Cara sent this to me and then asked me to forward it to the list, so
here it is...with a few comments of mine at the end (you didn't think
you'd get away that easy, did you). - mike
 
==========
From: Cara Sartor <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Rules violation at UW still to be settled
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 93 10:29:35 EDT
In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>; from "Michael C. Machnik" at Jul 15, 93 3:02 pm
 
Regarding all of this -- whose responsibility is it/should it be
to inform the *players* of these NCAA rules.  I've had conversations
with both football and hockey players here at U of M(ichigan) who
think I'm absolutely crazy when I tell them that these things are
violations.  They really don't know about the rules.  It seems like
somebody out there had better make it clear to everyone involved
if they're going to turn around and penalize those who break the
rules.  Maybe the players should be required to take that test
on regulations and rules too :)
 
Cara, wishing they'd turn the AC *down*
==========
 
Just a few comments...the players should be informed of the rules by
the institution they're attending - either the coaches, or a rep of
the athletic department, etc. is usually in charge of making sure the
players know what the rules are.  I know that many schools hold
special meetings and/or give out booklets that the players are
expected to read and understand.  But Cara has a good point, the rules
are so complex that often the players either do NOT understand or else
they don't take the time to read through everything.  In their
defense, I'm willing to bet that many of the coaches and administrators
are not aware of every rule either.  This is one criticism, that 1) there
are too many rules, and 2) they're too complicated.  Some schools have
established an administrative position of "NC$$ compliance" to deal
with making sure the school's athletes don't break the rules, but it
doesn't seem that this is widespread - and many of the schools that do
have such a person(s), were forced to do so by the NC$$ as part of
settling previous violations.
 
Of course, the NC$$ won't buy it as an excuse when violations are
uncovered (not that they should).  But maybe the NC$$ and the schools
need to make a joint effort to find ways to help educate the players
effectively about what the rules are.  It may not be a valid excuse
for them to say "I didn't know", but nevertheless, sometimes no one
told them.
 
BTW...I wonder if what has made this drag on, is that the NC$$ is
trying to determine which if any of the following knew the violation
was occurring (i.e., that it was happening and that it was illegal) -
 
1) The two players
2) The boosters
3) The UW coaching staff and/or athletic department
 
I'm not accusing anyone, mind you, just wondering if this is an issue.
It would seem to be more serious if the violation was known by any of
the above (especially 3) but allowed to take place.
---
Mike Machnik           [log in to unmask]          [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc.                                  *HMN* 11/13/93