The Papadakis Hypocrisy
by Paragon SC on Jun 12, 2010 2:00 PM PDT
in USC Football
Email
Print
Lost in all of this mess is the forgotten issue of the recruiting dinners at the Papadakis Taverna. This was one of the first blips on the screen that the compliance office wasn't doing its job. There was good reason as to why the school stopped going to the Greek Restaurant in San Pedro.
For years we have been listening to that blow hard Petros Papdakis bash Reggie Bush. I am not necessarily sure what Petros' deal is WRT Bush but he has had a bug up his rear end about Bush for quite some time.
Certainly we are in this mess mostly because of Reggie, but part of the LOIC charge was because of the recruiting dinners at the Papadakis Taverna. Once again the compliance office failed to properly monitor these dinners.
No one will question the loyalty that the Papdakis family has towards USC but Petros now needs to shut up. He has been taking shots at Reggie for years with little or no accountability...that ended on Black Thursday. He has just forfeited his right to call out any USC player who breaks the rules going forward because of his families involvement in the sanctions against USC.
From the NCAA report...( end of page #37 through the middle of page # 38)
IMPERMISSIBLE RECRUITING CONTACTS BY A BOOSTER. [NCAA Bylaws 13.01.2, 13.01.4 and 13.6.7.1]
On several occasions beginning in December 2002 and continuing to December 2005, during prospective football student-athletes' official paid visits to the institution's campus, a representative of the institution's athletics interests and the owner of a local restaurant ("representative A") made impermissible off-campus recruiting contacts with a number of prospective student-athletes.
Committee Rationale
The enforcement staff and institution are in agreement with the facts of this finding and that violations of NCAA legislation occurred. The institution believed that conversations between representative A and prospective student-athletes visiting his restaurant were neither made nor intended to be of a recruiting nature. The institution further asserted that these conversations were not interpreted by the prospects as having a recruiting purpose, and that they did not play a role in any prospect's decisions to attend the institution. The enforcement staff took no formal position as to whether the contacts were major or secondary violations. Although the committee finds that the violations were secondary, they form a component of Finding B-7, lack of institutional control.
As we all know, the dinners at the Taverna were a staple of USC's recruiting in the early part of the Pete Carroll era.
It does not surprise me that the discontinuation of these dinners was because of what the compliance office finally saw in the possible issues that could and did come up in the NCAA's ruling. This isn't some dinner at Morton's Steak House...this is a dinner where the owner is a former player of the program. His tavern is a clear home court advantage for the program. I don't have a problem with dinners but there needs to be the same level of scrutiny applied to those dinners like the NCAA is trying to apply WRT high profile athletes then it be applied here.
Better safe than sorry.
Petros can bash Reggie all he wants but he looks like a fool doing it because his family name just took a hit as well...maybe not as big as Reggie's did but Petros' family name is in the report and his dad (and maybe even Petros for all we know) is specifically linked to running afoul of the NCAA's rules so they're on the hook as much as Reggie is. So it is hypocritical for him to continue to bash Reggie Bush.
Here is Petros on the sanctions. I love it how he once again hammers Reggie but there is no discussion of his dad's restaurant involvement in the breaking of rules.
In for a dime in for a dollar I always say.
27 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
See item 3 for John Papadakis
APPENDIX TWO
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE INSTITUTION’S DECEMBER 12, 2009, RESPONSE TO THE NOTICE OF ALLEGATIONS.
Football
1. Letter of admonishment for the former head football coach, as a result of exceeding the limit on coaches as set forth in Finding B-3.
2. Letter of reprimand for the former head football coach, as a result of the impermissible contacts between representative A and prospective student-athletes as set forth in Finding B-4.
3. Letter of reprimand to representative A for the impermissible contacts discussed in Finding B-4.
4. The football program discontinued hosting recruiting dinners at representative A‟s restaurant effective August 2006. The last recruiting dinner held there was in December 2005.
"Government is the opiate of the masses" Dennis Prager
"I've got blisters on my fingers!!!!!!"
I rest my case...they found wrong doing and addressed it
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
Also, how convenient
the day the report came out, Petros was not on his show.
"Government is the opiate of the masses" Dennis Prager
"I've got blisters on my fingers!!!!!!"
Gnossos, how many times have you been to Papadakis Taverna?
Just curious, my friend?
Funny story, but it may be common. One of my pledge brother’s fathers drove into LA for a weekend game, and took me and several of my friends (all students, late 80s) to Papadakis Taverna in San Pedro. I had never heard of the place.
Now, this was 20 yrs ago, and we were drinking, so my memory is fuzzy. But, John P was everywhere. Prior to arrival, I had no clue that he was a former USC LBer. Well, once he found out that we were current students, he wouldn’t leave us alone. He is the conductor of some bizarre Greek Party orchestra. He runs around talking to everyone, buying shots, dancing, singing, there were belly dancers…..the whole scene is madness. It is one big party. And, to my utter shock and dismay, in front of a table full of my pledge bros, John kissed me smack on the lips (never thought I would publish that in a web forum). Being young and insecure, I was frkn shocked, while my buddies busted my balls about it for years.
But, that’s the scene. John P is as animated as they come, and this restaurant is 110% Greek festival atmosphere. Sadly, and I’m sure partially due to the NCAA plantation owners, USC had to stop going to Papadakis in 2006, and as I understand it, the restaurant closed for good in late 2009.
Papadakis was one of the most renowned Greek restaurants in the country, and it was an institution in the south bay of LA. Petros needs to STFU. We should all mourn the loss of Papadakis Taverna. I’ll bet you anything that John is crushed by this news. He had no idea he was violating rules. He was just entertaining recruits like he does dinner patrons.
F the NCAA. Fight on, John Papadakis, a true Trojan indeed.
Once
I thought the food was average, but I’m highly critical, (having a world class chef for a Mother). The Taverna was highly successful for many years and it’s hard to argue with success. I thought it was a bit “touristy” for my taste, what with the "belly dancing (which is not native to Greece, brought there by the murderous Turks). John always had a “bit” of an ego, but he was always 100% USC.
"Government is the opiate of the masses" Dennis Prager
"I've got blisters on my fingers!!!!!!"
I also went once.
It wasn’t worth the 25 mile trip… More of a neighborhood joint as far as I’m concerned.
+1 for mentioning plantation owners!
Still LOCO after all these years
All hail Augustus Kiffin!
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
A disease
There is a terrible disease with USC graduates in the media.
Scott Wolf
Petros Papadakis
Arash Whateverhisname is from SI
These fellas take pot shots at USC, disrespect the school, and seem to enjoy it.
It is an odd phenomenon. They seem to bask in the glory of bad-mouthing their alma mater.
See Mal Florence, Alan Malamud or Paul McDonald for proper media etiquette by alums.
by lonobird on Jun 12, 2010 4:31 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
+1 and rec'd!!
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
With the rise of Annenberg
There are a lot of us who don’t like that and are hoping to change things. It’s pathetic.
--Conquest Chronicles , SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Follow me on Twitter @Joey_Kaufman
by Joey Kaufman on Jun 12, 2010 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do they do it....notoriety?
Do they get extra sizzle for slamming their alma mater? Are they just using USC to grab attention for themselves?
Because it's easier and perceived to be "cooler"
They can bash ‘SC and make most of the people happy out there. It can be somewhat tasking to stand up to the anti-’SC crowd. Thus, they don’t have to defend accusations from people accusing them for being overly pro-USC. Plus, some perceive it to be cooler to be cynical regarding their teams. Go figure. But I guess they try to give up the “childish” fandom. I won’t be fake. I’m an optimist and obviously pro-USC and am not going to put on some dog and pony show for the haters out there.
--Conquest Chronicles , SBNation's USC Trojans blog
Follow me on Twitter @Joey_Kaufman
by Joey Kaufman on Jun 12, 2010 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess they figure since they are alumni their opinion matters more than others.
As an alumni to the University of Alabama, if I ever speak negative about my school I keep it amongst other alabama fans. Not sure how solid my logic is but to me your school is like your family. You can talk about it but no one can. Well if you tell the entire world a bunch of negative opinions they wll talk about it. These Benedict’s need to shut up and realize that their negative opinions hold no more weight than those three bums wrapped up in the murder for hire plot. ( random comparison)
"Sympathy has expired Longhorns" WallaceWade04
by The Voice of Reason on Jun 14, 2010 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions
but no one else can
"Sympathy has expired Longhorns" WallaceWade04
by The Voice of Reason on Jun 14, 2010 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Haven't been able to stomach Pertos since the 2007 BB season, after he was a jerk on the PA at halftime and his radio shows sucks.
Why are there so many Scumbag Fans?
by so.cal.native1952 on Jun 13, 2010 12:30 AM PDT reply actions
Can't listen for more than a few minutes
before having to hurl.
"Government is the opiate of the masses" Dennis Prager
"I've got blisters on my fingers!!!!!!"
Sorry Para, I don't agree with you on PP
I used to listen to Petros’ shows since 2005 up until early-2007 (moved to NYC in 2006 summer, but would still listen over the web)
Reggie and John P’s violations are totally different.
Reggie did what he did because he doesn’t give a sh*t about the school, is selfish prick and his parents are scum of the earth. Reggie didn’t help the school during the investigation and put his interest above those of the school
Taverna violations mainly stemmed from 2 factors:
1) Taverna was further from campus than what’s permitted. I think Dinner is allowed withing 25 mile radius or so
2) John P as an owner of the place spoke to recruits as an owner and SC FB alum.
It wasn’t JP’s fault that compliance didn’t tell him not to talk to recruits. It’s not JP’s fault. JP loves SC and whole Taverna issue is an overlook by the compliance department.
Petros doesn’t like Reggie because RB is a f*cking douche. He refused to sign jersey’s to John Jackson’s kids and PP doesn’t like him since. Petros always told things as they are. I have respect for P being honest about Reggie’s shady dealings since 2006 when most of the die-hards blindly refused to see anything wrong with Reggie’s action.
Not laying fault with JP...
though I am sure that with John being an alum he probably should have asked just to make sure. Agree that the compliance office bears most of the responsibility but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is a home court advantage that other programs don’t have so better safe than sorry.
To me this is more that Petros needs to shut up…if it isn’t reggie its Leinart. if it isn’t Leinart its Barkley. All the guys does is bash his fellow Trojans…just like Wolf and Markazi…
"Mention USC to a Bruin and they get angry; mention UCLA to a Trojan and they laugh."
Petros is a hard guy to like
Go to a USC men’s basketball game and you’ll hate him within the hour.
MAGNIFICENT GRAND CHAMPION CC NCAA BRACKET 2010
That's when I made my distinction about the guy he is a real puke.
Why are there so many Scumbag Fans?
by so.cal.native1952 on Jun 14, 2010 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Weak sauce
Booster groups receive a brochure and yearly reminders to stay away. As a former player John knew better. As far as your comments on RB I couldn’t agree more.
Still LOCO after all these years
All hail Augustus Kiffin!
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT
You are correct Loco
John’s no idiot, HE should have known better.
"Government is the opiate of the masses" Dennis Prager
"I've got blisters on my fingers!!!!!!"
Taverna with J Rob...
Just an FYI… Taverna dinners were a staple long before Carroll showed up. As an employee of the football program from 1994 – 1997, I remember dining there multiple times with the team and sometimes recruits were also present. We even had dinner there the week prior to the 1997 Rose Bowl game which I’m pretty sure was paid for by the Rose Bowl commission. No one seemed to care back then…
By the way, Petros is a complete douche and had his own violations to answer for when he joined the team. Not that anyone cared since he sucked. His dad and older brother Taso are both true Trojans; it’s sad to see baby boy had to find such a crappy way to make a name for himself since he obviously has no athletic talent.
by Marsella McCarver on Jun 21, 2010 9:26 PM PDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
