None of us at CCUB will ever be mistaken for being Trojans fans. But, as his Strapping Jock award suggests, we are all fans of Reggie Bush. However, not all is well for the Saints RB. First came the tension with Kim Kardashian. And yesterday, amidst alleged infractions of Bush receiving improper cash benefits and being the principal reason for the NCAA punishing USC, he decided (i.e. was forced) to give up his 2005 Heisman trophy. It's a shame that one of the most electrifying players in college football history couldn't resist the lure of more immediate financial stability. USC officials have returned their copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust. And more trouble could be on the way, as the NCAA will now turn to determining whether the Trojans will maintain their 2004 BCS title. I'll leave it to Trojans fans to decide what Bush's legacy should be, but putting one of college football's premier (if not also despised) programs on probation is probably not the best way to "Fight On" for many Trojans fans.
Showing posts with label USC Trojans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USC Trojans. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Take it Easy, NCAA, Take it Easy
Earlier today the NCAA came to a conclusion on its punishment for the University of Southern California’s sport’s violations. The verdict on the university’s lack of institutional control? USC football will lose 10 scholarships for each of the next three seasons, is being forced to vacate any victories that Reggie Bush participated in starting in December 2004 and is banned from 2010 and 2011 season bowl games. Their basketball team also has to give up one scholarship, forfeit any wins from the 2006-7 season and ban itself from the 2010 postseason. On top of no longer being allowed to associate with Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo (the two players highlighted in the investigation), USC will also be forced to repay the $200,000 it got for participating in the NCAA tournament.
According to the NY Times, these USC penalties are the harshest the NCAA has given to any university since 1986 when they shut down the Southern Methodist football program for two years. Yes, we all knew USC would at least get a slap on the wrist, but I think this was the rough equivalent of a public spanking. It might not be right to break the rules, but I think there are much worse things the university could be doing besides pampering their athletes. Take it easy, NCAA.
According to the NY Times, these USC penalties are the harshest the NCAA has given to any university since 1986 when they shut down the Southern Methodist football program for two years. Yes, we all knew USC would at least get a slap on the wrist, but I think this was the rough equivalent of a public spanking. It might not be right to break the rules, but I think there are much worse things the university could be doing besides pampering their athletes. Take it easy, NCAA.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Signing Day Recap...
For many people, today was a normal Wednesday, halfway through the work week, with the weekend beginning to come into view. But for a somewhat disturbingly large population of sports fan (myself included), it was a holiday of sorts. February 3rd, otherwise known as National Signing Day (NSN), is the one day in the year when top high school football recruits finally sign their letters of intent to notify the general public where they will be attending school for the next 3-5 years. For rabid college-football fans who have just been hit with the reality of eight months without football Saturdays, NSN is the one day where speculation runs rampant and college football once again takes the spotlight.
For practically the whole year, Florida has held onto the #1 spot in the recruiting rankings, but true to form, they could not hold off a last minute charge from U$C (at least according to rivals.com). The Trojans and their controversial coach Lane Kiffin went nuts on Signing Day, landing perhaps the biggest (both literally and from a rankings standpoint) prize in 6'8 offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson. They already had two five-star receivers, and they added another one on Wednesday when Markeith Ambles committed to the Trojans. Apparently, he was so excited about being a Trojan that he forgot how to spell his team's mascot, saying "Go Trogans!". Two separate times. Hopefully he signed his name right on the letter of intent, or else SC is losing out on a big-time wide receiver prospect.
I probably spent way too much time talking about USC instead of talking about the team everyone really cares about, the Michigan Wolverines. Coming into this final weekend before Signing Day, the big emphasis for the Maize and Blue was on securing a commitment from a top ranked defensive back, as the Wolverines are currently very thin in the defensive backfield. Michigan was in on three athletes to complement the already-committed Cullen Christian. They were Floridians Rashad Knight and Demar Dorsey, and Californian Sean Parker. Supposedly, our best chances were with Knight and Parker. Alas, Knight ended up committing to Rutgers on Tuesday (Rutgers over Michigan?!?!), and Parker started off Signing Day with a surprising commitment to the University of Washington. This left Michigan with only the longshot Dorsey, rumored to be a Florida State lock. But lo and behold, after an unbearable (at least for us recruitiniks) few hours of waiting for Dorsey to announce, the wait ended up being worth it, as Dorsey pulled a shocker and chose to venture up north to Ann Arbor for college. How does this impact the Wolverines? Well, we're getting a kid who some have called the fastest kid in Florida, one of the top states for producing talent. He was also selected to play in the prestigious Under-Armour All American Bowl this past January, and is the 12th overall player according to espn.com.
Besides the defensive backfield, other positions of focus going into the recruiting process were the defensive line and linebacker (basically, Michigan needed quality defensive players). Of Michigan's 27 commitments, they landed 17 on defense, and received commitments from touted players like defensive tackle Richard Ash and linebacker Marvin Robinson, both of Florida (if you haven't realized it yet, Florida is a pretty important location for the Wolverines, with current players such as Denard Robinson and Martavious Odoms also being from there). Hopefully, players like these will help turn around the program, and bring it back to its rightful status as champions. The class was ranked in the top 25 by all three major recruiting sites (rivals, scout, and ESPN), and should begin making a major impact immediately.
For practically the whole year, Florida has held onto the #1 spot in the recruiting rankings, but true to form, they could not hold off a last minute charge from U$C (at least according to rivals.com). The Trojans and their controversial coach Lane Kiffin went nuts on Signing Day, landing perhaps the biggest (both literally and from a rankings standpoint) prize in 6'8 offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson. They already had two five-star receivers, and they added another one on Wednesday when Markeith Ambles committed to the Trojans. Apparently, he was so excited about being a Trojan that he forgot how to spell his team's mascot, saying "Go Trogans!". Two separate times. Hopefully he signed his name right on the letter of intent, or else SC is losing out on a big-time wide receiver prospect.
I probably spent way too much time talking about USC instead of talking about the team everyone really cares about, the Michigan Wolverines. Coming into this final weekend before Signing Day, the big emphasis for the Maize and Blue was on securing a commitment from a top ranked defensive back, as the Wolverines are currently very thin in the defensive backfield. Michigan was in on three athletes to complement the already-committed Cullen Christian. They were Floridians Rashad Knight and Demar Dorsey, and Californian Sean Parker. Supposedly, our best chances were with Knight and Parker. Alas, Knight ended up committing to Rutgers on Tuesday (Rutgers over Michigan?!?!), and Parker started off Signing Day with a surprising commitment to the University of Washington. This left Michigan with only the longshot Dorsey, rumored to be a Florida State lock. But lo and behold, after an unbearable (at least for us recruitiniks) few hours of waiting for Dorsey to announce, the wait ended up being worth it, as Dorsey pulled a shocker and chose to venture up north to Ann Arbor for college. How does this impact the Wolverines? Well, we're getting a kid who some have called the fastest kid in Florida, one of the top states for producing talent. He was also selected to play in the prestigious Under-Armour All American Bowl this past January, and is the 12th overall player according to espn.com.
Besides the defensive backfield, other positions of focus going into the recruiting process were the defensive line and linebacker (basically, Michigan needed quality defensive players). Of Michigan's 27 commitments, they landed 17 on defense, and received commitments from touted players like defensive tackle Richard Ash and linebacker Marvin Robinson, both of Florida (if you haven't realized it yet, Florida is a pretty important location for the Wolverines, with current players such as Denard Robinson and Martavious Odoms also being from there). Hopefully, players like these will help turn around the program, and bring it back to its rightful status as champions. The class was ranked in the top 25 by all three major recruiting sites (rivals, scout, and ESPN), and should begin making a major impact immediately.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
What not to do...
In case you needed more evidence that sex makes the world go round, Pete Carroll has left his dynasty at USC to move to Seattle, of all places. Rumor has it that Carroll is avoiding the SoCal drama that's about to hit the streets about banging a graduate student living in Malibu. Can someone say Rooooarrr?! Tiger can!
Lane Kiffin has been named the head coach of the USC Trojans. Personally, I think Carroll f'ed up. If you're involved in a sex scandal, coaching the Trojans is obviously the safe way to go. Seahawks, on the other hand, just seems dirty. Frankly, I think Carroll should have just bought himself a Cadillac and crashed it into a fire hydrant and a tree while his wife beat him with a golf club if he really wanted to avoid the media frenzy.
Lane Kiffin has been named the head coach of the USC Trojans. Personally, I think Carroll f'ed up. If you're involved in a sex scandal, coaching the Trojans is obviously the safe way to go. Seahawks, on the other hand, just seems dirty. Frankly, I think Carroll should have just bought himself a Cadillac and crashed it into a fire hydrant and a tree while his wife beat him with a golf club if he really wanted to avoid the media frenzy.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
O.J. Mayo has met with U.S. Attorney
O.J. Mayo has met with the U.S. Attorney's office in connection with improper gifts sent his way during his last year of high school and stint at USC from Bill Duffy via Mayo's "adviser." The investigation seeks to determine whether any federal laws were broken when Mayo received between $200,000 and $250,000 during the relationship. The story became public when Mayo refused to go with the BDA agency when he entered the draft.
Possible criminal allegations include fraud and tax evasion. There are allegations that an American Express card used to purchase gifts from Mayo was linked to a fraudulent charitable organization.
Possible criminal allegations include fraud and tax evasion. There are allegations that an American Express card used to purchase gifts from Mayo was linked to a fraudulent charitable organization.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
