Sad what this has done to the game - college b-ball can be a thing of beauty and stunning competition when kept free of money and influence. After Watching Ky humiliate W. Virginia tonight I felt like the last hint of soul had been sucked out of the sport - so sorry to have watched.
2
I went to a school that stayed out of the sewer that is big money sports, and I am grateful for that. It did have sports teams and I enjoyed watching. But if avoiding the ooze had meant no varsity sports at all, it still would have been profoundly better than the corruption that disgraces so many universities.
6
Love his 1 year minor league system where he finally can be honest and tell the players go to class one semester and your free and clear. His cheating ways finally found a way around worrying about education getting in the way. He's a putz
6
Calipari makes Jim Boeheim look like an Eagle Scout. Atta way NCAA - nothing like being consistent and objective.
4
Jon Oliver on HBO did a great job on the "scholar athletes" that make millions for the universities. It basically comes down to this. Must the sham be continued? These "scholars" are there to play a sport and the academics are way down the list.
2
Irony here is David Phillips is making money off of all the rotten he says Calipari is. Anything to sell a few mouse clicks David ?
Yellow journalism at its best.
Ludicrous.
Yellow journalism at its best.
Ludicrous.
God, ranking right up there with the duplicity of the universities and the myth of the "scholar-athlete" are the sports writers who exude such outrage when they too are complicit in the sports industry's takeover of not only university sports but now high schools and club teams too. If you were going to have true scholar athletes, you might need to limit games to Saturdays so the students don't miss classes. You might need to have a season that doesn't extend through both semesters to allow for papers and exams. Perhaps even kids going home for Christmas to study for exams and see the family rather than flying off to Christmas tournaments halfway around the globe. The TV networks and big time sports news operations of other sorts are all in this together so please save some shock and awe for your own role in this on-going tragedy in American culture. Remember the campaign "A mind is a terrible thing to waste"? Ha. And the predominantly African-American victims in the two major sports -- basketball and football -- add a particularly tragic element to the truth here. A pox on all your houses. University presidents and booster alums most of all.
2
Another thing you might want to do if you want true student athletes is to only admit athletes who are truly qualified to do college level academic work.
In addition, have a consistent standard for all colleges that determines which prospective student athletes can be admitted so that a school like Stanford can admit the same athletes as your typical SEC school (and I'm not talking about just Vanderbilt).
In addition, have a consistent standard for all colleges that determines which prospective student athletes can be admitted so that a school like Stanford can admit the same athletes as your typical SEC school (and I'm not talking about just Vanderbilt).
1
Who was the last perfect team? 1976, IU, that's who. I was in junior high, but I still went to all the games. I attended the final fours in 1987 and again in 1991.
Bobby Knight held his players to much higher standards than any other coach I am aware of. If he found out you were doing something wrong, you didn't play until you made it right.
Steve Alford was in my class of '87 and he got in trouble right before the UK game his senior year, and so he didn't play THAT game, which was a bummer for everyone. Many other players had similar situations through the years and they also did not play the next game.
IU basketball graduation rates while coach Knight was here were always very high, close to 100%. Also, many players who went onto the NBA early, like Isaiah Thomas, came back to complete their degrees.
You don't have to like Bobby Knight, but I have never heard anyone say that he ever willingly broke any rules about academics, and all of us who knew how much he did behind the scenes to promote positive academic solutions for his players and the university were proud to have him on our campus.
Won't anyone please knock UK off of this pedestal?
Bobby Knight held his players to much higher standards than any other coach I am aware of. If he found out you were doing something wrong, you didn't play until you made it right.
Steve Alford was in my class of '87 and he got in trouble right before the UK game his senior year, and so he didn't play THAT game, which was a bummer for everyone. Many other players had similar situations through the years and they also did not play the next game.
IU basketball graduation rates while coach Knight was here were always very high, close to 100%. Also, many players who went onto the NBA early, like Isaiah Thomas, came back to complete their degrees.
You don't have to like Bobby Knight, but I have never heard anyone say that he ever willingly broke any rules about academics, and all of us who knew how much he did behind the scenes to promote positive academic solutions for his players and the university were proud to have him on our campus.
Won't anyone please knock UK off of this pedestal?
3
Calipari is a cancer in college basketball. Knight was right, he should be banned from the game. Kentucky semi-professional run this year should suffer the same santioned fate as UMass and Memphis, but the NCAA doesn't have the spine to nail big-time programs.
9
People are jealous of his success. Go Wildcats! Win the 2015 NCAA tournament with undefeated record!
1
So in your mind all that matters is winning basketball games, even if it is done unethically or in UK's case by a group of one and done mercenaries who have no connection to the school except to play basketball there for one year while biding their time until they can make millions of dollars in the NBA.
4
Jealous? No, people just want accountability.
4
As a UMass graduate, I have long been ashamed of Calipari's tenure there and disgusted that the school is choosing to honor him for his phantom victories.
12
His misbehavior cost not only a Final Four appearance but ruined the program for 20 years. As a UMASS alum I strongly object.
3
Calipari is a leach of the highest order, a bloodsucker on the college sports entertainment system.
Take away all the athletic "scholarships," and people like Calipari will gravitate back to the NBA, where they belong.
Honor the likes of him? He has used and abused players wherever he has gone. He has pocketed millions while most of his players have gotten nothing.
But it's not his fault, he has simply gamed the system in a world class way
Shame on us for permitting it!
Take away all the athletic "scholarships," and people like Calipari will gravitate back to the NBA, where they belong.
Honor the likes of him? He has used and abused players wherever he has gone. He has pocketed millions while most of his players have gotten nothing.
But it's not his fault, he has simply gamed the system in a world class way
Shame on us for permitting it!
7
Adirondax: I agree.
Yes, Calapari is a sleezy individual but he has in fact figured out a way to game the one and done system to his and UK's advantage and make $6.5M a year (which will go up to $7M next season) while doing it.
The one and done rule has made a dysfunctional system even worse. For a long time before one and done there were many cases of collegiate athletes who were on campus for the sole purpose of playing their respective sports. Many were incapable of performing academically at the college level. Now with one and done, all these athletes have to do is take some Micky Mouse class for one semester. After that, they never have to set foot in a classroom again.
Sad state of affairs. The NCAA needs to recognize this and do something meaningful to address it.
Yes, Calapari is a sleezy individual but he has in fact figured out a way to game the one and done system to his and UK's advantage and make $6.5M a year (which will go up to $7M next season) while doing it.
The one and done rule has made a dysfunctional system even worse. For a long time before one and done there were many cases of collegiate athletes who were on campus for the sole purpose of playing their respective sports. Many were incapable of performing academically at the college level. Now with one and done, all these athletes have to do is take some Micky Mouse class for one semester. After that, they never have to set foot in a classroom again.
Sad state of affairs. The NCAA needs to recognize this and do something meaningful to address it.
2
The story of corruption in big time college sports goes on and on. When will somebody act? Maybe never, Too much money and power and sports hysteria. Ah, what a country!
3
Now, everyone should pull for the underdog West Virginia tonight!
Before you jump on the WVU bandwagon, you may want to take a good look at their coach's history. Calipari and Hudgins are two peas in a pod.
Why are current students always punished for the misdeeds of these coaches and fellow players?
How can Coach C, Coach T and Coach Pete jump to another lucrative job without having to sit out of sports activities for a year or more. All sports activities, including announcing?
It's because it's a closed system. Because of the money they take care of each other. Well, they do except for the student athlete.
How can Coach C, Coach T and Coach Pete jump to another lucrative job without having to sit out of sports activities for a year or more. All sports activities, including announcing?
It's because it's a closed system. Because of the money they take care of each other. Well, they do except for the student athlete.
5
Thank you, Michael Powell. This informative and well-written piece informs/reminds us as to exactly who and what John Calipari really is.
6
How about a piece about Wisconsin's Bo Ryan? He is the polar opposite of Calipari. His teams are made up of true student athletes who perform well year after year -- and they graduate from a first rate university.
9
By "true" athletes you subconsciously mean "white" kids!
Sensationalism/shock journalism sells newspapers, not goody two shoes fluffy stuff.
I think you will find that the percentage of Cal's player who either graduate or sign $1,000,000 a year NBA contracts is much higher than the graduation rate for non basketball players at almost every state university in the country.
1
And this should be a shock to people? Seriously?
When sports programs at colleges and universities bring in tens of millions of dollars to the institutions, and the coaches are making millions of dollars in salaries, anyone who believes that shady goings on take place are very naïve.
And if people think for a nano-second that the NCAA hasn't ALSO turned a blind eye to the shenanigans for decades, they too are equally naïve.
There is simply far too much money involved for things like this NOT to take place...by ALL PARTIES involved.
Yes it is disgraceful, as more times than not these players are used up and thrown away by the colleges, universities and the NCAA, once they no longer can play their chosen sport. And as has been seen in football in recent times, many leave the sport with life threatening injuries...and no means to support themselves financially...because that "education" they were handed is totally worthless.
When sports programs at colleges and universities bring in tens of millions of dollars to the institutions, and the coaches are making millions of dollars in salaries, anyone who believes that shady goings on take place are very naïve.
And if people think for a nano-second that the NCAA hasn't ALSO turned a blind eye to the shenanigans for decades, they too are equally naïve.
There is simply far too much money involved for things like this NOT to take place...by ALL PARTIES involved.
Yes it is disgraceful, as more times than not these players are used up and thrown away by the colleges, universities and the NCAA, once they no longer can play their chosen sport. And as has been seen in football in recent times, many leave the sport with life threatening injuries...and no means to support themselves financially...because that "education" they were handed is totally worthless.
1
NO WAY. The man has no moral compass when it comes to basketball. He oversaw programs that featured numerous violations (e.g., Derrick Rose had ACT taken by someone else) that left UMass and Memphis in tatters while Calicheati moved on. How long before the list of violations in Lexington are uncovered? The Lexington crowd does not care as long as they win....until an NCAA title is vacated.
4
Big-time college sports are like hot dogs -- delicious but you don't want to know what goes into making them.
1
As much as some of these schools pay there coaches it would seem logical that they pay the players. Most are not getting an education and most will never play at the pro level.
He's a snake oil salesman. He represents everything college should not be.
4
How can this possibly encourage college coaches to play by the rules and to have their player in compliance? UMass is UMess on this one.
3
That Rose had someone take his sat's for him was discovered after he had already left for the nba. And Calipari was supposed to know about it? That's a bit unfair. And encouraging his best players to jump to the nba? What's wrong with that? I would think if he was only concerned with himself he would want them to stay and help him win more games. As far as recruiting those players in the first place, don't forget that a lot of schools are after the same kids. Calipari just gets them.
2
Would people write these stories if he wasn't this successful? Where were they all year?
The irony is that UK players have been perhaps the most exemplary team this year! They're humble, they're unselfish on the court, they've had no scandals unlike some schools, yet they're seeing all this negativity, most of it from years ago when these guys may not have been even born!
I wonder how bad it will get if they go all the way and win! It could get really ugly! This may be nothing! People seem to be digging dirt up big time!!
The irony is that UK players have been perhaps the most exemplary team this year! They're humble, they're unselfish on the court, they've had no scandals unlike some schools, yet they're seeing all this negativity, most of it from years ago when these guys may not have been even born!
I wonder how bad it will get if they go all the way and win! It could get really ugly! This may be nothing! People seem to be digging dirt up big time!!
No one in KY could care less if any if these guys ever graduate. They bring glory to the state, even when they leave early to go to the NBA.
In my 31 yrs living here, I've never heard anyone ever say one word about anything remotely related to academics at either UK or U of L. Prospective students ner say they want to go their for the great history dept or the engineering school. Does it bother them that U of L was once again turned down to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa? Naw - that's a "fraternity" they don't know. No, they all say they want to go there for the reflected glory of the great sports programs. I doubt I'll live long enough to ever see that change.
In my 31 yrs living here, I've never heard anyone ever say one word about anything remotely related to academics at either UK or U of L. Prospective students ner say they want to go their for the great history dept or the engineering school. Does it bother them that U of L was once again turned down to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa? Naw - that's a "fraternity" they don't know. No, they all say they want to go there for the reflected glory of the great sports programs. I doubt I'll live long enough to ever see that change.
1
I know many smart people who go to school at UK, some are leaders in their fields.
I think people here see through the facade of criticism Calipari gets. Every other school wants the same athletes, but he gets them!!
They do one and dones all over the place, but Cal gets the rap.
I think people here see through the facade of criticism Calipari gets. Every other school wants the same athletes, but he gets them!!
They do one and dones all over the place, but Cal gets the rap.
I did NOT say that there are no smart people who attend UK or have done so! That would be untrue.
What I said was it is unheard of to hear anyone say they went there for the academics - they all say for the great sports.
What I said was it is unheard of to hear anyone say they went there for the academics - they all say for the great sports.
1
You left out that as Jim Tressell left Youngstown State for Ohio State, Youngstown State was sanctioned for rules infractions during Tressel's tenure as their head coach.
5
Calapari is a sleazy individual, but he has figured out how to game the one and done system to his advantage.
The biggest accomplishment Calapari has achieved in my mind is to put the farce that is the "student athlete" out there for everyone to see.
I just want to know when the NCAA is finally going to officially acknowledge what everyone already knows, mainly that football and men's basketball teams that play in Division I are populated with athletes that are on campus for the sole purpose of playing sports that bring in major bucks to their university, the NCAA and ESPN.
The main goal of the schools is to do what they have to do to keep these players academically eligible to play; it is certainly not to make sure they get a good quality education and a degree.
It is way past time to officially recognize big time college athletics to what it really is -- a huge money making enterprise that serves as free minor league for the NFL and NBA. As much as I dislike Calapari, at least he is being honest when he recruits his one and done mercenaries for UK by encouraging them to just stay one year and then head off to the NBA.
The whole system is hypocritical and stinks to high heaven.
The biggest accomplishment Calapari has achieved in my mind is to put the farce that is the "student athlete" out there for everyone to see.
I just want to know when the NCAA is finally going to officially acknowledge what everyone already knows, mainly that football and men's basketball teams that play in Division I are populated with athletes that are on campus for the sole purpose of playing sports that bring in major bucks to their university, the NCAA and ESPN.
The main goal of the schools is to do what they have to do to keep these players academically eligible to play; it is certainly not to make sure they get a good quality education and a degree.
It is way past time to officially recognize big time college athletics to what it really is -- a huge money making enterprise that serves as free minor league for the NFL and NBA. As much as I dislike Calapari, at least he is being honest when he recruits his one and done mercenaries for UK by encouraging them to just stay one year and then head off to the NBA.
The whole system is hypocritical and stinks to high heaven.
21
it's hard for the average fan to weigh all the opinions about Calipari and reach a fair conclusion. I am an avid reader of Sports Illustrated. Its sports writers are the best in the business and its sources are as good as any. Over and over, i find that SI writes about subjects and the NYT then follows. Stories about the increasing use of fastballs, the low scoring in college basketball and the rule changes in the NBA and the NFL all were addressed first in SI. Sports Illustrated has concluded that the criticism of Calipari is overblown. Now it's an NYT favorite subject. SI addresses avid sports fans who have a strong desire to know. The Times writes for folks who generally believe that sports are overblown. Because I'm more naturally an SI reader, I give their conclusions more weight. SI has written that Calipari has been maligned largely because his fellow coaches resent him. That makes sense to me and even though I don't pretend to know the definitive word, I'm inclined to believe SI and discount what the lesser sportswriters of the Times believe.
8
That's got to be worth an extra copy of the swimsuit issue.
4
This is scurrilous and lazy journalism. Rose's offense was hiring someone to take his SATs for him. Uh, typically you take your SATs before you get to college; how could Calipari conceivably have had anything to do with that? Beyond that, what's the charge, that he recruits the best players he can find? And Duke and Kansas don't? You might not like his style, but this is a cheap-shot piece that dishonors its author. Does anyone who really knows basketball think John Calipari isn't a first-rate basketball coach? If so, who, please?
10
To think that Rose couldn't have had Calipari supplied 'help' in taking his SAT's just because that happened prior to HS graduation is naive in the extreme. Kids are tracked and recruited from as young as age 13, and sometimes commit to a school by fifteen. Did you see LeBron James recent complaint to the press that colleges where sending letters of interest and scholarship offers to his TEN YEAR OLD son. Granted, ten is not typical. But schools are routinely following and 'recruiting' kids from their early teenage years. They try to get to know the families of the kid, their coaches, who their friends are, anything to get an inside tack on landed a young prospect. So it is entirely conceivable Rose could have received 'helped' with his SATs.
College basketball is all about the money. And it is BIG money. TV rights are worth BILLIONS. For instance, the ACC gets $3.6 BILLION over 15yrs, the Big 12 gets $2.6 billion; the PAC 12 $3 billion etc. Rules get bent and broken under the constant gravitational forces that type of money exerts.
Pay Pal Cal knows not only the game of basketball, but how to game the system.
College basketball is all about the money. And it is BIG money. TV rights are worth BILLIONS. For instance, the ACC gets $3.6 BILLION over 15yrs, the Big 12 gets $2.6 billion; the PAC 12 $3 billion etc. Rules get bent and broken under the constant gravitational forces that type of money exerts.
Pay Pal Cal knows not only the game of basketball, but how to game the system.
4
Let's be clear: No one ever found that Rose committed academic fraud. No one ever found that he didn't take his own test. Not the NCAA, not the Educational Testing Service that administered the test. Google "University of Memphis Public Infractions Report" and read it yourself. The NCAA is quite clear on this point.
And that's what makes the NCAA's punishment of Memphis such a travesty. They took away an entire season without sufficient evidence that Rose did anything wrong. To this day, they don't know whether he took the test.
The ETS cancelled his SAT score because he didn't respond to two letters of inquiry. Not for fraud, mind you, but for lack of cooperation. The NCAA then found itself with a player who no longer had a valid SAT score. Rather than view the ETS action as an inducement for Rose to cooperate, the NCAA lawyers reasoned this way: If Rose now had no valid SAT score, then he never had a valid SAT score and wasn't academically eligible to compete ab initio.
Never mind that the purpose of the SAT was to predict a student's chances of successfully completing his first year of college, something Rose demonstrated by performance. And never mind that when Rose competed, both the ETS and the NCAA recognized that he had a valid SAT score. The NCAA cleared him to play, and Memphis detrimentally relied on that clearance. The NCAA was therefore responsible in part for the supposed sin it was punishing.
This is what inspired Kafka.
And that's what makes the NCAA's punishment of Memphis such a travesty. They took away an entire season without sufficient evidence that Rose did anything wrong. To this day, they don't know whether he took the test.
The ETS cancelled his SAT score because he didn't respond to two letters of inquiry. Not for fraud, mind you, but for lack of cooperation. The NCAA then found itself with a player who no longer had a valid SAT score. Rather than view the ETS action as an inducement for Rose to cooperate, the NCAA lawyers reasoned this way: If Rose now had no valid SAT score, then he never had a valid SAT score and wasn't academically eligible to compete ab initio.
Never mind that the purpose of the SAT was to predict a student's chances of successfully completing his first year of college, something Rose demonstrated by performance. And never mind that when Rose competed, both the ETS and the NCAA recognized that he had a valid SAT score. The NCAA cleared him to play, and Memphis detrimentally relied on that clearance. The NCAA was therefore responsible in part for the supposed sin it was punishing.
This is what inspired Kafka.
Buy a clue. Maybe the NCAA should use facial recognition software to see all the pro agents in the stands. And you think they're going to a backwater place like UK to NOT have a conversation with a potential client?
I think Coach Cal is just an easy target in a very toxic system of college athletics. That said, 99% of athletes are really student-athletes, and only in basketball and football you get tend to get into the academic scandals that rock the system every once in a while. And we blame the NCAA (rightfully so, I might add), but we forget the people that really benefit from this system, NBA and NFL owners. Those billionaires make loads of money and basically get the benefit of a minor league from "student-athletes" that they don't have to develop and force students to earn academic credit that they really don't need. Why force a kid to go to school if he or she can become pro? A system where the NFL and the NBA have successful minor leagues, that catch the kids out of high school and hire them, etc. A system where if you decide to go to college, is to be a student-athlete for real, but you can leave anytime if you get hired. This system makes for good TV, but by corrupting universities and students and saving money to a bunch of millionaires. If you have real athletic talent and dedication, go pro immediately, why go to school?
10
The true "student-athletes" in non-income producing sports, despise the sheltered darlings of basketball and football, even in non-Division 3 schools. Special workout rooms just for them, their own personal trainers, luxury coaches to travel to games, special meals - you name it. Those who participate in non-income producing sports get a few crumbs and leftovers. They are the ones who play for the love of the game - few, if any, scholarships, and no extras. In fact, they make huge sacrifices to play sports. What a shame they are so poorly rewarded.
So, in other words, the fact that he was found not guilty of any infraction is meaningless? I do know that if he didn't care about his players, he wouldn't encourage them go to into the NBA, right? Wouldn't he want to discourage it? John Wall had a 3.5 gpa while at UK and took calculus. Players who could be at each other's throats actually shake the opponents' hands and call each other "brothers," and say it doesn't matter who had the stats. I get that UK isn't an NAIA team and it's big time college sports. But so are the other schools that are, you know, big time college sports, including the ones that on these pages are lauded. We'll keep Calipari and seeing players who care about each other and the communities they live in. And we'll watch them in the NBA.
16
I'm no fan of Kentucky or Calipari, but i think we are a little too free here calling a man(that we don't personally know) a sleazy cheat with no character.
After all it takes some character to consistently win at one of the most competitive circuses America has.
Can't we assume that:
He must know a lot, be a great teacher, motivator, very inspirational...
able to deal with pressure well. And we know he's a sharp dresser.
Who among us could take these young testosterone charged basketball freaks and mold them into such great teams year after year?
Before we lynch him the press, maybe we should acknowledge he has some real talents and maybe even ask ourselves Al Davis style just when this country became particular about how somebody wins? Just look around. If we know that Bill steals signals and Tom gets the balls he prefers, what don't we know?
Didn't we make Lance into a national flag waving hero without questioning what the rest of the world was?
There's something happening here. We've gone from John Wooden to Coach Cal, from Walter Cronkite to Brian Williams, from Dwight Eisenhower to Hil-Jeb-and another yahoo from Texas.
Tell us, Mr. Powell and staff, who are the good examples now?
Izo, Few, Mike, _______?
After all it takes some character to consistently win at one of the most competitive circuses America has.
Can't we assume that:
He must know a lot, be a great teacher, motivator, very inspirational...
able to deal with pressure well. And we know he's a sharp dresser.
Who among us could take these young testosterone charged basketball freaks and mold them into such great teams year after year?
Before we lynch him the press, maybe we should acknowledge he has some real talents and maybe even ask ourselves Al Davis style just when this country became particular about how somebody wins? Just look around. If we know that Bill steals signals and Tom gets the balls he prefers, what don't we know?
Didn't we make Lance into a national flag waving hero without questioning what the rest of the world was?
There's something happening here. We've gone from John Wooden to Coach Cal, from Walter Cronkite to Brian Williams, from Dwight Eisenhower to Hil-Jeb-and another yahoo from Texas.
Tell us, Mr. Powell and staff, who are the good examples now?
Izo, Few, Mike, _______?
8
Yes, Tom Izzo is running a clean program at Michigan State University. And his team is in the Sweet 16...again. We are very proud of our Spartans, our coach and our university.
2
Coach Cal is only following the industry role model, Coach Jim!
Unfortunately the great success of the academic programs at UMass has never been enough for the school and many of its alums. They have always been desperate for recognition and publicity for the sports programs and have felt underappreciated in the New England area. Just look at the $$$$$ that's being spent on the Div. 1A football dream.
3
Poor Calipari he is always victimized by his players wherever he goes. Just bad luck I guess???
Or is he a masterful manipulator of the corrupt to the core ncaa system????
Or is he a masterful manipulator of the corrupt to the core ncaa system????
5
Big time college hoops and football are really low grade minor league professional sports. If that's your thing, then you're paying a lot of money and attention to low grade minor league professional sports. Savvy fans should step up to the pro ranks and get out of the BIG FRAUD gutter. I mean really Calipari and his peers are not basketball geniuses, not by any meaningful standard. Financial guru? Maybe. Definitely.
1
College sports do develop prospects for the pros. But they are different from the minor leagues in many ways. Kids who have no chance at going pro often have great college careers. Many kids get athletic scholarships and use them to get their educations. Many kids make contacts that lead to jobs they otherwise wouldn't get. Some get out of the ghetto, away from poverty and violence, and greatly improve their lives. The notion that college sports are simply minor leagues ignores the many ways that ballplayers improve their lives. Your view has only a kernel of truth. Mostly you're wrong.
3
Wow, this is an almost unbelievably lazy rehash of not much. And the thing about Rose which somehow isn't seen to be relevant is that he was not under Calipari's wing yet when he took his SATs. Not sure how any coach confirms that his players actually took their own SATs. And as long as he's responsible for everything about Rose and Camby, is he supposed to be ashamed of how they turned out? From what I know, they are both pretty admired guys in the NBA. I mean, Camby played close to 20 years. I'm sure this was fun to write though. Ugh.
6
thanks for this comment. I'm not a big fan of Calipari or the money making universities that have exploited mostly Black college student athletes for many decades, but I'm still waiting for the NYT article about white tennis, baseball, and hockey players who never even think about college, because they're pursuing their dreams of professional sports success. I am not suggesting that college athletes shouldn't go to class or shouldn't be held accountable for their grades or missteps, but these articles are always about basketball and football, and almost always about Black athletes.
1
Coach Cal is still loved in Memphis. He was much more than a basketball coach while he was here. He was a strong positive influence on the whole Memphis area.
1
This can't be happening, the NCAA wouldn't have it, not to mention I would heard about it by now if it was. Is that guy really coaching Kentucky?
It's great to see the intelligentsia from the established status quo act naive. A two tier system in place: corporate America profits and endorses these gigs called college sports, and then washes it's hands when it's obvious these athletes show, beyond any reasonable doubt, they couldn't possible attend, let alone graduate, from a four year college worth being called an Institution of higher education
1
This guy leaves two basketball "programs" (what a great euphemism!) in utter disgrace and scandal and is lionized as a great coach? And one of the places he disgraced is 'retiring his number' now?
What does this tell us about the state of college basketball and "amateur" athletics in this country?
The only "magic" involved with Calipari is the "magic" of Michael Milken, Charles Keating, HSBC, Chase, and RBS! It's really called lying, cheating, and criminality!
What does this tell us about the state of college basketball and "amateur" athletics in this country?
The only "magic" involved with Calipari is the "magic" of Michael Milken, Charles Keating, HSBC, Chase, and RBS! It's really called lying, cheating, and criminality!
8
I played sports at a D3 state school in the early '70's. No scholarships, no athletic dorms, no special tutors - nothing. Coaches all had day jobs as Phys Ed instructors and teachers (SUNY school that graduated a lot of gym and health teachers) so no incentive to cheat to win the SUNYAC baseball or hockey championship. You went to class, got passing grades on your own and really were the "student athlete" that the talking heads are always blabbing about. Didn't draw big crowds (except for hockey but what else is there to do in upstate NY on the winter?) so the only reason to play was for the love of the game.
8
Why do these institutions of "higher learning" offer basketball scholarships? I don't see any degrees given in basketball.
1
I enjoyed UMass basketball with Camby on the floor and Cal on the sidelines.
I understood his departure, and cheered his return, and understood his next departure, and cheered his next return.
I also enjoyed watching UNLV play for the Shark.
No illusions. I dislike the holier than thou. Roy Williams has his UNC team in the Sweet Sixteen with NCAA folks baying and approaching. Roy, you're no better than Cal.
And Cal has a more wonderful life.
I understood his departure, and cheered his return, and understood his next departure, and cheered his next return.
I also enjoyed watching UNLV play for the Shark.
No illusions. I dislike the holier than thou. Roy Williams has his UNC team in the Sweet Sixteen with NCAA folks baying and approaching. Roy, you're no better than Cal.
And Cal has a more wonderful life.
He encourages his freshman stars to leave college for the NBA.
If ever there were proof that college sport is a business having nothing to do with educating "student athletes", there's a smoking gun.
If ever there were proof that college sport is a business having nothing to do with educating "student athletes", there's a smoking gun.
5
Actually, he has counseled several to not leave and they have been better served by it.
But, if a kid is going to be a first round draft choice with a guaranteed multi-million dollar contract, would you tell him to stay three more years and get his degree first? How ridiculous!
But, if a kid is going to be a first round draft choice with a guaranteed multi-million dollar contract, would you tell him to stay three more years and get his degree first? How ridiculous!
The money Marcus Camby received from agents was a drop in the bucket compared to the money that UMass made off of him.
1
To his credit, Camby repaid UMass for the tournament proceeds it had to return. But he couldn't undo what he did. Tom Yeager, the director of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions, described Calipari as "an innocent victim" in the matter. The coach, the rest of the team, and the university were all victims of Camby's transgression. That's the long and the short of it.
And yet, many fans blame Calipari as if he he did something wrong, as if he somehow cheated, as if the incident proved what a sleaze he was. I read a fan's angry comment yesterday blaming the forfeited games at UMass and Memphis on recruiting violations.
Why do people make things up and then believe them so strongly that you can't even talk to them? What kind of phenomenon is that?
And yet, many fans blame Calipari as if he he did something wrong, as if he somehow cheated, as if the incident proved what a sleaze he was. I read a fan's angry comment yesterday blaming the forfeited games at UMass and Memphis on recruiting violations.
Why do people make things up and then believe them so strongly that you can't even talk to them? What kind of phenomenon is that?
I'm a former student athlete that graduated and went on to teach and coach. I have watched Calipari, Meyer and Tressel all look the other way when all that mattered was the fat paycheck in their account and winning. I have won titles in my days and there is no feeling to compare that elation. However, every time they walked away clean, it made me sick! I played for an ex marine drill Sargent and he never bent rules, and I was taught you play the game honestly. What amazes me today is that these so called men, still believe they never did anything wrong! It isn't my place to judge, however, we need better examples of men teaching kids to be winners. Not only on a court or field but in LIFE! Whatever happened to doing it the right way...... All the way!!!
23
Amen!! Calipari in Mass was an embarassment, but he was aide and abetted by the University Administration. John C is like a Rainmaker at a law firm - as long he brings winners in, he will be clebrated. Yet he is no different then Ken Lay at Enron, or similar "business" successful CEO's.
1
Calipari is a symptom of a diseased system where talent trumps all and recruiting is king.
The fundamental problem with the NCAA system is that the talent should not pick their schools, the schools should pick their talent. From the playground up, athletes intuitively know that a system where parties pick talent from a pool is fair, and distributes talent equitably. Pro drafts reflect this concept. It’s an American core value, the concept of anti-trust.
Yet it is reversed in college, and top talent can join top talent to create monopolies of talent—juggernaut athletic programs. Coaches like Calipari are motivated to promote themselves and their programs, and coaching is secondary to building and preserving their brand and cult-of-personality. Rules violations are a predictable offshoot, anything to get the talent.
It’s time for a high school draft. High school athletes submit to a draft where worst pick first. Talent would be distributed equally, the pressure to recruit would vanish, as would rules violations, and the salaries of coaches would decline, as their roles would be reduced back to coaching and developing talent. The big-time programs and leagues would subside, and the system would be recast on parity. The best coaches, coaching with what they are dealt, would rise to the top, as they should, yet any given program would be expected to only have cyclical success based on a draft.
The fundamental problem with the NCAA system is that the talent should not pick their schools, the schools should pick their talent. From the playground up, athletes intuitively know that a system where parties pick talent from a pool is fair, and distributes talent equitably. Pro drafts reflect this concept. It’s an American core value, the concept of anti-trust.
Yet it is reversed in college, and top talent can join top talent to create monopolies of talent—juggernaut athletic programs. Coaches like Calipari are motivated to promote themselves and their programs, and coaching is secondary to building and preserving their brand and cult-of-personality. Rules violations are a predictable offshoot, anything to get the talent.
It’s time for a high school draft. High school athletes submit to a draft where worst pick first. Talent would be distributed equally, the pressure to recruit would vanish, as would rules violations, and the salaries of coaches would decline, as their roles would be reduced back to coaching and developing talent. The big-time programs and leagues would subside, and the system would be recast on parity. The best coaches, coaching with what they are dealt, would rise to the top, as they should, yet any given program would be expected to only have cyclical success based on a draft.
3
Yes.. the unfairness is not the fact that schools and the NCAA make hundreds of millions of dollars off of the unpaid labor of athletes-- the unfairness is that the unpaid athletes sometimes get to choose their schools.
1
Sounds like a good idea. Of course there'd be a lot of crying about 'personal freedoms being violated'. And the usual objections based on the misapplication of market theory to the college system.
I love this column. I see a metaphor for college sports in the story of Pinocchio. He was a great talent, but was he not an egoistic wooden puppet noted for his bad behavior? And Jiminy Cricket? Didn't Disney bring him on just to control the kid? And Japetto! Wasn't he running a hustle, too? Coming up with a potential all-star who wasn't even a kid? And didn't an angel came along and breathe life into the fix?
1
"a voluble Chevy salesman of a recruiter...." Perfect. With the cheap suits to prove it.
5
Go CATS! With three degrees from Ohio State--I know football and I remember the 'glory days' of OSU basketball with Knight and Jerry Lucas....I now live in Kentucky. Kentuckians know more about basketball than any NYT sportswriter. Additionally, they are loyal (and unbelievably polite) fans. KY High School tournaments are more exciting than most NBA games....and we love Coach Cal. What's your point? Go Big Blue!
6
Hall of Fame? The one for cheaters, maybe! Unfortunately, that would be a pretty big building these days. Nevertheless, he is a sleazeball of the highest order and I will root for any team that can knock him out of the tournament.
10
Even UNC? Now there is some (alleged) sleaze.
2
How about Louisville?
What about Louisville?
2
UMass is a fine, if not excellent, institution of higher learning. While it was nice that the university benefited from the limelight and prestige Calipari's success garnered it while he was there, it is only right that that success be tempered by noting the vacated Camby wins, and the appropriate place of basketball in the UMass academic mission be recognized. Moving down the road from Amherst to Springfield, I can only think that were he alive today, Dr. Naismith would be thoroughly disgusted, (and then some), by the corruption taking place under the name and color of his beautiful game.
11
Maybe you know that UMass is renewing its emphasis on football and basketball and so honoring Calipari gives their programs more of a history and helps in recruiting.
There are concerns in Coach Calipari's record--no doubt about it. And there are concerns about other programs, but for some reason they don't get the same play in the national media as Cal's. Why? Maybe it's because Kentucky is an easy target; we hillbillies don't read that well, don't cha know. Or maybe the UMass experience ruffled a lot of UMass alums' feathers and they just can't forgive. Or maybe the can't find the stories about North Carolina creating fake college classes for its athletes. Or... or... or... Who knows.
What I do know is that it's a gross exaggeration to say UK's players would have received more playing time if they had decided to "major in medieval literature and star for East Sheboygan State"--an exaggeration that belittles what these players have achieved as a team. Every columnist under the sun has written about today's self-centered athlete, who's more focused on himself than his team. Yet this year at Kentucky, 10 guys made a choice to sacrifice personal stats for team success, on the off chance that that team success might be more rewarding. And these 10 guys could start on any other team in the NCAA. Not just East Sheboygan State.
This rehashed criticism is inevitable since the Times's can't repeat last year's harping on one-and-done, especially since the Almighty K has embraced the philosophy. Regardless, Coach Cal has done at Kentucky this year what no other coach has done. UK's historic 36-0 record proves it.
What I do know is that it's a gross exaggeration to say UK's players would have received more playing time if they had decided to "major in medieval literature and star for East Sheboygan State"--an exaggeration that belittles what these players have achieved as a team. Every columnist under the sun has written about today's self-centered athlete, who's more focused on himself than his team. Yet this year at Kentucky, 10 guys made a choice to sacrifice personal stats for team success, on the off chance that that team success might be more rewarding. And these 10 guys could start on any other team in the NCAA. Not just East Sheboygan State.
This rehashed criticism is inevitable since the Times's can't repeat last year's harping on one-and-done, especially since the Almighty K has embraced the philosophy. Regardless, Coach Cal has done at Kentucky this year what no other coach has done. UK's historic 36-0 record proves it.
14
We must have bread and circus no matter the cost.
14
Calipari is an unlikeable hustler. He games the system. As the article says, he places emphasis on the venal and elides things.
However, his success, particularly at Kentucky underscores a simple adage: "It's all about how you obtain the players," i.e. the quality of the players.
In football, John Madden used to say, "It does not matter whether you use an attack defense or a contain defense, you just needs guys," i.e. guys who can play.
This fact turns people off. The success of Kentucky and Calipari vitiates the traditional nature of college basketball. Coaching is integral to college basketball. Calipari's very tall, very mature & muscular, and very NBA-talented squad just overwhelms opponents with one-and-done players, or guys who hang around a couple years in order to turn pro.
No amount of coaching can elevate a team to compete with Calipari's NBA players. That's not college basketball.
Secondly, in college there was a place for a less-than-NBA player who with hard work and good technique could be a fine player in the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, or PAC12. In Calipari's system those players are nonexistent. And those types generally do not fare well versus Calipari's Goliath. A David in the college basketball of today has no chance.
Let's face it, College basketball is not as much fun as it used to be. It has been tainted and warped by NBA money and ESPN money. That's not Calipari's fault. But his methods crystallize that idea.
However, his success, particularly at Kentucky underscores a simple adage: "It's all about how you obtain the players," i.e. the quality of the players.
In football, John Madden used to say, "It does not matter whether you use an attack defense or a contain defense, you just needs guys," i.e. guys who can play.
This fact turns people off. The success of Kentucky and Calipari vitiates the traditional nature of college basketball. Coaching is integral to college basketball. Calipari's very tall, very mature & muscular, and very NBA-talented squad just overwhelms opponents with one-and-done players, or guys who hang around a couple years in order to turn pro.
No amount of coaching can elevate a team to compete with Calipari's NBA players. That's not college basketball.
Secondly, in college there was a place for a less-than-NBA player who with hard work and good technique could be a fine player in the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, or PAC12. In Calipari's system those players are nonexistent. And those types generally do not fare well versus Calipari's Goliath. A David in the college basketball of today has no chance.
Let's face it, College basketball is not as much fun as it used to be. It has been tainted and warped by NBA money and ESPN money. That's not Calipari's fault. But his methods crystallize that idea.
40
There still is a place for those players; some of them have even started or played meaningful roles for Calipari's UK Final Four teams. This year's team, with 9 McDonald's All-Americans (now eight active ones) is an aberration. Twice (2011 and 2014), Cal got a lot out of players who barely or never sniffed the NBA (or never will) and his teams made tournament runs because of them. Even his one title team needed a senior to provide leadership and a spark off the bench; Darius Miller didn't exactly go in the lottery.
2
Both the 2011 and 2014 teams were loaded with future NBA players. Cal does excel at getting stars to accept their roles and play together and, given the fact that his last few teams at Memphis and all of his teams at UK have had multiple stars, that is quite an accomplishment. And, while I think Cal has got to be guilty of something (but too slick to get caught), anybody that thinks that the methods used to get players to sign is dirtier than that of coaches at other schools, including some of the nation's most prestigious institutions, is kidding themselves.
1
Are you suggesting that he should recruit only players who aren't NBA material?
I like college basketball and I love living in Massachusetts (Boston) but have never liked anything about Coach Calipari even when he coached Marcus Camby at UMass. Yes the basketball was exciting and fun but the stench was off-putting. At the time UMass was trying to raise its status and hitched its wagon to the wrong star. Last evening I watched a local program, Chronicle, report a story featuring Match Day at UMass Medical School and the emphasis was on a world class medical education received at a public university and the accomplishments of these students. This is the UMass I prefer to focus upon and, for the life of me, can't figure out why the school would choose to honor Coach Calipari now or ever. It is totally mind boggling and Coach Calipari is as sleazy as they come. I have nothing against Kentucky basketball other than their coach!
37
UK basketball *is* its coach. Sure, UK admins pretended this wasn't the case in '07 when it didn't seriously consider Calipari because of what happened at UMass and Memphis. Two years of Billy Clyde sobered them and the donors up something fierce. Today's star high school players, unless they are from KY, do not care about the dusty banners that hang in Rupp Arena, particularly the ones from all-white teams led by Rupp. They want to get to the NBA, ideally drafted in a spot that gives them a chance to succeed. They know Cal will get his, but they also know he will say things like "the greatest day in Kentucky basketball" and NOT be referring to a championship. They know they'll hear from current NBA stars telling them to keep their heads up when Cal, invariably, screams at them with incredulity.
Perhaps more than any coach at any other program, he *is* the program. Once he leaves it is very likely to collapse into mediocrity (or worse) unless the alums raise the money to pay top-dollar for someone who is likely in the NBA now or will be then. That is what it took in 1989. And it worked.
A lot of people will also no longer have anything against UK basketball... when it stops winning 30 games almost every year. It's the University of Calipari, yes, a lot of trust from a fanbase that barely survived the Chris Mills fiasco. We'll see, after he leaves/retires, if his team's banners remain. If they don't, UK fans will deserve all the humiliation and ridicule we will receive.
Perhaps more than any coach at any other program, he *is* the program. Once he leaves it is very likely to collapse into mediocrity (or worse) unless the alums raise the money to pay top-dollar for someone who is likely in the NBA now or will be then. That is what it took in 1989. And it worked.
A lot of people will also no longer have anything against UK basketball... when it stops winning 30 games almost every year. It's the University of Calipari, yes, a lot of trust from a fanbase that barely survived the Chris Mills fiasco. We'll see, after he leaves/retires, if his team's banners remain. If they don't, UK fans will deserve all the humiliation and ridicule we will receive.
6
The UK fans won't care at all. Read in the comments section when an uncomplimentary article about UK is published. The alums of UK and residents of the State almost to a person sound off in support of their current team/coach.
5
Perhaps we have a little more knowledge of the true situation than many of the critics?
Was there mention that all of these universities hire the best coaches because of their commitment to win and not because of their commitment to graduate players? Was there mention of the fact that the NCAA and the universities make enormous profits from these star athletes but they share none of the proceeds with them even though most are broke?
7
Oh they share a LOT of the proceeds with them! Free tuition and room/board, special dorms/special meals. Free shoes etc. Then there are the free tutors (many of whom actually write their papers), and the free personal trainers. Many restaurants automatically comp their meals as well. And this does not include helping them find agents and al the exposure they get to the pros.
I share the opinion that it is STILL different for Italian American coaches in regard to the coverage of infractions. A hangover from the "Godfather" syndrome.
1
amen to this. without a vowel at the end of his name and slick hair, he'd be getting about as much of this (childishly sarcastic and superficial) negative coverage from this newspaper as Jim B. and Roy Williams are getting.
Being in a state that is also a used as a punching bag for the regional bigotries often displayed in these pages doesn't help Cal either.
Being in a state that is also a used as a punching bag for the regional bigotries often displayed in these pages doesn't help Cal either.
1
It's easy to mock and ridicule Calipari, especially when he's at the top of his profession, but:
- UMass (and Calipari) gain no advantage if, after Camby has been successful at UMass, receives gifts or money from agents. Calipari didn't gain an advantage - this is very different than boosters paying high school kids to lure them to their school. Top undergrads and MBA students get cash signing bonuses while seniors for committing to a job post-graduation.
- Most of this article is mocking the way graduation statistics are calculated. 1) That's not his fault. 2) Why shouldn't a Anthony Davis (3 yr $16M rookie contract) or Michael Carter-Williams ($3 yr, $6.9M) leave school early instead of staying under the rule of the NCAA, where getting cream cheese on a bagel is considered an extra benefit and a rule violation.
- UMass (and Calipari) gain no advantage if, after Camby has been successful at UMass, receives gifts or money from agents. Calipari didn't gain an advantage - this is very different than boosters paying high school kids to lure them to their school. Top undergrads and MBA students get cash signing bonuses while seniors for committing to a job post-graduation.
- Most of this article is mocking the way graduation statistics are calculated. 1) That's not his fault. 2) Why shouldn't a Anthony Davis (3 yr $16M rookie contract) or Michael Carter-Williams ($3 yr, $6.9M) leave school early instead of staying under the rule of the NCAA, where getting cream cheese on a bagel is considered an extra benefit and a rule violation.
7
This article is nothing but a snarky attempt at sportswriting that ignores the type of people Cal recruits at KY and their success (academic and professional) by insinuating past and current wrongdoing (without proof of Cal's connection) and attempting to associate him with other coaches at other programs. It's a verbal representation of the lowest common denominator of KY/Caliperi-hating. I'd expect at least at little more from Powell, but then again he was always better in Metro or the Post's Style.
6
LOL, academic success? Stop, please, you're killing me here!
21
Well the number of senior graduates equals academic success, and the number of NBA players earning more money than you and I fill out the professional side. Add to that the charity work and ego sacrifice players make with regard to minute and stats, and I'd say you'd be hard pressed to try and compare Cal's Uk teams to some sort of Fab 5 of UNLV corruption. I have no problems with how he coaches, and most other people who complain just toss out tired accusations. If your coach does the same thing but isn't as good at it that's not Kentucky's problem.
3
It's just not possible to have a rational conversation about Calipari. You invariably get the "Cheater!" and "Fraud!" strangely enough, from some of the same people who still revere Bob Knight(!). Their only recourse is taunt UK fans that its 2011, 2012, 2014... banners will all come down someday, presumably after Cal has slipped out of town ahead of the NCAA's Infractions Committee. Or you hear from (now) the UK fanbase, where the man has been extolled as no one has since the odious Rupp left campus, even more so than (the now-bitter 1-7) Pitino at his zenith in Lexington.
It's rather believable that Cal didn't know much about Camby's outside activities/income because he was spending his time trademarking "Refuse to Lose" and transparently angling for a more prestigious job. Calipari is wrong to say his UMass' banner (and 35-2 record) should be restored, just as he is wrong to say that Memphis' banner (and 38-2 record) should get the same treatment. Both teams starred an ineligible player. Calipari, at least at present, differs from Tressel in that the latter played stars he had strong reason to believe were ineligible, a.k.a., cheating.
With Cal it is about his players *and* him. It is not about UK. His players trust him to look out for their long-term basketball interest and he does so in ways other coaches (and, yes, media members) find unnerving. This causes even his good ideas for the game to be dismissed because people don't take him seriously.
- UK graduate :)
It's rather believable that Cal didn't know much about Camby's outside activities/income because he was spending his time trademarking "Refuse to Lose" and transparently angling for a more prestigious job. Calipari is wrong to say his UMass' banner (and 35-2 record) should be restored, just as he is wrong to say that Memphis' banner (and 38-2 record) should get the same treatment. Both teams starred an ineligible player. Calipari, at least at present, differs from Tressel in that the latter played stars he had strong reason to believe were ineligible, a.k.a., cheating.
With Cal it is about his players *and* him. It is not about UK. His players trust him to look out for their long-term basketball interest and he does so in ways other coaches (and, yes, media members) find unnerving. This causes even his good ideas for the game to be dismissed because people don't take him seriously.
- UK graduate :)
9
Calipari's a sleazeball, always has been and always will be. Unfortunately, the NCAA has aided and abetted him by making his coaching and recruiting practices legal and making a farce out the the term "student athlete."
27
Should Coach Cal be honored? Certainly, UMass was amazing that year because of John Calipari and Marcus Camby. But Camby committed the infractions. Camby took the money. Camby talk to the agents. Camby hired the prostitutes. Camby was the bad guy. Did Calipari know about this stuff? I don't know but then he goes to Memphis and similar things happen involving another high-profile future NBA player, Derrick Rose. I mean, I could understand UMass' argument if Calipari didn't have similar problems elsewhere. But how many times is a coach allowed to run a program that's not in control?
24
@teo...I think your last sentence is crucial.
7
Oh, what a surprise! Powerful people cutting corners for personal and institutional gain! At least Calipari wasn't complicite in sending the country to war like was your newspaper Mr. Powell. Yes, the NYT like the NCAA and UMASS is complicit and often hypocritical in forwarding it's own interests. I guess that makes you tool, just like Coach Calipari.
3
Thank you, Mr. Powell.
There is corruption with a lower case c and corruption with a capital C, and then there's the NCAA, a couple notches higher still. Leave coaching to coaches, recruiting to recruiters, and education to the colleges. And let the kids who play sports to be paid a reasonable amount. The NCAA is a business whose main asset is "free." Wishing otherwise is twee. Pretending otherwise is foolish.
There is corruption with a lower case c and corruption with a capital C, and then there's the NCAA, a couple notches higher still. Leave coaching to coaches, recruiting to recruiters, and education to the colleges. And let the kids who play sports to be paid a reasonable amount. The NCAA is a business whose main asset is "free." Wishing otherwise is twee. Pretending otherwise is foolish.
9
Coach Calipari and the University of Kentucky atrracts a lot of jealousy. This writer probably hates the Yankees as well!
2
Only because he's a slimeball and Kentucky is demeaned by hiring him and facilitating his recruiting practices that make a farce out the the term "student athlete."
17
Kentucky player don't have to physically go to class. It's all online for them.
2
Absolute nonsense.
1
NCAA basketball is NOT college basketball. It is indentured service of athletes under the guise of students.
11
"Indentured service"? You've got to be kidding! They get a free ride, live in special housing, get special meals and are treated like gods! They also get free tutoring.
If that's "indentured service", where do I sign up my squash-playing grandson!
If that's "indentured service", where do I sign up my squash-playing grandson!
1
Big time college sports are corrupt to the core, and we all know it. Yet, nothing is being done. All the points raised in the article are spot on, but for some reason, no one cares? Since the President of the United States is a big time fan of totally corrupt UNC-Chapel Hill, reform of college sports does not appear to be on the horizon.
3
Nice way to bring politics into the discussion by needlessly slamming President Obama.
28
Funny-I like Obama-voted for him twice-still his wear his Change T-shirts, and saw him speak in the Smith Center. Yet, UNC-Chapel Hill is totally corrupt in the college sports arena. There are pictures of Obama all over Chapel Hill with UNC Basketball players who took fake classes to stay academically eligible. My point was if what your doing so popular that the President is a supporter, there will be little reform.
I get your point, I guess. But Obama, who I also voted for twice, has no more authority to clean up college basketball than the man in the moon. As we saw in 2008, the most corrupt and dangerous companies are US banks, and they've just ignored or marginalized attempts at reform. This is America and winning and money are all that counts. These forces are too powerful for one individual to take on.
2
The NCAA is a corrupt organization, which enriches unethical coaches and schools, and penalizes students.
And the media are part of the problem, as they are caught up in the Wildcats' attempt to go undefeated and almost completely ignore this coach's very checkered past and his highly implausible claims of ignorance of wrong doing under his watch.
Some karmic justice, please--go, West Virginia!!
And the media are part of the problem, as they are caught up in the Wildcats' attempt to go undefeated and almost completely ignore this coach's very checkered past and his highly implausible claims of ignorance of wrong doing under his watch.
Some karmic justice, please--go, West Virginia!!
9
Don't go there with West Virginia. Their coach has a very similar past. You have top succeed to be in the club and, if you are, you will not be penalized for almost anything unsavory.
11
And, the media, in general, is complicit, especially ESPN. All you have to do is listen to Dickie V. go on and on about the virtues of Coach Cal, Coach Rick, "the general" (btw, was Bob Knight ever in the Army? Being coach at the Point doesn't count), et.al.
Many in the media act as unpaid publicists for these errant coaches. It's all very strange in this era when nearly every public figure is under a microscope. Back to Dickie V... a few years ago, when Coach Rick had his misadventure with another coach's wife, Dickie V complained that there was some kind of conspiracy against Italian coaches. His superiors in Bristol quickly told him to let that line drop.
Many in the media act as unpaid publicists for these errant coaches. It's all very strange in this era when nearly every public figure is under a microscope. Back to Dickie V... a few years ago, when Coach Rick had his misadventure with another coach's wife, Dickie V complained that there was some kind of conspiracy against Italian coaches. His superiors in Bristol quickly told him to let that line drop.
31
True Patrick. During the UVA / Louisville game couple of weeks ago, Dickie V. wasted a few minutes when the game was tightening up to explode against criticism of Boeheim, declaring him a good guy because "I know him." Meanwhile a dull game became exciting while no one was calling play by play. What were his partner and ESPN thinking?
6