While abnormally high October temperatures and humidity have blanketed Starkville in late night and early morning fog, the fog hardly compared to the murky blanket of rumors clogging cyberspace. The amount of rumors generated by supporters of other institutions from around the state and Southeastern Conference.
Many rumors were unsubstantiated, but useful in prolonging the NCAA’s decision, perplexing coaches and potential recruits.
Wednesday’s ruling for the Mississippi State football program has cleared speculation of the program’s punishment.
The football program received four years probation, lost this season’s bowl eligibility, which due to a SEC policy regarding revenue sharing of bowl money, will cost the school $2.7 million. Half of this money will be escrowed and can be reclaimed in five years.
The toughest penalty, however, will affect MSU’s scholarship totals in 2005 and 2006. The university will lose four of a total 85 scholarships those seasons. The school also lost 11 official visits from recruits this season.
When asked if he thought the ruling was too soft for a repeat offender, committee chair Thomas E. Yeager said he did not consider the punishment soft.
Yeager also cited the university’s demonstration of improved compliance policies and a “new atmosphere” around the football program as factors in the ruling.
Some will say the ruling was softer because Sylvester Croom is the first African-American head coach in the SEC.
This is false. The NCAA believes in the entire university’s commitment to play by the rules.
Besides a relieved smile, Croom’s most authoritative statement was a promise to watch for any violations, notify officials immediately and remove any offender from the program immediately.
It’s up to Croom and every other coach and athletics administrator to keep the fog away.
The Reflector editorial board is made up of opinion editor Angela Adair, news editor Elizabeth Crisp, sports editor Craig Peters, entertainment editor Dustin Barnes, managing editor Pam McTeer and editor in chief Josh Foreman.