Eric writes:
 
>I was wondering when somebody would take a look at this program.  It seems
>to me that the host family arrangement would be rife with opportunity for
>NC$$ violations.
 
I guess hindsight is always 20/20 -- but I've also been wondering about this
host family program almost since I first heard of it.  It should be pointed
out, however, that this program did not amount to free room and board for
the lucky athletes.  Those players who did live with the host families had
their financial aid packages reduced by some amount to compensate (I don't
know how much, but it wasn't a pittance).  That's part of the reason the
program was cleared by the NC$$ after their 1983 investigation.
 
Assuming the NC$$ even notices this (and they're busy just up the road
apiece investigating the Syracuse lacrosse program *AGAIN*), I don't expect
them to be too hard on Cornell.  The university uncovered the "probable"
violation themselves, reported it, and promptly discontinued the program,
which I suspect is more cooperation than the NC$$ is used to.  I would guess
the most punishment that the NC$$ would mete out would be placing Cornell on
probation for a year or so -- which, by the way, is what happened the last
time the Big Red ran afoul of the NC$$, back in 1973 (after a booster paid
for two recruits to go to the ECAC tournament in Boston Garden).
 
>                  Just the same, this is the kind of upheaval that this
>program just doesn't need the summer after such a horrendous season.
 
True, but then again, the timing might be the only positive thing about the
whole situation.  Looking at the Big Red's record over the past couple years
and the players that have been brought in during that time, there's frankly
no way anyone can claim that the hosting program gave Cornell a competitive
or recruiting advantage.
--
Bill Fenwick
Cornell '86 and probably '94
LET'S GO RED!!
"I've had a wonderful evening -- but this wasn't it."
-- Groucho Marx