Another Case That Shows That College Athletics is Rotten at the Core

University of Oregon Pays Recruits Through a Recuiting Service – And Gets a Slap on the Wrist with the NCAA's Pinky Finger

The noble aspect of college athletics, men and women competing for the sheer joy of playing sports and engaging in competition has long been deceased.  In its place is a corrupt system where college athletics dominate college education and where violations of the rules are bad only if you get caught.  And now getting caught is not that big a deal.

The N.C.A.A.’s infractions committee found that Chip Kelly, the team’s former coach, who is now the coach of the N.F.L.’s Philadelphia Eagles, had not adequately supervised the program. The committee penalized him by putting conditions on his return to the college ranks, should he try to return.

The investigation, which began more than two years ago, centered on Oregon’s ties to a recruiting service provider, who assisted the university’s football program in trying to attract players. The committee’s report said that the provider gave cash and lodging to a prospect and violated other N.C.A.A. rules through calls and contacts.

What went on here is simple to understand.  The University of Oregon paid money to a recruiting service provider who then gave money to recruits to try and convince them to go to Oregon to play football.

This blatant violation of the rules resulted in this penalty.

The committee issued a series of penalties, including three years of probation, the loss of a scholarship and a ban on subscription to recruiting services, but it stopped short of barring the university from participating in bowl games.

“The sanctions were pretty lenient,” said Justin Sievert, senior counsel to the Michael L. Buckner Law Firm in Pompano Beach, Fla., which specializes in enforcement cases. “You don’t have a lot of penalties that have a lot of teeth.”

The lesson learned at the University of Oregon, don’t get caught, but if you do, it’s ok.  The lesson learned by the Coach.  When the going gets tough, quit.  The lesson learned for higher education.  None they will probably never learn their lesson.