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February 14, 2008

FSU self-imposes scholarship reductions

In the wake of the academic scandal that will sidelined nearly one-quarter of the Florida State football team in the Music City Bowl, the Seminoles have self-imposed a two-year probation and mandated scholarship reductions in several sports.

In addition to the scholarship reductions and the probation, which began Wednesday, FSU listed four other "punitive actions:"

1) The firing of the learning specialist and tutor at the center of the scandal.

2) The requirement of all athletics department administrative and non-administrative staff to attend a four-hour training program instructed by an outside consultant on "decision-making in the NCAA compliance environment.

3) Personnel changes at five senior level positions within the athletic department and within the university's Athletic Academic Support Services (AASS) department.

4) And the review and enhancement of the working relationship between learning specialist positions within the AASS and the university-wide Student Disability Resource Center.

The exact number of scholarships lost per sport was not released, but FSU did advise that the reductions would be spread over at least two years.

Approximately 60 current and former athletes from various sports were sanctioned and lost eligibility, included more than a dozen football players who will sit out an additional three games to start the 2008 season.

The NCAA will now begin its own investigation into the matter.

Posted by Kevin Donahue

 

Comments:

  1. Fanblogs Author War Eagle Atlanta Author Profile Page said:

    posted on February 14, 2008 12:04 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?



    Unfortunately, you only self-impose restrictions if you know that NCAA sanctions are imminent.

    I don't know a lot about this scandal. Honestly, I don't really care. Yes, athletes shouldn't cheat--nor should regular students. Eligibility may be compromised. Other than that, is there a reason why the NCAA should be involved? I wouldn't think serious penalties would occur from this. The penalty should be that an athlete loses his eligibility.

    Only two sets of fans care about this particular issue: FSU's and their two main rivals--Miami and Florida. The former care because it's their team. The latter-because they get a chance to twist the knife a bit. That's what rivals are for.

    Show me some major violations like paying players or other egregious things like that, then I say hang 'em from the yard arm. Otherwise, things like this don't make the needle on the average fans' give-a-sh*t-meter move at all...

  2. Ramblin' Gator said:

    posted on February 14, 2008 1:44 PM — 216.10.193.22 — link — abuse?



    This is bad and what it portends is even worse.

  3. Fanblogs Author Kevin Donahue Author Profile Page said:

    posted on February 14, 2008 2:30 PM — link — abuse?



    I suspect the NCAA will accept FSU's recommendation on the probation (two years is about right). I think it would be hard to argue the scholarship reductions being out of line - they will be proportionate reductions - but football may take a bigger hit.

    I think FSU's actions (the firings and suspending the players for 30% of a season) was probably appropriate, if not just into "strong" territory.

    I really don't see the NCAA extending it much, if any.

    If you want to be 100% selfish on the athletic department (a la Buddy Garrity), then you are very grateful that there may be several hundred other students from outside the athletic department who benefitted. In other words, this was a problem with this test and class and not isolated to the athletic department (which is the NCAA's biggest concern).

  4. Zac said:

    posted on February 14, 2008 6:48 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?



    My fear is imposing the "Death Penalty". It solves nothing. I nearly destroyed one program; that's all.

    When an NCAA violation occurs, or multiple violations involving an individual or several individuals, those directly involved should be made to pay. If it's a member of the school's staff (assistant or head coach, instructor, professor, or trainer), then, it's PYB! If it's an athlete, lose the scholarship, lose a year of eligibility, and be made to transfer elsewhere.

    The team left behind gets to rebuild by having to hire a new coach or coaches, and recruiting kids willing to play by the rules, as opposed to losing scholarships and not being allowed to play on TV.