I cannot believe my timing less than two hours after an earlier post where I say I believe the once crown jewel of PAC 10 football is going to face tough NCAA sanctions the NCAA drops the hammer on the men from Troy. Drop the hammer hard they did.
USC is facing some of the harshest sanctions since the Craig James and Eric Dickerson scandal that got the once powerful SMU Mustangs the death penalty.
After four years of heated investigations into the athletic careers of Reggie Bush and hoops star O.J. Mayo, the NCAA has ruled the So. Cal Athletic Department has operated in a most egregiousness fashion. It has been determined by the college sports governing body that these two athletes in essence played for pay and that the athletic department knew it and did nothing.
Bush has now been ruled an ineligible player, this could cost him his Heisman Trophy, I doubt he really cares since it was all about the money and he keeps his checks rolling in from the pros.Like Craig James and Eric Dickerson, he moves on unscathed while students and future athletes at USC must pay the price.
USC has been placed on 4 years probation and will lose millions by being banned from post season football bowls for 2 years. Along with this, future teams will suffer with the loss of 10 scholarships a year for the next three seasons.
Adding their woes, the Trojans must forfeit several of their final wins in the 2004 season. Which means they could have to waive their claim as national champions that year and they will have to vacate all their wins for the 2005 season.
Making things worse for USC is the probation, if more rules violations are uncovered in what appears to be an ongoing investigation into the Reggie Bush situation, more and harsher penalties can be applied.
AD and former Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett has no comment and SC President Steven B. Smaple says the school is appealing claiming the punishment is too harsh.
Personally I think the punishment fits the crime, USC cheated, the public, the fans and the opponents. Their program was a lie and they were rewarded millions for the deception. Had Bush not played they would not have done as well as they did. I would like to USC have to forfeit and pay back all the bowl monies they received during the Bush era.
If we want integrity in athletics then the schools that breach the rules and public trust should pay harsh penalties. Penalties that cost more money than the rewards they gain for cheating.
SC has an uphill battle to come back, unlike SMU till last season the Trojans will come back, it will take time.
How many kids that signed with the Trojans for 2010 will leave? How will they recruit against programs that can provide post season appearances during the following 2 years.
How they assure recruits the damage is over, while the investigation continues. Don't get me wrong I do not dislike USC, I am tired of seeing teams cheat the system and get paid for it while other schools play by the rules and do not see the big BCS pay day.
The PAC 10 made one good move today, getting Colorado into the fold, they will be a middle of the road team in the conference, but their days of scandal are behind them.
Now the PAC 10 must go find some more premiere names to fill out the conference and restore interest and credibility to their product.
I have nothing to support my belief, but I think Pete C saw the writing on the wall and like rats abandoning a sinking ship, he and many of his staff jumped ship to the Sea Hawks.
Shame on you Pete Carroll, you move on collecting big pay checks and the fans of the Trojans, the school and others pay the bill, your bill Pete, shame on you. too bad USC can't sue you for damages.
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