Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Kelvin Sampson possibly in hot water (again)
Interesting-many of us would even say not surprising-story out of Indiana today. I've never understood why IU hired a guy who had trouble following the rules to begin with. At this point, there is such a cloud over the program, I actually hope they keep the guy because I think it helps us.
But the big question in my mind is, what will the NCAA and IU do? After all, the allegations say Sampson misled IU as well. That doesn't bode well for him in my opinion.
I wonder what Eric Gordon and his dad think? Or what they know. Hmmmm.
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But the big question in my mind is, what will the NCAA and IU do? After all, the allegations say Sampson misled IU as well. That doesn't bode well for him in my opinion.
I wonder what Eric Gordon and his dad think? Or what they know. Hmmmm.
Labels: Eric Gordon, Kelvin Sampson, NCAA
# posted by Chief : 11:10 AM
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Inside the NCAA
The NY Times raises the curtain on the NCAA and its infractions process today in this story . I highly encourage you to read it as it give an inside look into a lot of things we average fans might now know and mentions the Kansas basketball program and a certain Big Ten coach to the east of us specifically.
My conclusion after reading this: Further proof that the NCAA has some serious problems.
Some highlights:
It used to be that the N.C.A.A. caught wind of a problem at a university, investigated and meted out punishment. Now, with a stretched staff and member institutions often feeling wary of the enforcement process, outside firms have become the nexus for law and order in college sports.
***
David Price, the N.C.A.A.’s vice president for enforcement services, acknowledged that many athletic programs continued to bend, if not outright break, the rules. And his staff, which has nearly doubled in the past few years, cannot hope to catch them all. The N.C.A.A. does not have subpoena power, and it must get all information on the record to build a case.
“We’re certainly very busy, but I also think the N.C.A.A. membership doesn’t want a police state,” he said.
***
Mr. Ridpath said the N.C.A.A. enforcement staff has used heavy-handed tactics to force cooperation. “I’ve seen them threaten people’s careers, badger them to get the answers they want, belittle them and make people cry,” he said.
He also said he saw how lawyers specializing in N.C.A.A. matters operated. Marshall hired an Ice Miller partner at the time, Richard R. Hilliard, who was once the N.C.A.A.’s director of enforcement.
“They are very adept at how to satisfy the committee to minimize the damage to their high-paying client,” Mr. Ridpath said. “They have no problem advising their clients to sacrifice someone lower on the totem pole. You never see a high-profile coach or administrator losing their job.”
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My conclusion after reading this: Further proof that the NCAA has some serious problems.
Some highlights:
It used to be that the N.C.A.A. caught wind of a problem at a university, investigated and meted out punishment. Now, with a stretched staff and member institutions often feeling wary of the enforcement process, outside firms have become the nexus for law and order in college sports.
***
David Price, the N.C.A.A.’s vice president for enforcement services, acknowledged that many athletic programs continued to bend, if not outright break, the rules. And his staff, which has nearly doubled in the past few years, cannot hope to catch them all. The N.C.A.A. does not have subpoena power, and it must get all information on the record to build a case.
“We’re certainly very busy, but I also think the N.C.A.A. membership doesn’t want a police state,” he said.
***
Mr. Ridpath said the N.C.A.A. enforcement staff has used heavy-handed tactics to force cooperation. “I’ve seen them threaten people’s careers, badger them to get the answers they want, belittle them and make people cry,” he said.
He also said he saw how lawyers specializing in N.C.A.A. matters operated. Marshall hired an Ice Miller partner at the time, Richard R. Hilliard, who was once the N.C.A.A.’s director of enforcement.
“They are very adept at how to satisfy the committee to minimize the damage to their high-paying client,” Mr. Ridpath said. “They have no problem advising their clients to sacrifice someone lower on the totem pole. You never see a high-profile coach or administrator losing their job.”
Labels: NCAA
# posted by Chief : 7:23 PM
Friday, February 16, 2007
DISAPPOINTMENT...
Chief Illiniwek will no longer perform.
Additional background information on this development and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's).
All of our regular readers know where Illinitalk stands on this issue. This portion of a statement from Athletic Director Ron Guenther sums up the reality of the situation:
"Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed, however, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made."
We too are disappointed. But the reality is, we knew this was likely coming once the NCAA created their new policy mascot/symbol policy back in 2005. The sanctions imposed by the NCAA on schools that violated their policy left the University with little other choice once the appeals process was exhausted. Score one for the NCAA bureaucrats as they have dealt a blow to institutional autonomy.
One question from the FAQ's stands out to us as one that needs to be answered more definitively:
Q: What will happen with the University’s trademark rights to the name Chief Illiniwek, the portrayal of the Chief and the Chief Illiniwek logo?
A: The University is reviewing trademark laws. No final decision has been made.
It is our hope that the University of Illinois will decide to turn over the trademark rights to the group of former Chief's or to another suitable entity who will honor the tradition of Chief Illiniwek.
Finally, we would appeal to all of you out there, regardless of whether you support the Chief decision or not, to continue to support the University of Illinois and the Fighting Illini Athletics.
Have a good weekend and good luck to the Illini at Northwestern on Sunday! Go Orange and Blue!
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Additional background information on this development and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's).
All of our regular readers know where Illinitalk stands on this issue. This portion of a statement from Athletic Director Ron Guenther sums up the reality of the situation:
"Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed, however, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made."
We too are disappointed. But the reality is, we knew this was likely coming once the NCAA created their new policy mascot/symbol policy back in 2005. The sanctions imposed by the NCAA on schools that violated their policy left the University with little other choice once the appeals process was exhausted. Score one for the NCAA bureaucrats as they have dealt a blow to institutional autonomy.
One question from the FAQ's stands out to us as one that needs to be answered more definitively:
Q: What will happen with the University’s trademark rights to the name Chief Illiniwek, the portrayal of the Chief and the Chief Illiniwek logo?
A: The University is reviewing trademark laws. No final decision has been made.
It is our hope that the University of Illinois will decide to turn over the trademark rights to the group of former Chief's or to another suitable entity who will honor the tradition of Chief Illiniwek.
Finally, we would appeal to all of you out there, regardless of whether you support the Chief decision or not, to continue to support the University of Illinois and the Fighting Illini Athletics.
Have a good weekend and good luck to the Illini at Northwestern on Sunday! Go Orange and Blue!
Labels: Chief, Chief Illiniwek, NCAA, Ron Guenther, Symbol, Trademark
# posted by Good Hope Orange : 3:26 PM
