Coffee: Limits of NCAA power?

Thursday, July 26

Mark Emmert

We might as well talk about it here too.

Three days later, the sports world continues to be abuzz about the NCAA sanctions dropped on Penn State earlier this week, and new aspects are coming to light.

For instance, Penn State president Rodney Erickson told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that he agreed to the NCAA's punishment under threat of facing a historic death penalty of four years (Read story here). Per the ESPN story, "Erickson said if Penn State did not agree to the sanctions, a formal investigation would have begun and the university could have faced a multiyear death penalty, as well as "other sanctions," including a financial penalty far greater than $60 million."

While Penn State was able to avoid that, it does face four years without a bowl game and scholarship losses that will likely hamper the program's ability to be competitive for years to come.

And the question many seem to have now is ...

Did NCAA president Mark Emmert have the authority to do this considering that ...

1) Penn State was not formally investigated by the NCAA or accused of any violations of NCAA legislation.

2) The process from the release of the Freeh Report to the actual announcement of sanctions was less than two weeks.

3) The penalties were so stiff. Consider the the NCAA's threat of a four-year death penalty was TWO YEARS MORE than the death penalty called on for repeat violators in the NCAA bylaws.

CBSSports.com's Tony Barnhart explains such concerns in a well-crafted column that reads ...

"The Penn State scandal happened because protecting a brand (Penn State football) and protecting a legacy (Joe Paterno) became more important than any other consideration, like protecting innocent children," Barnhart wrote. "That simply cannot happen at an educational institution. But in our haste to make things right, we cannot forget about due process. Emmert's position is that the Freeh Report established the facts of this case. ... How about this? The Freeh Report is just that, a report. It is going to be challenged in a court of law. What if that court finds the report is flawed?"

These concerns are shared.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has also weighed in with a story saying the NCAA will examine future circumstances for Emmert to be able to do what he did this time.

And what about the programs who are actually breaking NCAA rules?

Along those lines, UGA basketball coach Mark Fox raised a good question Monday night ...

"The offenses are different," Fox said, "but will the NCAA be as stiff on people that are cheating to get a competitive advantage? Are we going to throw the book at those people who are doing things to gain a real competitive advantage? I guess that's the great question."

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LINK(S) OF THE DAY

Mark Fox may not allow reporters into his practices, but UGA's official website was in there to get some nice footage of Fox at one of the team's practices in Athens before next week's trip to Italy.

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TWEET(S) OF THE DAY

We have chosen to stay at PSU & other opposing coaches are outside our apartment. Was that the intentions of the NCAA #LeaveUsAlone #WeAre

Penn State DB Stephon Morris

By folding, Penn State leadership made things worse. The deal is ridiculous & punishes the wrong people. I hope the alumni sue to overturn.

Donald Trump

Much respect for the Penn State players deciding to stay. Glad to see 4 year commitments still mean something #loyalty

FB Dustin Royston

Lord forgive me... But! I just don't like some people...

WR Tavarres King

"The radio don't play the stuff I used to love, or maybe I'm just growing up?"

OL Chris Burnette

Whoever said #13 is an unlucky number they obviously don't know the greats who have worn the number @drewbut13r @danmarino #luckynumber

PK Marshall Morgan

After 5 minutes with my young football campers I thanked God that I don't have any children right now.

LB Christian Robinson

He said study all 55 words he put five on test what the hell

RB Ken Malcome

It's HOT ,,, im goin to church ,, I can't go to hell

LB recruit Raekwon McMillan

Hey @TG1UNO (Todd Gurley) and @Truthh4 (Keith Marshall) im in the film room if y'all wanna go over protections.

QB Parker Welch

Some kid from Clarke central challenged me to a race. I told him not to let them hand timed 40s get to his head. Lol

WR Justin Scott-Wesley

Been chasing the dream long enough, now its time to catch it #trainingcamp #Falcons #riseup

Former UGA TE Aron White