If You Give 'Em An Inch They'll Take a Mile

by Paragon SC on Jul 16, 2006 5:52 PM PDT in News Comment 6 comments

I kind of have an unwritten rule here at Conquest Chronicles. I don't feel its necessary to comment on other schools infractions or legal issues. I think the reasons are obvious. I don't have a vested interest in those schools success or failure. And to comment in my eyes is simply piling on.

I am not intimate with an institution like say BN is with UCLA or like BON is with UT. Those bloggers are certainly more than capable of addressing any negative issues that may arise at their respective institutions. But the most obvious reason is that my house (USC) has it's own issues and we have our work cut out for us to clean it up.

Now I'm not naïve, I certainly don't expect BN not to comment on the negative issues at USC. If they feel that their readers need to be kept abreast of our dirty laundry then that is their prerogative and I'm fine with it.

As most of you know I am not a product of any institution of higher learning so I wouldn't be able to comment with any real authority of the current situation at Auburn. From an outsiders point of view it would seem that there is something not quite right about it. But more important is this a University issue or an Athletic Department issue? If the school can't police its own professors or student athletes then what credibility do they have in addressing player issues when they inevitably come up.

Kyle over at Dawg Sorts puts up an excellent post on the Auburn situation. His intimate knowledge of the SEC allows him to comment, even as a UGA alum, in a credible fashion.

As Kyle notes;

The most recent instance of wrongdoing on the Plains occurred when Auburn was placed on two years' probation on April 27, 2004. The N.C.A.A. news release announcing the latest penalties against the Plainsmen stated that, during the probationary period from April 2004 to April 2006, "the university shall continue to develop and implement a comprehensive educational program on NCAA legislation and submit periodic reports to the NCAA," including "a preliminary report that sets forth a schedule for establishing this compliance and educational program."

My only comment on this issue was in response to CFR's post. I felt it was much ado about nothing, but that was at first glance. If the school allows these types of classes then I don't see a problem, but they should police them more stringently for abuse. To blame the student athlete I think is misplaced. If the class is offered and taken and a passing grade is given then what's the issue? If the professor is too lenient in how he administers his courses then the school has a responsibility to rectify it. If they can't then the NCAA needs to step in.

As Kyle once again notes;

If you, like C.F.R., found yourself "underwhelmed," you should consider yourself underinformed. The Tigers went undefeated while on probation in 1957. They did it again in 1993. What in the history of War Eagle athletics gives us any reason to doubt allegations that improprieties occurred while the Plainsmen were going undefeated in 2004?

Yep that's me, underinformed.

So, if I'm reading this correctly, it looks like there has been a pattern of this before. And it looks like the NCAA has attempted to address it. Keep in mind this is the same NCAA that can't seem to get a handle on the Reggie Bush situation and the same NCAA that seemed to look the other way with the Adrian Peterson car issue. It appears that the NCAA is far more worried about if a student athlete gets a free pizza from someone but who also won't let a student athlete hold down a job in the off-season so he can pay for his own pizza.

I would agree that all the facts are not yet in and there may not be any evidence of any wrongdoing but with a proven history of these types of incidents it is certainly hard to ignore.

In my mind this Auburn issue is important for many reasons, but the one that stands out to me and me only is the perception of a lack of thoroughness by the NCAA. How can they investigate and hand down punishment for infractions over here yet seemingly ignore infractions over there? Until the NCAA treats all infractions the same, regardless of the institution involved, the perception of the blind leading the blind will continue to be associated with NCAA.

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Hey man

give yourself more credit than you do. You have every right to comment on these things, if you have an opinion.

BN is no more intimate with UCLA than any other blowhard fan out there. Don't assume they know anything more than you. Nestor doesn't have a single contact in the UCLA athletic department and his idiotic supposition that Spurrier could come to UCLA only proves how little he understands how UCLA works.

Never, never write that you are underinformed!

by Heismanpundit on Jul 16, 2006 8:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I'm still feeling my way around. So I would rather be humble and not make waves. Having not been to SC or college for that matter I just don't understand how the whole thing works and I don't want to speak without knowing the facts so I will demure when i am unsure.

Thanks

by Paragon SC on Jul 16, 2006 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A couple of points I'd like to clarify:

HP,

I went back and reread my post and your comments and I think you misunderstood what I meant when I said that I was not as intimate as others are with their respective institutions.

My point is that because I did not attend UCLA or UT I would have a hard time commenting on the more intricate issues at those schools. The same goes for SC but I have some recourse with family and such. I would agree that I have the right to comment on any issues that I see fit but I would prefer to more informed on the subject at hand than just being a hit and run poster with an opinion and an agenda. Hence my initial comments about being humble.

On the Auburn issue I was underinformed. My initial impression was that their current situation was no big deal. But upon reading Kyle's post on the subject it looks like AU has been trying to pull a fast one for some time. So yes, I was underinformed. I'm still a baby blogger and I am slowly building up my research materials in order to be a more informed blogger. I will make mistakes and I have no problem being corrected.

As for your comments on Nestor I offer up two points.

1. the blogosphere does allow for a certain amount of anonymity. I know no more about Nestor's contacts within UCLA athletics than I do about your contacts within the LA/National sports scene. I am a trusting person so I will always give someone's word the benefit of the doubt. Right or wrong, good or bad.

2. I realize that you and Nestor have had some words in the past and that you do not see eye to eye on a number of issues. I would prefer to stay out of the fray as that is between you and Nestor. But more important I would prefer that any personal attacks or opinions that aren't positive or constructive that you feel necessary to voice did not take place here on Conquest Chronicles.

I value your readership and your extensive knowledge on CFB and Track. I have a lot to learn from your views and it is my hope that you will continue to visit Conquest Chronicles on a regular basis and participate in the discussions at hand.

To be fair I have had my own issues with BN in the past and I have said so in this post, but I will no more go to their site and chastise them than I would want them to come to my site and have them chastise me. All views will be heard here regardless of opinion but I want to keep it civil.

If I'm wrong on any issue then I expect to be called out on it, you did that here and I appreciate it, but I want to keep the tone civil. My intent is not to point fingers at others. I want everyone to have fun here and take part in the discussion. If someone is not civil in any way here I will address it regardless of who is the intended target.

The rivalry between USC and UCLA is not so important that personal attacks need to take place.

Again, I hope you will come by here often and offer your insight to all things CFB.

Thank you for stopping by.

by Paragon SC on Jul 17, 2006 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

fair enough

but I don't think you totally caught my drift.

I want you to be successful here and i am trying to give you some pointers.

One point is, if you don't have something to say about something don't say it. Don't say that you are uninformed, as it just gives readers the impression that you are just that.

Second, Nestor lives in Washington D.C. and never has claimed to have any access or contacts within UCLA's athletic department.

Going to USC or UCLA does not make you any more informed about that school. You are the writer for a USC blog and to be successful you will need to do your homework regardless.

As for BN, I was always civil with them and indeed they were on board with me early on. It was only when I dared to challenge a misleading post on USC's transgressions that they started to rip on me.

They are easily the most infantile, moronic, idiotic, untalented bloggers on the blogosphere and I find it amazing that you continue to make excuses for them.

You are a classy guy, but that doesn't mean you should be a pushover.

by Heismanpundit on Jul 18, 2006 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand where you are coming from

You are correct, I do need to continue to do my homework. That was why I asked you about where to find some good information. I am still compiling my list of research sites and publications. I understand that I cannot just rely on one or two sources. I need you to participate as you can on this site in order for it to be successful. I understand you are busy at HP.com but your input means a great deal to the site. I understand about needing to not only look credible but to also be credible if I am to increase readership.

As for BN, I will continue to stress that on a go forward basis that negative opinions about other posters not be aired here. I understand the history and I understand where both sides are coming from. But I can't have those types of discussions here as I am trying to get the site up and running. I have already taken a little heat about giving the smallest amount of praise BN. Regardless of what anyone thinks I do feel they do some pretty good work. I don't feel I am making excuses for them, they certainly don't need my endorsement or approval, but flame wars just get in the way of trying to provide good content for the site.

My personality is more of a conciliatory nature and I need this site to work so I will not ruffle feathers here on this site or on any other site unless the issue at hand is WAY out of line. People are entitled to their opinions regardless of how far out in left field they are.

I am certainly not a pushover, I am older than most and my life experiences have taught me a great deal. It will take an awful lot to push my buttons to show some sort of explosive reaction. If I have an issue I will address it through the proper channels.

It's how I run my life, it's how I run my business and it is how I will run this blog.

I might not agree with all that we have discussed here but I appreciate your candor. In the end, to me, that is most important. I am not above constructive criticism and helpful advice; it is the only way that I will thrive in this new venture.