September 2, 2009

Go Fish! Saban and the Tide Await NCAA Word on Alabama's Anglers

Still no word from the NCAA if they will clear Alabama RB Mark Ingram and WR Julio Jones to play after an internal investigation by the university into the pair being treated to a fishing charter earlier in the year. Although it's been revealed that the man who treated the pair has no affiliations with the school, the mere appearance of impropriety with extra benefits has been handled with care in Tuscaloosa, who completed an investigation with NCAA assistance. The matter was then handed over to the conference, who in turn referred it to the NCAA. Can you say hot potato?

Everyone seems to be under the impression that the NCAA will rule on the eligibility by Saturday's game, but that's not necessarily a given. Most people assume that Alabama has to wait on Indianapolis to rule on their findings, but in fact, the power to start or sit them is firmly in Saban's hands. He's just making out to the media like he has to defer to the powers that be, but in fact, he's cashing in his clout to actually force the NCAA's hand so that he can obtain some political cover. After all, how foolish would he look if he sat the two players, who ultimately were cleared of not receiving extra benefits against NCAA rules? Naturally, who could blame him, knowing that you have to walk on eggshells when it comes to possible infractions?

Is this incident simply a red herring or does it constitute more smoke that may or may not be a fire? With arguably their two best players missing in action Saturday night in the showcase game against Virginia Tech, how reduced are Alabama's chances of getting off to a good start with the season? I say that the NCAA issues some sort of 'ruling' by Friday, but if they don't, I think that Saban sits them--just in case. Such is the direction that the Tide ebbs and flows these days.

****UPDATE****
In obvious spite of the post above, the NCAA ruled around 7pm EST today that both Jones and Ingram will be allowed to pay Saturday provided they play back the value of the trip to charity.

Whoops! Freudian slip!

They also stipulated that both players should hose down the boat, empty the crapper bucket, carry all the rod and reels back to the truck, rinse the live well and carry off all the beer cans that are still left in the boat cooler.

Stated the NCAA, which stands for Necessary Continuing Audit of Alabama:

"The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff has reinstated the eligibility of University of Alabama football student-athletes Julio Jones and Mark Ingram based on a condition of repayment.

"During the reinstatement process, the NCAA staff considers a number of factors including guidelines established by the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, relevant case precedent, the student-athlete's responsibility for the violation, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the institution."

Comments:

Go Fish! Saban and the Tide Await NCAA Word on Alabama's Anglers
Still no word from the NCAA if they will clear Alabama RB Mark Ingram and WR Julio Jones to play after an internal investigation by the university into the pair being treated to a fishing charter earlier in the year. Although it's been revealed that the man who treated the pair has no affiliations with the school, the mere appearance of impropriety with extra benefits has been handled with care in Tuscaloosa, who completed an investigation with NCAA assistance. The matter was then handed over to the conference, who in turn referred it to the NCAA. Can you say hot potato? Everyone seems to be under the impression that the NCAA will rule on the eligibility by Saturday's game, but that's not necessarily a given. Most people assume that Alabama has to wait on Indianapolis to rule on their findings, but in fact, the power to start or sit them is firmly in Saban's hands. He's just making out to the media like he has to defer to the powers that be, but in fact, he's cashing in his clout to actually force the NCAA's hand so that he can obtain some political cover. After all, how foolish would he look if he sat the two players, who ultimately were cleared of not receiving extra benefits against NCAA rules? Naturally, who could blame him, knowing that you have to walk on eggshells when it comes to possible infractions? Is this incident simply a red herring or does it constitute more smoke that may or may not be a fire? With arguably their two best players missing in action Saturday night in the showcase game against Virginia Tech, how reduced are Alabama's chances of getting off to a good start with the season? I say that the NCAA issues some sort of 'ruling' by Friday, but if they don't, I think that Saban sits them--just in case. Such is the direction that the Tide ebbs and flows these days. ****UPDATE**** In obvious spite of the post above, the NCAA ruled around 7pm EST today that both Jones and Ingram will be allowed to pay Saturday provided they play back the value of the trip to charity. Whoops! Freudian slip! They also stipulated that both players should hose down the boat, empty the crapper bucket, carry all the rod and reels back to the truck, rinse the live well and carry off all the beer cans that are still left in the boat cooler. Stated the NCAA, which stands for Necessary Continuing Audit of Alabama: "The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff has reinstated the eligibility of University of Alabama football student-athletes Julio Jones and Mark Ingram based on a condition of repayment. "According to the facts of the case submitted by Alabama, the student-athletes received impermissible food, lodging, transportation and entertainment from an individual with whom one of the student-athletes had become acquainted prior to enrolling in college. "Consistent with NCAA membership requirements, the institution reported the violation and declared the student-athletes ineligible. As part of the reinstatement request, the institution required the student-athletes to make repayment of the value of the impermissible benefits to charity. "During the reinstatement process, the NCAA staff considers a number of factors including guidelines established by the NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, relevant case precedent, the student-athlete's responsibility for the violation, as well as any mitigating factors presented by the institution."