I just wanted to say that I think it's complete bull**** that USC got the hammer dropped on them like they did. The problem is with sports agents, not with the USC program. It's almost impossible to police this stuff.
Should USC have noticed the new house and other goodies such as the family having the resources to travel to away games? Of course. And they should have looked into it.
But the punishment is too harsh. The NCAA better drop similar punishments on Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina if it uncovers extra benefits from agents in those cases too.
And then some new rules need to be drafted whereby the NCAA accredits sports agents who play by the rules and possibly gives them a forum to meet and present to the athletes in a program within a structured environment. The NCAA needs to get out in front of this, use the opportunity to educate the kids, and give an advantage to the agents that play by the rules.
Should USC have noticed the new house and other goodies such as the family having the resources to travel to away games? Of course. And they should have looked into it.
But the punishment is too harsh. The NCAA better drop similar punishments on Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina if it uncovers extra benefits from agents in those cases too.
And then some new rules need to be drafted whereby the NCAA accredits sports agents who play by the rules and possibly gives them a forum to meet and present to the athletes in a program within a structured environment. The NCAA needs to get out in front of this, use the opportunity to educate the kids, and give an advantage to the agents that play by the rules.