Much has been made of the latest furore surrounding the football program of The Florida State Seminoles. With what was seen by many as a lamentable season . And now comes the news that the program is under investigation for academic fraud and the likelihood that in excess of 20 players on the football teeam will not be participating in the Music City Bowl.
While the program has been floundering like a vessel ran aground against sharp rocks. We’ve seen coach Bobby Bowden act like there’s nothing wrong within his perceived fiefdom. He may not rule it with a rod of iron like some despotic ruler. But he’s lauded by the fraternity like an ailing deity.
While no one is suggesting that Bowden wasn’t aware as to what was going on within the program. It does seem rather odd that he’s seen fit not to have commented yet on this the most egregious of transgressions by the very players playing on Seminoles’ football team. He’s left it to his coach designate Jimbo Fisher to make an impromptu statement. Which if we understand correctly states that in due time Bowden will address the the press, fans and public alike on the matter. Hey Bobby a word to the wise if you want the public to believe that the program is above board then you’d better step up like a man and let people know what’s going. Instead of hiding behind a cloak of secrecy. The truth is bound to come out in the end and it’s best if you put your best foot forward and address the issues at hand.
This isn’t the first time that the Florida State program has come under attack but it’s the first time that we’ve began to realize the extent of the real endemic problem that a program like this faces. There’s been rumoured to be widespread cheating across the board within the athletics department covering students in a number of sports and the fact that papers and test results were falsified. How widespread in terms of involvement and who knew what or who enabled this has yet to be determined. But we know for a fact that it will be the players who’ll be initially punished . And with the NCAA conducting their own investigation into the matter there’ll be no doubt be further sanctions imposed on the school by way of its athletic scholarships given to athletes. That initself is a severe price to pay when you consider what went on. And with an online tutoring service also being involved could it be that this may well be something way beyond the academic control of the school ?
Bowden in his over forty years of being involved in college football has had and seen turmoil within the coaching ranks. But with what’s happening within the Seminoles’ community. It would appear on the surface that there needs to be a change. That change ought to begin at the top with Bowden himself stepping down. Not just because of this but for the sake of his own legacy , reputation and that of the school’s. As it is they’re going to have a hard time recruiting in light these latest allegations. And with the lack of success on the field and within the ACC Conference this year. It can be said the lure of playing football in Tallahassee no longer seems to be all that appealing for even the most gifted of athletes.
With the game of college football being what it is the lure of big time college recruiting and the money that a program can glean from the exposure. It says much as to the voracity of what goes on behind the scenes within a college athletics program. All that matters is the success that’s garnered and the exposure given to the school at the expense of the goodwill and fair treatment of the athlete in general. In pursuit of excellence on the field an athlete will overstep certain boundaries at the expense of their own moralistic integrity. A decision that many of them choose to forego without thinking about the consequences in the long run. My question in all of this is where are the academic counsellors and advisors in all of this ? And what the hell are they doing ?
The gravity of the situation shouldn’t be lost to us but I must admit that it doesn’t surprise to hear about this at all. College athletics has become a multi billion dollar business enabling coaches and their staff to live high on the hog off the backs of the college athlete. And let’s not forget that the educational establishments themselves aren’t without blame either. They along with the intransigence of the NCAA enable this to happen. An even if it’s a personal choice made by the athlete. The role played by the surrounding parties also places the athlete in precarious position.
Within the college system we all know that there rules , regulations that are set in place. But it’s also encumbent not only upon the faculty to be engaged but also the athletes and coaches. Afterall it may not be their own legacies that they have to worry about but that of the school’s. Like it or not when something like this happens within the educational system it only mirrors what’s happening within society as a whole ! Success at a price but also it appears by any means necessary even if it involves cheating.
rampantfanatic aka tophatal