There will always be corruption in the money sports of the major colleges. Wins equate with more money, so the academic credentials of many high school stars are glossed over. Some of these "student-athletes" actually overcome their academic deficiencies and actually do get an education. But many do not. For every Syracuse the NCAA catches there are others who slide under the radar.
1
So...Gross gets a VP job! How shameful...but Boeheim should be fired NOW!
2
SU Chancellor and Board of Trustees decide to go the no integrity route.
Hardly surprising - A few years ago SU made a similar choice on the Bernie Fine business - saved by NYC archaic statutes of limitations - I waiting for Coach Boeheim to invoke the same on his current "hands in the cookie jar" predicament.
Hardly surprising - A few years ago SU made a similar choice on the Bernie Fine business - saved by NYC archaic statutes of limitations - I waiting for Coach Boeheim to invoke the same on his current "hands in the cookie jar" predicament.
2
Assuming the NCAA does not change its take on the scholarship issue, there's a certain fairness in Boeheim being the one who will coach with fewer scholarship players. He at least took responsibility in his statement today. Can't say the same for Gross.
Yet another example of all that's wrong with our Institutions of Higher Athletics....
Clearly, Boeheim should be shown the door for his skulduggery, but the only thing Syracuse is known for is basketball (and snow) and that means Jim Boeheim. Don't follow your conscience, just follow the money.
Clearly, Boeheim should be shown the door for his skulduggery, but the only thing Syracuse is known for is basketball (and snow) and that means Jim Boeheim. Don't follow your conscience, just follow the money.
3
No, no, you must leave NOW. This isn't about "retirement" at your convenience, this is about punishment because you're an arrogant breaker of rules, usurper of order, destroyer of decent behavior. What chutzpah! Yes, we know, your family for whom you've handsomely provided a cushy life loves you. Sheesh! You did the crime, you were exposed for what you are, now get lost. What part of "get lost" don't you understand?
Signed, Syracuse Alumnus
Signed, Syracuse Alumnus
2
wow! how long before the "boeheim strategy" (not too far from lenny bruce's "admit nothing even if they have photos") or the "boehiem solution" (giving into the strategy) or the "boeheim sanction" (the zero quid pro quo for giving in) or just plain "boeheimed!" oozes into the flow of effluent spin from government, finance and other trades that reward chicanery in the name of gain.
2
More evidence--as if any was needed--that the NCAA is a joke and that Syracuse "educational mission" takes a backseat to big-money sports and might-profile coaches, who of course never, ever do anything that merits getting fired.
1
What is the raison d'etre of big time college athletics. It is surely not to provide an education to its athletes. It is to bring fame and fortune to the universities. It has succeeded in this. As long as we do not believe in the charade and accept "March Madness" for what it is: a tournament with players with the names of universities on their uniforms with no real connection to the campus in any other meaningful way- and providing an exciting TV experience and plenty for the press to cover--well then we're OK.
3
In any other walk of life if you were found to have aided and abetted (or worse) you would be dismissed. Boeheim is a disgrace, forever tarnished and simply a joke as a member of an educational institution. That Syracuse didn't remove him immediately makes the University more than complicit. What a shame for the legacy of the school.
2
"Daryl Gross, Syracuse’s athletic director for the last 10 years, resigned Wednesday...", and "Gross has been reassigned to a role as a vice president and a special assistant to the chancellor, and an adjunct professor in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. "
WOW, that's such a severe punishment for ruining the schools reputation. Is that a joke or just everyday business?
WOW, that's such a severe punishment for ruining the schools reputation. Is that a joke or just everyday business?
3
Boeheim gets the biggest break ever for a coach. Well, maybe not as big as Slippery Cal whose exits at Memphis and UMass nearly killed programs while he fled untouched. Interesting he enjoys a graceful exit despite multiple infractions for years and years while his colleague in Bloomington was shown the door despite graduating players and never having an infraction. Two different standards at two schools.
2
Syracuse is reaping what it sowed 10 years ago when it hired Daryl Gross. As a USC alum, it was a relief when this snake oil salesman announced he was leaving the University for the AD job at Syracuse. But it was shocking that an institution as solid as Syracuse fell for his self-serving babble. (FYI: His story that he brought Pete Carrol to USC was never true. And if it was true and he was such a brilliant identifier of talent, how did he end up with Greg Robinson as his coach at Syracuse.)
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These Syracuse NCAA "sanctions" are capricious and unnecessary. Syracuse University runs a successful professional basketball club. The beauty of belonging to the NCAA and claiming their players are "student athletes," Syracuse doesn't have to pay them. What's not to like about that arrangement? It allows Boeheim and his coaches to stuff their pockets with money while their players, who are professional athletic entertainers, get stiffed. That's your America, land of the free and home of the...well you fill in the blank.
The NCAA could have found similar "misdeeds" at any number of universities. Just look at your bracket and pick one and I'm sure the findings would have been similar. It's the only way these universities can keep their high flying programs under sail.
As the NCAA's good ship Lollipop takes on more and more water, they have a decision to make. Either eliminate all athletic scholarships and return the athletic teams to the real students - my preference, or simply admit the obvious and start paying the players what they're worth. Option 1 means they can say bye bye to their golden goose of a TV contract, Option 2 they don't.
My guess is they go with Option 2 in the end. Start authorizing additional "stipends," the size of which will eventually be driven by the basketball marketplace and the money that particular program makes.
The D1 NCAA "student athlete" is a complete farce. It's time to end the hypocrisy.
The NCAA could have found similar "misdeeds" at any number of universities. Just look at your bracket and pick one and I'm sure the findings would have been similar. It's the only way these universities can keep their high flying programs under sail.
As the NCAA's good ship Lollipop takes on more and more water, they have a decision to make. Either eliminate all athletic scholarships and return the athletic teams to the real students - my preference, or simply admit the obvious and start paying the players what they're worth. Option 1 means they can say bye bye to their golden goose of a TV contract, Option 2 they don't.
My guess is they go with Option 2 in the end. Start authorizing additional "stipends," the size of which will eventually be driven by the basketball marketplace and the money that particular program makes.
The D1 NCAA "student athlete" is a complete farce. It's time to end the hypocrisy.
2
Univ of a Wisconsin just announced that 10 of their players have at least a 3.0 GPA and that they contributed over 200 hours of community service, including 40 by one member, starting forward Nigel Hayes. The Badgers have never had a "one and done." Yet, they are in the top 20 every year and in the top ten the past two. Players attend real classes and graduate. It all starts with the core values at the school and in the program. Kudos to the administration and, especially, to coach Bo Ryan.
4
People focus on a coach's salary, his record. and any NCAA violations. But, day to day, coaches coach their teams, kids 18-22, many of whom have hard luck lives. The kids who play Division I aren't stupid -- they have to have SAT scores and high school grades to meet the standard. Reasonably smart kids from tough backgrounds are a substantial day to day challenge. Boeheim isn't some effete millionaire. His wealth depends upon his ability to lead some really tough kids. Accomplishing all this at age 70 is truly extraordinary. Before you dismiss the guy, walk in his shoes.
Did anyone actually read the NCAA report. The same information is presented in four or five different section. The document could be efficiently written in significantly fewer pages; the NCAA form of 90+ pages make it seem worse than it is. The infractions are real, but there is no continuity to any of them, no several years and several players given academic favors, the issues with pay caused by a YMCA CEO who may have larger issues relating to over $300,000. The infractions don't come close to justifying penalties of this magnitude, except.... after eight years, they can't walk away without applying anything less. It's a saving face issue at this point. But, people, read the report, then draw your own conclusions.
1
If Syracuse has a shred of academic integrity, it would have fired both Boeheim and Gross for cause. But it apparently doesn't, so it didn't.
Why do universities seem to be acting more and more with all the (utter lack of lack) morality seem over and over again on Wall Street?
Why do universities seem to be acting more and more with all the (utter lack of lack) morality seem over and over again on Wall Street?
3
Some people just don't know when it's time to leave. Boeheim as a lame duck for three seasons will drag the program down even further and do nothing to repair his reputation, which is now that of a defiant, unapologetic, tone-deaf jerk.
He thinks he's John Wooden when he's really more like Woody Hayes and Joe Paterno. Sad but true, unfortunately.
He thinks he's John Wooden when he's really more like Woody Hayes and Joe Paterno. Sad but true, unfortunately.
4
Think of the damage he can do in three years. Damage to the NCAA, Syracuse university (both already tattered by corruption), and to his own image.
Three years is only three years too long. Get out!
Three years is only three years too long. Get out!
2
Will be a very sad day when one of college basketball's greatest coaches leaves the court for the last time. I would like to thank Mr. Boeheim for all the years of providing quality entertainment to viewers as well as providing structure and avenues of success to his recruits.
3
Hear it? The silence. From all the other D1 coaches, AD's, university presidents. Nary a word. I Wonder why.
3
He gets to coach 3 more years...That's his "penalty" ?
9
"He gets to coach 3 more years...That's his 'penalty' ?"
Boeheim's penalty is his tarnished legacy and 108 vacated team victories, which drops him from second in the NCAA basketball all-time wins list to sixth. He was not banned from coaching or the NCAA.
Boeheim's penalty is his tarnished legacy and 108 vacated team victories, which drops him from second in the NCAA basketball all-time wins list to sixth. He was not banned from coaching or the NCAA.
2
No doubt this was his plan before this mess was uncovered.
1
Boeheim chose the three year period. I assume a big part of that choice is that it assures that this year's freshman will get a full four years of his coaching and any new recruits will understand he's leaving, I could be wrong, of course, But if I'm right, He's choosing his retirement date in order not to renege on any promises made to his kids. It's hard to find fault with that.
1
I do find it interesting that the article states that Coach Boeheim INTENDS to retire in 3 years. I know a lot of coaches who intend to stay at schools for a very long time and somehow that never materializes. I wonder if the converse is more reliable.
2
If the SU groundskeeper kills all the perennials, will he/she be given a three year employment agreement?
9
As a Syracuse University graduate I have mixed emotions about all this. In the end, I wish Coach Boeheim would have gracefully retired several years ago. Deserved or not his legacy is now forever tainted. A man who dedicated his entire life to the University should be remembered for that dedication, service and success, not for scandal.
2
"Deserved or not"? There is no question. He has cheated for more than a decade. If you attended Syracuse you should have known. You certainly know now.
Boeheim dedicated his life to making money and to his ego. That doesn't make him a bad person (cheating did that). It does remove the odor of sainthood which you somehow seem to detect.
Boeheim dedicated his life to making money and to his ego. That doesn't make him a bad person (cheating did that). It does remove the odor of sainthood which you somehow seem to detect.
The university would clearly have taken a massive (contractually related) financial hit if either Gross or Boeheim were let go outright. Instead, Gross is given a courtesy position and Boeheim is allowed to go out on his own terms. It speaks volumes.
6
Jen, why would the university necessarily "take a massive financial hit" if these gentlemen performed malfeasance? This is a pure failure of the institution to hold people accountable. The article saved the clincher for the end when it reported that "Gross has been reassigned to a role as vice president and special assistant to the chancellor." What?!? That sounds more like a promotion. Hey world, simply avoid sending your kids to Syracuse University.Look where your money is going.
What a shame that Daryl Gross was retained by the University - and in a vice presidential role no less! Of course, Coach Boeheim will be allowed to reach that 40-year milestone with all the commensurate celebrations, I am certain.
Seems to me that more of a "clean sweep" would be in order, which would mean a national search for a new Athletic Director and a new basketball coach. This would have sent a clear, unmistakable signal that regime change is underway at Syracuse.
Of course the larger question remains - what should the relationship be between athletics and academics at major American universities. Think about the type of schedule that college basketball and football players must keep - especially with conferences becoming so far flung. Between the practices, games and travel - how can athletes keep up a full college course load, especially those from difficult backgrounds? Perhaps we should call college sports what they are - minor leagues for the NFL and NBA - pay the players a reasonable salary and offer them the chance to take college courses at the sponsoring university later in life.
Seems to me that more of a "clean sweep" would be in order, which would mean a national search for a new Athletic Director and a new basketball coach. This would have sent a clear, unmistakable signal that regime change is underway at Syracuse.
Of course the larger question remains - what should the relationship be between athletics and academics at major American universities. Think about the type of schedule that college basketball and football players must keep - especially with conferences becoming so far flung. Between the practices, games and travel - how can athletes keep up a full college course load, especially those from difficult backgrounds? Perhaps we should call college sports what they are - minor leagues for the NFL and NBA - pay the players a reasonable salary and offer them the chance to take college courses at the sponsoring university later in life.
3
And I still don't see how this all comes down to being Boeheim's fault? All he wanted was for the people in charge of assisting the athletes with their studies to get Fab Melo back on the court. His job is coaching, not hand holding. Melo, being from Brazil, had a language barrier. Nothing said about that.
The NCAA needs to get it's act together and shorten the time it takes for it's investigations. Seven years is too long. They need to pass a law that students must remain in college two years before going to the NBA. This would solve a lot of problems.
The NCAA needs to get it's act together and shorten the time it takes for it's investigations. Seven years is too long. They need to pass a law that students must remain in college two years before going to the NBA. This would solve a lot of problems.
I'm a former Syracuse student athlete that graduated in the mid 2000s. So i was there when Dr. Gross replaced the old AD, and replaced multiple coaches. When i was there Syracuse would brag to the student athletes how our program g.p.a. and graduation rate (for football and basketball) was ranked in the top 10 in D.1 sports.
I remember most of the basketball players being in a easy major in one particular school. A lot of the football players and all the other sports programs actually had real majors in business, communication (Newhouse), public policy and IT. Maybe the football players took their academics more seriously since football hadn't been good in close to a decade.
I was interning in an office at the athletic department. I witnessed a football player (that went off to play in the NFL and isn't too hard to google) start a fight with a townie (the locals of Syracuse) one night. He was stabbed. The school twisted the story to the football player was trying to protect a friend (lies).
Syracuse wants to up their academic rankings and get off the top party school list, then there needs to be a change. Instead of going for the top athletes, go for the top student-athletes as Duke, and Stanford is known to do. The buck needs to stop here. I love my school, but Cuse' can do better.
I remember most of the basketball players being in a easy major in one particular school. A lot of the football players and all the other sports programs actually had real majors in business, communication (Newhouse), public policy and IT. Maybe the football players took their academics more seriously since football hadn't been good in close to a decade.
I was interning in an office at the athletic department. I witnessed a football player (that went off to play in the NFL and isn't too hard to google) start a fight with a townie (the locals of Syracuse) one night. He was stabbed. The school twisted the story to the football player was trying to protect a friend (lies).
Syracuse wants to up their academic rankings and get off the top party school list, then there needs to be a change. Instead of going for the top athletes, go for the top student-athletes as Duke, and Stanford is known to do. The buck needs to stop here. I love my school, but Cuse' can do better.
8
I have to agree with this.
Bobby Knight was able to maximize his students abilities and had a top graduation rate.
Bobby Knight was able to maximize his students abilities and had a top graduation rate.
1
i also agree. Bobby Knight may have thrown chairs and temper tantrums, but his kids did graduate
3 years? Give me a break. He should pay back wages for the last 30 years.
5
As a Syracuse alum, I, like many of my fellow alumni, bear a heavy heart with the actions of the University and the NCAA. Programs in the future, including the ever-looming UNC case, will be influenced by the NCAA's actions with Syracuse, which certainly were made with the intention of sending a message.
Emotions aside, these investigations and issues continue to point out the very real issue of athletics vs. academics. The economics of collegiate sports has fostered the idea that athletics and academics are mutually exclusive, when the reality is they (should) work in symbiosis. Athletics help bring the collegiate experience to talented kids who otherwise would not have the chance to experience them; they also help showcase those special athletes destined to be stars on the field or court (and what is wrong with that?). Similarly, athletic budgets help promote and maintain a variety of campus-related experiences. Unfortunately, the NCAA, spiraling economics and immense pressure to deliver championships has muddied that relationship, and we forget that these are kids who need the community, education (even if it doesn't end with a degree), social structure, and discipline. These are kids who are forced to maintain some kind of academic balance while being pressured to deliver in their chosen sport as if it were a full-time job.
So long as we continue to promote the idea of "one or the other," we only make it worse.
Emotions aside, these investigations and issues continue to point out the very real issue of athletics vs. academics. The economics of collegiate sports has fostered the idea that athletics and academics are mutually exclusive, when the reality is they (should) work in symbiosis. Athletics help bring the collegiate experience to talented kids who otherwise would not have the chance to experience them; they also help showcase those special athletes destined to be stars on the field or court (and what is wrong with that?). Similarly, athletic budgets help promote and maintain a variety of campus-related experiences. Unfortunately, the NCAA, spiraling economics and immense pressure to deliver championships has muddied that relationship, and we forget that these are kids who need the community, education (even if it doesn't end with a degree), social structure, and discipline. These are kids who are forced to maintain some kind of academic balance while being pressured to deliver in their chosen sport as if it were a full-time job.
So long as we continue to promote the idea of "one or the other," we only make it worse.
5
This confirms what's wrong at Syracuse. Notwithstanding his title, the AD is and has been subordinate to Boeheim. So the guy in charge gets to stay for 3 years when he would probably be retiring had there been no sanctions. The subordinate takes the hit.
5
Since Syracuse is appealing part of the NCAA's decision I have to assume that they did not want to cut the coach loose and all that might convey to the NCAA. So they did something (obviously expected by the NCAA), but are apparently trying to wall the coach off in order to protect the record. A paragon of legal strategy, not virtue, in other words.
If you met Dr. Gross (as he insists on being called), you'd realize he was at the root of many, many things that ail SU. The former chancellor, Nancy Cantor, brought him on board. Between the two of them, the academic ranking crashed and the party school ranking blossomed. Two of Dr. Gross's first acts, after firing everyone in the Athletic Department, was to change the marching band uniforms and dictate what music they would play. Seriously? Note also that he will also be front and center in every photo op. Trust me, it's Dr. Gross that's been running amok all this time.
1
Wow, he'll retire in 3 years, exactly when he would have anyway. Every time something like this happens (weekly?) I feel vindicated ending my love affair with college sports a few years ago.
5