Miami Hurricanes Football: Has The NCAA Gone Too Far?
July 23, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NCAA president Mark Emmert speaks during a press conference at the NCAA Headquarters to announce corrective and punitive measures against Penn State University for the child abuse committed by former Penn State Nittany Lions assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
The Miami Herald has uncovered an ultimatum written by Molly Richman, the Assistant Director of Enforcement, that was reportedly sent to the attorney’s of former Miami players who have been listed in the Nevin Shapiro case. According to the letter, players have until Friday to speak with the NCAA regarding their involvement with the former UM booster turned convicted Ponzi Schemer.
Now as it appears, certainly in the eyes of the NCAA, Miami is guilty until proven innocent – no question about it. They are giving everything they have to finish off Miami once and for all. The NCAA has sunken so low as to take the word of a convicted felon.
Why would the NCAA essentially extort former players into speaking with them? One of the most obvious reasons would be that their investigation has uncovered nothing new, literally. A few dinner receipts and some old phone records hold very little merit in the court of public opinion. The NCAA has exhausted a ridiculous amount of money trying to bury UM and as it stands, there has only been some minor violations committed by former players – accepting a little bit of cash, eating the occasional steak dinner and visiting various strip clubs while tom-catting around South Beach – big deal.
In an article published by CBS Sports, “The former Miami players [being accused] are either out of football or in the NFL. It would be solely up to them to cooperate with the NCAA.”
So what happens then if these former players fail to cooperate with the NCAA in their investigation? Is this seen as guilt and therefore reason for further punishment. Does the fifth amendment still exist and is it frowned upon? Is the two consecutive bowl bans that Miami has self-imposed not enough? It is not like Miami, as a football team, had benefited from the impermissible benefits – that is, Miami was not winning National Championships – heck, they weren’t even a contender in the ACC. In my eyes, what more can you do to the program?
It seems that the NCAA is fueled by politics, corruption as its very finest. If they are somehow able to coax former players into spilling the dirt, expect a slew of lawsuits to be filed. There is no incentive on Miami’s end to cooperate so why should they.
In fact, UM should overturn their bowl ban and play in the ACC title game. Prove to the NCAA that their last ditch effort to uncover something much deeper is actually leading them full-circle.
Here is a copy of the letter uncovered by the Herald:
“The purpose of this letter is to apprise you that the NCAA enforcement staff is requesting to schedule an interview with your clients regarding their knowledge of or involvement in possible NCAA violations concerning the University of Miami, Florida, football program.
“Interviewing your clients is important in order for the enforcement staff to conduct a thorough investigation, and both the staff and the institution request you and your clients’ cooperation in this matter. However, at this time, all attempts to schedule and execute interviews with [blank] have been unsuccessful. As a result, this letter serves as a formal and final request by the NCAA enforcement staff for interviews with [blank] to be completed by Nov. 23, 2012.
“If we do not hear back from you or your clients by that time, the staff will consider the non-response as your client’s admission of involvement in NCAA violations. You may contact me at [blank] in order to arrange this interview. Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.”
Sincerely,
Molly Richman,
Assistant Director of Enforcement