As if the NCAA doesn't have enough real issues to monitor, now it's apparently inventing imaginary ones to scrutinize.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the chairman of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions recently sent Kentucky a letter requesting the school publicly acknowledge it erred by celebrating John Calipari's 500th victory after a win over Florida last February. At issue is the fact that the 42 wins Calipari had vacated as a result of rules violations at UMass and Memphis still leave him 33 shy of 500.
Of course, the NCAA is technically correct that Calipari is still a year or two away from officially recording his 500th win, but this complaint seems more petty and personal than it does constructive.
Why make such a fuss over a simple celebration that featured a handshake, a postgame announcement and the presentation of a game ball? And why not send a similar angry letter to UMass last September for listing all of Marcus Camby's accomplishments on his bio when it inducted the former star big man into its hall of fame?
The worst part of the NCAA seeking a public apology from Kentucky is that it provides Wildcats fans who claim everyone is out to get them with genuine fodder. Those conspiracy theories ring hollow most of the time, but it's difficult to imagine the NCAA taking this stance if Calipari weren't Kentucky's coach�— or if the Wildcats hadn't taken such pleasure in bashing the NCAA for preventing Enes Kanter from playing last year.
It's always been somewhat pointless when the NCAA vacates a season years later because the punishment can't eradicate the memories of what took place. Now that the NCAA is trying to vacate the celebration of a coaching milestone, it has crossed the line from silly to absurd.
Jill Arrington Tami Donaldson Padma Lakshmi Sarah Mutch Gabrielle Union
No comments:
Post a Comment