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NCAA punishes USC - Reggie Bush, OJ Mayo, Dwayne Jarrett, Joe McKnight investigation

I maintain that it goes back to pressure from the media, not the NCAA, that gets these things rolling.

Honestly, how much has espin, THE major media sports news outlet, really paid attention to this? Not much IMO.

Dan Patrick once made the comment that the pressure to BREAK news at espin is immense. He said that's why he feels bad for guys like John Clayton because their jobs are on the line as far as breaking new information about the NFL. Are you telling me that a go getter (maybe Tom Friend?) at espin couldn't fly out to So Cal and start asking questions?

Shit, these guys camped out in Andy Geiger's garage during the Mo C fiasco. They ended up driving a good man into retirement and definitely not on Andy's terms. Based on what? The words of a psycho (that teacher's aide) and a known liar (Clarett). Then Troy Smith took $500 from someone and that all of a sudden gave credence to EVERYTHING else that had been alleged. espin has reported jack shit about USC. Why?

No national media pressure = no pressure at all. The national media pressure is what is going to force the NCAA's hand, IMO.
 
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ysubuck;1651108; said:
I maintain that it goes back to pressure from the media, not the NCAA, that gets these things rolling.

Honestly, how much has espin, THE major media sports news outlet, really paid attention to this? Not much IMO.

Dan Patrick once made the comment that the pressure to BREAK news at espin is immense. He said that's why he feels bad for guys like John Clayton because their jobs are on the line as far as breaking new information about the NFL. Are you telling me that a go getter (maybe Tom Friend?) at espin couldn't fly out to So Cal and start asking questions?

[censored], these guys camped out in Andy Geiger's garage during the Mo C fiasco. They ended up driving a good man into retirement and definitely not on Andy's terms. Based on what? The words of a psycho (that teacher's aide) and a known liar (Clarett). Then Troy Smith took $500 from someone and that all of a sudden gave credence to EVERYTHING else that had been alleged. espin has reported jack [censored] about USC. Why?

No national media pressure = no pressure at all. The national media pressure is what is going to force the NCAA's hand, IMO.

The disconnect between how OSU was treated and how USC is beening handled has been the subject of periodic rants/questions throughout this thread and the entire saga..... including many from me.

All I can think is that the media actually recognized they jumped the shark tank wrt to OSU...I mean ESPN didn't even bother to cover our Fiesta Bowl with K State as they were too preoccupied with bashing our program while the game played out below... virtually ignored in the broadcast booth in favor of wagging their fingers at OSU's conduct.

So IMO three things are happening:

1) I think they (the media) recognize they overplayed their hand toward OSU and are a bit more cautious

2) The media loves USC's style and glitz and don't want to see the party end..esp. since USC seems to accommodate the star glazing media and play up their 'celebrity status' while including/inviting the media to join in on the fun and the spotlight.

3) ESPN didn't break this story so they are trying not to make a big deal out if it since they got scooped. And the longer they went without acknowledging it the more they slipped into the same spot as USC: they have gone this far without correcting it....now it seems both USC and ESPN hope it just blows over because too much time has passed to swallow their humility and man up to their culpability and admit they missed the story (media) / cheated (USC).....
 
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HINYG8;1651217; said:
The disconnect between how OSU was treated and how USC is beening handled has been the subject of periodic rants/questions throughout this thread and the entire saga..... including many from me.

All I can think is that the media actually recognized they jumped the shark tank wrt to OSU...I mean ESPN didn't even bother to cover our Fiesta Bowl with K State as they were too preoccupied with bashing our program while the game played out below... virtually ignored in the broadcast booth in favor of wagging their fingers at OSU's conduct.
2004 Alamo Bowl, not 2004 Fiesta.

As to your 3 points, ESPN might be hedging that bet... There's decent reason to believe that the NCAA also considered bombing the SC program as "bad for business" considering they are the primary force west of... say.. Texas
 
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I've heard a number of rumors but have alwasy been to lazy to look it up. But the Pres/CEO of ESPN or ABC is said to be a USC grad and has made sure this is nothing more than a minor story.

I'm shocked that CNN/SI/NBC or a few others have not teamed up and forced this on America.
 
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ScarletVader;1651234; said:
I've heard a number of rumors but have alwasy been to lazy to look it up. But the Pres/CEO of ESPN or ABC is said to be a USC grad and has made sure this is nothing more than a minor story.

I'm shocked that CNN/SI/NBC or a few others have not teamed up and forced this on America.


I dont' think "America" cares one way or the other about the USC football program so you won't see it on a mainstream news outlet. Not sure about Sports Illustrated. I have a subscription and haven't seen a story on it which is surprising. You would think that they would be interviewing Lloyd Lake and at least getting his side. Of course, USC isn't talking and that doesn't make for much of a story I suppose.

Don't get me wrong. I don't wish this upon anyone as a fan who has lived through a witch hunt. But if nothing is going to be done then guys who truly don't care about the rules (Lane Kiffin and Ed Orgeron to name just two) will continue to get away with committing "little" infractions here and there.

Ohio State and Troy Smith got butchered because Troy took $500 from a booster. If Lane sends a few limos to pick up recruits that easily goes beyond the $500 that Troy took (and paid back).
 
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HINYG8;1651217; said:
The disconnect between how OSU was treated and how USC is beening handled has been the subject of periodic rants/questions throughout this thread and the entire saga..... including many from me.

All I can think is that the media actually recognized they jumped the shark tank wrt to OSU...I mean ESPN didn't even bother to cover our Fiesta Bowl with K State as they were too preoccupied with bashing our program while the game played out below... virtually ignored in the broadcast booth in favor of wagging their fingers at OSU's conduct.

So IMO three things are happening:

1) I think they (the media) recognize they overplayed their hand toward OSU and are a bit more cautious

2) The media loves USC's style and glitz and don't want to see the party end..esp. since USC seems to accommodate the star glazing media and play up their 'celebrity status' while including/inviting the media to join in on the fun and the spotlight.

3) ESPN didn't break this story so they are trying not to make a big deal out if it since they got scooped. And the longer they went without acknowledging it the more they slipped into the same spot as USC: they have gone this far without correcting it....now it seems both USC and ESPN hope it just blows over because too much time has passed to swallow their humility and man up to their culpability and admit they missed the story (media) / cheated (USC).....

Without USC there is no west coast college football program to sell to the nation's single biggest market west of the Hudson. Take OSU down and you can still sell Penn State, Michigan and Notre Dame and to a lesser extent Iowa, Purdue and Michigan State. But without a hook to draw in the LA market you aren't going to sell much air time west of the Pecos.
 
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ScarletVader;1651234; said:
I've heard a number of rumors but have alwasy been to lazy to look it up. But the Pres/CEO of ESPN or ABC is said to be a USC grad and has made sure this is nothing more than a minor story.

I'm shocked that CNN/SI/NBC or a few others have not teamed up and forced this on America.
The President of ESPN and ABC Sports is George Bodenheimer, who graduated from Denison.

ESPN's VP and director of news is Vince Doria, an OSU grad. Doria has more sway in day-to-day operations than anybody else at the network, and even he couldn't (or didn't) stop the smear campaign in '03 & '04.
 
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USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett opens up, just a bit

Garrett's gruff manner has made enemies, but now he might need every friend he can get as NCAA storm clouds gather above his successful program. So he's making a try at letting his guard down.

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Mike Garrett brought a Heisman Trophy to Heritage Hall when he played for USC in the 1960s, and he has helped the Trojans become a national powerhouse in several sports since becoming athletic director. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times / February 10, 2010)

The frown that Mike Garrett often wears in public, an expression made of blunt features set hard as stone, gives way to something unexpected. His eyes glisten with tears.

"I frankly don't know why I'm being so emotional," he says.

This is not the USC tailback from the 1960s, bulling his way to a Heisman Trophy. Not the gruff athletic director who has presided over sports at his alma mater for two decades, winning championships by the fistful.

Entire article: USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett opens up, just a bit - latimes.com
 
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ScriptOhio;1660157; said:
Garrett's gruff manner has made enemies, but now he might need every friend he can get as NCAA storm clouds gather above his successful program. So he's making a try at letting his guard down.


No sympathy from me...and I personally interpret his sudden contriteness as a a sign that he has an admission/recognition of lack of control.

I would be more sympathetic if I hadn't watched our AD drug over the coals and through the public meat grinder for what were far less substantiated violations that were far less egregious, that didn't continue over the course of years, and spanned multiple programs.

If he thinks he is feeling the heat..he should ask Andy Geiger what it really feels like to face the full furry of the NCAA and the media. The press has been kind to USC...and while Garrett may be a great man..I KNOW Geiger is and the media put him on a witch trial.

The fact that we are years and years removed from the events without a pause or change at USC tells me they didn't see the need to adjust their approach to compliance even though several athelets receieved significant (as in far more than Troy's $500) extra benefits.

I have no axe to grind with USC....but I am still so disgusted by how OSU was treated and how USC has been left to slip into the darkenss for years. I hate the duplicious nature of the press, their double standards, and their hypocrisy.

My finger pointing at USC is really about the press..and while that may make me petty and small.... at least I am big enough to admit it. :paranoid:
 
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Under Garrett, USC athletics programs have committed several violations that most probably should be interpreted as failure to monitor. That is all. If he has tears in his eyes, it's because he knows that despite all the payoffs for silence and the opportunities hide violations by those responsible, its time to stand and be held to account.
 
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USC's coming day in 'court' probably won't be pleasant

USC, facing allegations of wrongdoing in football and men's basketball, goes before NCAA Infractions Committee on Thursday. Veterans of the process say it will resemble a judicial proceeding, and USC officials could feel like they?re on the hot seat.

It wasn't long ago that R.C. Johnson appeared before the NCAA Infractions Committee, and he doesn't envy USC officials who this week will defend their athletic department against allegations of college rules violations.

Johnson is the athletic director at Memphis, and last year, his school was punished for major rules infractions in men's basketball and women's golf.

"It's no cup of coffee," Johnson said of his appearance. "I absolutely hated being in there."

USC's hearing begins Thursday, and experts say what will take place behind the closed doors in a hotel conference room in Tempe, Ariz., will be similar to a court hearing -- with the NCAA enforcement staff acting as prosecutor, USC officials as defendants and the 10-member infractions committee as judge and jury.

A court reporter will be present and the proceedings are recorded.

"It's an intimidating room," said Brian Battle, Florida State's compliance director, who participated in a 2008 infractions committee hearing. "Someone said it's like visiting a funeral home. It's not that bad, but you feel like you're going to court."

Both sides will give opening statements, the enforcement staff will outline evidence it gathered and USC will give an overview of its case. Committee members then have an opportunity to question both sides. After that, USC and then the enforcement staff will make closing statements.

And then: "We hear the evidence, and if the finding is adverse to the university's position, we will impose a penalty," said Paul Dee, chairman of the committee.

While no one would confirm who is scheduled to appear, NCAA literature on infractions meetings indicates that USC's contingent probably will include Athletic Director Mike Garrett, the university's compliance director and faculty athletic representative, attorneys, and perhaps even school President Steven B. Sample.

Entire LA Times article: USC's coming day in 'court' probably won't be pleasant - latimes.com
 
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I know odds are the NCAA does a whole lot of nothing but I can't express how much I want the USC admins walking out of that room feeling like they got bored out about 40 over by a syphilitic elephant.
 
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