Tech's Turn

[CameronBornAndBred]

The NCAA will announce the results of an investigation into alleged violations committed by Georgia Tech’s football program at 3 p.m. today.
The NCAA did say that if Tech commits another major infraction before Nov. 17, 2010, it will be subject to added penalties as a repeat violator.

http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sport ... um=twitter

[CameronBornAndBred]

The NCAA has put Georgia Tech on four years of probation and fined the school $100,000 for violations in the football and men's basketball programs.

The NCAA said Georgia Tech should have declared an unidentified football player ineligible after he allegedly accepted $312 worth of clothing from a friend of a sports agency employee. The NCAA said the school failed to cooperate with its investigation, and said it was hindered by a school staff member who alerted the player about potential eligibility concerns before his interview with NCAA investigators.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/college_ba ... y/9863407/

That's not too bad. Losing the 2009 ACC title sucks, but in the scope of things it's a deserved wrist slap. It sounds like the infactions weren't that big of a deal.

[devildeac]

The NCAA has put Georgia Tech on four years of probation and fined the school $100,000 for violations in the football and men's basketball programs.

The NCAA said Georgia Tech should have declared an unidentified football player ineligible after he allegedly accepted $312 worth of clothing from a friend of a sports agency employee. The NCAA said the school failed to cooperate with its investigation, and said it was hindered by a school staff member who alerted the player about potential eligibility concerns before his interview with NCAA investigators.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/college_ba ... y/9863407/

That's not too bad. Losing the 2009 ACC title sucks, but in the scope of things it's a deserved wrist slap. It sounds like the infactions weren't that big of a deal.

Oooh, does that give us another W in 2009 for FB?

[The Football Fan]

I don't think so. I seem to remember reading that they only had to vacate 3 games and the only one of those they won was the championship game.

[CameronBornAndBred]

One of the players that year, Sean Bedford, gives his response.

Dear NCAA,

Thank you for handing down penalties that only adversely affect the players who did things the right way. This reeks of an organization desperate to prove that it has some sort of control over its member institutions despite lacking the ability and firepower to police the serious offenders and protect the student-athletes whose interests you purport to have at heart.

While I realize that all violations merit some kind of punishment, I have a hard time grasping the notion that one of the proudest moments in my life (and the lives of every other individual that was a part of the team and program in 2009) is apparently worth $312 in your eyes. If that truly is the case, I'd be happy to provide you with that same amount of money (cash or check, your choice) in exchange for the reinstatement of the title my teammates and I earned through our blood, sweat and tears.

It took months of hard work, dedication and personal sacrifice by a team of over 100 players, 10 coaches and countless staff members to achieve that championship, but, evidently, it only takes the handful of pencil pushers, lawyers and professors on your infractions committee to strip us of it.

I was a part of the 2009 ACC Championship team and, while you can pretend retroactively that it didn't happen, I have vivid memories of an incredible season that was, and continues to be, one of the most fun, meaningful, important, and very real times in my 23 years on this planet. I'll be wearing my championship ring with pride and if you want that too, you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead finger.

Sincerely,
Sean Bedford

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/2 ... d-responds