Dick Tuthill writes:
>
>      I'm not surprised that Tom O'Conner decided not to go to BC.   It has
> long been rumored around Enfield Twin Rinks that he was very upset -- to the
> point that his late season play tailed off and the NHL scouts became less
> impressed.   UMass would seem a good match.   The article did not say if
> he was offerred a ride there,  but if he signed a letter of intent it would
> seem to indicate that he was.
>
>      This brings up a point about the ethics of situations like this.   It
> would seem to the casual observer that BC is obligated to fulfill their
> scholarship obligations despite the fact that there may not be places on
> the team for that many scholarship athletes.   Is there an NCAA rule which
> would prohibit them from telling those on scholarship that they are competing
> for fewer places on the team than the number of those holding scholarships?
> Those that don't make it have to redshirt that year (or give up the ride)?
> I think I know the answer to this,  but it is an interesting question in the
> abstract.   Under such a setup,  a S/A could attend four years for free
> if he/she had no aspirations beyond college hockey.   Probably the potential
> for abuse by the institution is too great.
>
 
What is really scary about this entire situation is that O'Conner had the
scholarship offer *in writing* from Cedorchuk and yet he still found himself
out in the cold.  What more can a high school senior do than get the offer in
writing from the head coach?
 
I fully expect that BC will eventually have to financially pay for these
offenses either in the form of lawsuits or out-of-court settlements.   I'll
also reiterate my earlier comments that the NC$$ *must* address a situation
like this.  If a program is offerring scholarships *in writing* that they
cannot possibly deliver on, then they should face the toughest possible
penalties.  If I were dictator and this was the evidence in front of me, I'd
sentence them to two years of no post season play and no scholarships to
incoming freshmen, all current players are allowed to transfer without the
one year waiting period (since they are no to be made victims), and $100,000
(roughly the cost of a 4 year stay at BC) to all recruits who were screwed in
this fashion.
 
Is this harsh?  Yes.  Intentionally so.  (I'll also be cheering the lethal
injection hat trick tonight in Arkansas.)  These offenses cannot be allowed.
 
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