Muller: Newton 'Effect' Could Reach Big Ten
The mission statement of the NCAA is simple:
"To govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount."
Really?
Let's talk about the Cam Newton situation for a minute then NCAA, and let's REALLY see if you practice what you preach.
Cam Newton, the star quarterback of Auburn University, has been under constant scrutiny this season due to the allegations that his father Cecil Newton was soliciting "pay for play" opportunities for his son. The Newton's were allegedly offered $180,000 for Cam to play football at Mississippi State University. As we all know, Cam did not end up playing for Mississippi State. He opted to sign with Auburn University instead and has led the Tigers to an undefeated record (12-0) and a potential birth in the BCS National Championship game with a victory over South Carolina this weekend.
Here is where the story gets a little "funny"….
Cam Newton was ruled ineligible to play in the SEC title game this past Tuesday. Auburn University then appealed the suspension immediately. On Wednesday, Auburn won its appeal.
The reason for the sudden re-instatement of Cam Newton: the rule-of-agency principle established by the NCAA had not been broken.
What?
How can anyone honestly believe that principle does not apply to this situation? Cecil Newton was actively shopping his son's talents to Mississippi State! Sounds like a player representative to me…
But since Cam Newton decided to play at Auburn, instead of Mississippi State, the NCAA believed that neither he nor Auburn had ANY knowledge of Cecil's shenanigans.
Yeah…sure.
Either the NCAA really believes the smoke they are blowing out of their respective rear-ends, or they think college sports fans are the most gullible group of people on the planet.
One thing is for sure. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany is not buying it one bit.
In response to the NCAA ruling, Delany said, "Here, who is closer to a player than the parent?" "If that person is found to be shopping that player, I think the –rule-of-agency principle could easily apply. I would argue in the environment we're in that it should apply."
I couldn't have said it any better myself Mr. Delany. I can't come up with any way to differentiate what Cecil Newton did and what an agent does. I don't think anyone with common sense could either.
In an effort to clarify the ruling, NCAA President Mark Emmert said: "We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could 'shop around' a student-athlete and there would possibly no be repercussions on the student-athlete's eligibility."
Bravo Mr. Emmert! Thank you for recognizing that people are a little ticked off at your piss-poor excuse of an investigation and the lack of accountability towards the actions of ALL parties involved. There is not a sane person out there that believes Cam and Auburn had no idea this was going on. If Cecil Newton turned down $180,000 for his son to attend Mississippi State, how much did it cost Auburn to secure his talents? You sir, and the entire NCAA rules infractions committee, are the morons.
Meanwhile in Big Ten Country:
Schools like Northwestern and Illinois (just as an example) are already fighting an uphill battle in the scum-coated under belly that is recruiting. The minimum academic requirements, for potential recruits, are much higher at these institutions (and all of the Big Ten member schools in general) as opposed to Auburn or a Mississippi State. The same goes for Notre Dame too. Now don't get me wrong. Notre Dame still pulls in its share of high-profile recruits. Northwestern has turned its football program into a consistent winner. Illinois has its good years and bad years and has the potential to be a consistent winner. But how much better could these schools be (and most of the Big Ten) if the rules "magically" didn't apply to them?
Apparently a new recruiting tactic can be applied by the Big Ten member schools and Notre Dame. Have a recruit "play dumb" and act as if your institution had no idea improprieties were being offered to family members of said recruit. That way, the family can make a good amount of coin acting as an agent, the "student-athlete" gets the opportunity to receive a free education, and the university can compete for a national championship with a roster full of ineligible players and not face probation. After all, nobody knew it was going on right?
Pretty sweet racket huh?
As they say down South: If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'!
Winning is great, but not at the expense of soiling your reputation.
Jim Delaney and Jack Swarbrick should take solace in knowing that a "win at all costs" attitude has not infected The Big Ten and Notre Dame.
At least for now anyway…….that we know of????
Shawn Muller has lived in Chicago for 7 years. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and just recently received his certificate in radio broadcasting in October of 2010. Sports have always been a passion of Shawn's. In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa and 3 year old daughter Ava, catching any live sporting event, and traveling. Check out his radio show, "Grab Some Bench with Muller and Bangser" at www.blogtalkradio.com/spmuller24.
