April 28, 2009

Nebraska covering up NCAA infraction?

It appears that Nebraska may have executed a nice little hush campaign in the wake of LB Cody Glenn's suspension last fall for "violating team rules". But now that Glenn has been drafted by the Washington Redskins, he pulled the string and may have unraveled the Huskers cover up.

According to the Husker Extra, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini issued a terse statement following Glenn's November suspension, explaining it as a "violation of team rules" and refused to give further comment or allow other coaches to be interviewed on the matter.

But in comments to the Washington Post, Glenn said his suspension was for selling tickets to Nebraska games, typically an NCAA violation.

"I got caught up selling some tickets that I wasn't supposed to be doing," Glenn told the Washington Post. "Coach (Bo) Pelini did what he had to do."

...

Vinny Cerrato, Redskins executive vice president/football operations, commented on Glenn's suspension at Nebraska.

"That was for the ticket sales," he said. "You know what, our scouts do a good job with all the information we get. I talked to their people down there and we felt comfortable with everything."

The NCAA bylaws prohibit an athlete from selling complimentary tickets to games. In fact, the NCAA does not allow printed tickets to be given to athletes at all, rather for the school to keep a list at the will call office or similar. The NCAA also forbids athletes from purchasing tickets and scalping them for above face value prices.

The comments have left the Nebraska compliance office sputtering to explain Glenn's quote and the suspension.

Gary Bargen, Nebraska assistant athletic director for compliance, said he spoke with Glenn Monday and concluded that no violation occurred.

"I don't know all the particulars of the suspension, but I am aware that it doesn't involve any NCAA violation," Bargen said.

Josh White, NU assistant athletic director for compliance and planning, was also unaware of any NCAA violation involving Glenn.

"From what our office knows Cody was suspended for violating team rules and not NCAA rules," White said in a text message.

In my eyes, Nebraska has yet to explain Glenn's retelling of the suspension. If it was a ticket sales related issue, then it should have been reported as an NCAA violation. Knowingly not reporting the infraction would constitute another violation. That said, it's unclear if the Huskers kept it hush-hush publicly but submitted it to the NCAA.

Pelini is generally regarded as a clean coach, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but... someone at Nebraska has some 'splaining to do.

HT: OU-Ron

Comments:

Nebraska covering up NCAA infraction?
It appears that Nebraska may have executed a nice little hush campaign in the wake of LB Cody Glenn's suspension last fall for "violating team rules". But now that Glenn has been drafted by the Washington Redskins, he pulled the string and may have unraveled the Huskers cover up. According to the Husker Extra, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini issued a terse statement following Glenn's November suspension, explaining it as a "violation of team rules" and refused to give further comment or allow other coaches to be interviewed on the matter. But in comments to the Washington Post, Glenn said his suspension was for selling tickets to Nebraska games, typically an NCAA violation.
"I got caught up selling some tickets that I wasn't supposed to be doing," Glenn told the Washington Post. "Coach (Bo) Pelini did what he had to do." ... Vinny Cerrato, Redskins executive vice president/football operations, commented on Glenn's suspension at Nebraska. "That was for the ticket sales," he said. "You know what, our scouts do a good job with all the information we get. I talked to their people down there and we felt comfortable with everything."
The NCAA bylaws prohibit an athlete from selling complimentary tickets to games. In fact, the NCAA does not allow printed tickets to be given to athletes at all, rather for the school to keep a list at the will call office or similar. The NCAA also forbids athletes from purchasing tickets and scalping them for above face value prices. The comments have left the Nebraska compliance office sputtering to explain Glenn's quote and the suspension.
Gary Bargen, Nebraska assistant athletic director for compliance, said he spoke with Glenn Monday and concluded that no violation occurred. "I don't know all the particulars of the suspension, but I am aware that it doesn't involve any NCAA violation," Bargen said. Josh White, NU assistant athletic director for compliance and planning, was also unaware of any NCAA violation involving Glenn. "From what our office knows Cody was suspended for violating team rules and not NCAA rules," White said in a text message.
In my eyes, Nebraska has yet to explain Glenn's retelling of the suspension. If it was a ticket sales related issue, then it should have been reported as an NCAA violation. Knowingly not reporting the infraction would constitute another violation. That said, it's unclear if the Huskers kept it hush-hush publicly but submitted it to the NCAA. Pelini is generally regarded as a clean coach, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but... someone at Nebraska has some 'splaining to do. HT: OU-Ron