Did you win or did you lose? These are kids playing football … what happens off the field has little to do with what happens on. Next thing you know you'll be accusing someone of drinking super-power potion or some other ridiculous thing to cry about. Pitiful.
psudevon

“Are you really concerned with ethics and integrity?”

Yes. So are about 90% of the programs in the country. Once you understand that, it'll really change the way you see the sport. Penn State prides ourselves on being above the fray. You can hate on some other schools, but that's how we do it. Read that Joe Paterno quote I posted above. Learn that Penn State has higher graduation rates and more Academic All Americans than just about every other school in the country. Realize that Penn State has never had a single major NCAA violation, and then you'll realize that it's not about winning or losing, it's about doing it the right way, or being more a minor league for the NFL than a producer of scholar-athletes.

PeeYOUPSU

Who the heck needs NCAA violations when you can have CRIMINAL charges, of which Penn State players are famous for. The school SHOULD be called “State Penn” since that is where so many spend their spare time! LOL!

so-cal-native

Maybe you haters should be aware of the real mess that they call the USA, get on track with realality and wake the freak up.
psudevon

Reggie Bush took benefits because of our broken healthcare system? Can't argue with that logic!
haters suck

Nothing like making things up. Some people are probably dumb enough to fall for it.
so-cal-native

Broken healthcare what the F are you 16 and living off daddy's money our economy is in the bucket and we got an oil spill that is going to ruin the souths econ.
Bruin102NCAA

You just keep on telling yourself that junior. The NCAA is coming and you ain't going to like it. Time to come out of your trogan echo-chamber and face reality. I can't wait.
Texas Time

I think they actually do have a policy that when a certain level of sanctions are passed down they give the incoming Juniors and Seniors the chance to transfer to another FBS school with no waiting.

The problem with that is that as soon as the sanctions are handed down the other schools start recruiting. Especially those schools that didn't fill out their class. The ones that are hurt, especially if the sanctions are over 3 years or so, are the freshmen and sophomores. Their choice is to stick it out, transfer to another D1 school and sit out a season or transfer to a FCS school.
CFB Fan

I am fan of another Pac-10 team that has not been to or won a Rose Bowl in my lifetime. And while we field a respectable team these days, I would not trade our past and mediocrity for glory if it achieved in a way that belittles fair play and what an institution of higher learning should be fostering. The ends must not justify the means…

Thumbing the nose at the NCAA with the hiring of morally bankrupt coaches (Kiffen and Orgeron) certainly doesn't help matters. Wiki Ed Orgeron to get a feel for how this guy has conducted himself. The win at all cost mentality should not be welcome at any level, especially at academic institutions…

Truly one the best things about winning is the respect earned along the way, including from one's competitors. Southern Cal lost that with many us a long time ago. So, let's finally make it official, put a stamp on it, tarnish the past achievements with omissions and asterisk marks and punish the cheats going-forward.
Jay

Robert,

I am not a PSU fan, but I believe the 2000 qb you are referring to was never indicted and actually won a lawsuit against the police… believe the cop was suspended in fact. Cry all you want, but Auburn should have been the champs in 2004. Booster or agent, take your meds like a man…. cheaters
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

@Robert the QB you are referring to is Rashard Casey was actually awarded a settlement by the Hoboken Police Department. The entire story is here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/colle…
Free Thinker

Charlie,

You lost all credibility when you labeled Leinart's father as a booster without clarification. Sam Gilbert (go read history on UCLA) was a booster. Dallas real-estate developer Sherwood Blount, Jr. was a booster (see SMU history). Logan Young was a booster who was convicted of paying $150,000 to get a high school player to sign with Alabama in 2000.

Those others are boosters, Leinart's father was a team dad with different intentions. If you cannot make that distinction, you have no credibility and the remainder of your writing is equally suspect.
http://NittanyWhiteOut.com/ Charlie

Look, you're declaration that Leinart's dad wasn't a booster is as credible as mine when I claimed he was. The only ultimate authority who will eventually make that definition will be the NCAA. Suspect or not, all of the violations listed in the article are cited, sourced and will most definitely leave a paper trail.
ian

how is everybody? well i hope. love to see USC is on your minds. i do not think most of you have a real clue of whats going on. FYI nothing on USC's football will be the verdict. so freak out now if you are going to. you people are a crack up. RB never took money personally. are those new charges you are drumming up on this site? he drove a piece of sh*t hatchback. open practices open everything for everyone to see. if this was going on then why after the season did this story break? lastly all that's right all alogations on football, and basketball were by convicted felons. some in prison for other crimes as i write. i am sorry one more thing about the handing of the money from floyd to whoever for Mayo. one problem. facts. floyd and team where at the airport ready to take off for a road game. so time confliction is a big one here. sorry maybe you can drum up some more bs to feed off of.
Kcasymkcil

If all of the alleged wrongdoings by Bush took place in 2005, why would the NCAA or BCS go after titles won in the 2003 and 2004 seasons? Everything that Bush's stepfather is accused of doing took place months after the Orange Bowl in 2004,

As for Jarrett, he rented a room from Leinart for 800 a month, he wasnt on the lease, he was a renter. If a student is renting a room from someone theyre not responsible for 50% of the mortgage/lease payment unless they play for the USC Trojans.

Oklahoma had boosters paying players for jobs they never showed up for, the boosters werent paying the players to leave the school but were paying them to stay and play at the school. OU recieved a loss of 9 scholarships over 3 seasons, USC deserves less punishment than OU recieved as they were already punished as the people allegedly paying Bush were paying him to leave USC early and that is what he did.
Kcasymkcil

If all of the alleged wrongdoings by Bush took place in 2005, why would the NCAA or BCS go after titles won in the 2003 and 2004 seasons? Everything that Bush's stepfather is accused of doing took place months after the Orange Bowl in 2004,

As for Jarrett, he rented a room from Leinart for 800 a month, he wasnt on the lease, he was a renter. If a student is renting a room from someone theyre not responsible for 50% of the mortgage/lease payment unless they play for the USC Trojans.

Oklahoma had boosters paying players for jobs they never showed up for, the boosters werent paying the players to leave the school but were paying them to stay and play at the school. OU recieved a loss of 9 scholarships over 3 seasons, USC deserves less punishment than OU recieved as they were already punished as the people allegedly paying Bush were paying him to leave USC early and that is what he did.