(09-14-2014 07:16 PM)NBPirate Wrote: Wait, a program detailing one of the most corrupt scandals to ever envelope college athletics gives you a feeling of respect for SMU?
I little hyperbole employed there?
Was the scandal worse than at Penn State? Which IMHO FAR, FAR exceeded what happened at SMU, and should easily be considered the worst college scandal of all time. And the investigators only scratched the surface of that one before sweeping it under the rug. You usually don't pay
$60 million to victims unless you were involved in protecting and/or at least enabling a predator to
roam free on your campus for 40 years. No telling
how many lives were impacted by PSUs inaction. There is
nothing happy in that valley.
Or what about the
academic scandal at North Carolina? Fake classes seems to undermine the whole purpose of COLLEGE athletics in my mind, and would require the assistance of many administrative folks to be successful.
Or was SMU really worse than the scandals at Miami, USC, Ohio State, or pick any school in the SEC that have been caught since the 80s?
SMUs punishment was certainly noteworthy for its severity, and warranted based on the rules at the time - I make no excuse for what SMU did, nor do I defend their behavior. However, I believe a little perspective is needed. 40 years enabling a child molester, or a decade of fictional classes to keep players eligible seems a wee bit more scandalous to me than some hundred dollar handshakes, a car, or a job for momma, especially in an age where folks are actively lobbying for player compensation.
To answer StillJonesing's point - You are correct the DP was used as a crutch. The more crippling issues came from SMUs own recruiting/academic restrictions which made it impossible to recruit on a level playing field with any other FBS team. The second major blow was the end of the SWC and the banishment to the WAC. SMU was now in a severe disadvantage recruiting against our historic rivals in Texas. Number three was some poor coaching hires. Not until Jones was hired, and we landed in CUSA, did SMU reach a point where it could begin to compete with its conference mates on a somewhat equal footing. The next hire will be critical to take the next step forward.
