According the Miami Herald, the NCAA has ruled that eight Miami Hurricanes players are suspended for a number of games and must repay a dollar amount equal to benefits they received. This is in connection to the ongoing investigation by the NCAA of alleged benefits received by fifteen current and fifty seven former players from Nevin Shapiro, who is currently serving a twenty year sentence for masterminding a $930 million Ponzi scheme. This was the subject of a scathing Yahoo Sports investigative report that once again put the U under NCAA crosshairs.
What does that mean to a life long Hurricanes fan like myself? That Nevin Shapiro wasn’t lying. After reading various accounts of his accusations, I prayed that he was embellishing, just lashing out at those who used them for his money with tall tales. Turns out that some UM players who did know better made a mistake that will cost them and UM dearly. Many of my friends, who went to UM were quite aware of the benefits players received, including Cadillac Escalades and favorable test results. It was obvious to many on campus. Somehow it wasn’t obvious to UM administrators. Turns out that some UM administrators turned a blind eye to Mr. Shapiro, even after he threatened to physically fight UM’s compliance officer. Even after former Coach Randy Shannon had warned his players.
So what now? There are more penalties coming and UM deserves it. I am not going to debate whether college players should be paid or not. The fact is that there were rules that they broken. Although some of the players suspended are truly gifted players, I would be okay with them being kicked off the team. They betrayed the U. Betrayed! No excuses are valid or reasonable, being poor doesn’t allow one to break the rules. Besides, not every poor UM player took advantage of these “benefits”.
Administrators and coaches that were involved in aiding or ignoring the problem MUST be fired and banned from the NCAA. If they aren’t involved with the U or NCAA, give them the scarlet letter, it will eventually come back to haunt them.
Sports Illustrated is again calling for the end of Hurricanes Football. I say they just want to sell more magazines. I am calling for is making UM an example to others, make us bleed Orange and Green. I am willing to endure horrific seasons. Heck, maybe I’ll even get better season tickets seats as others will surely jump off the bandwagon. Eventually we’ll return to greatness, hopefully with honor.