FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Bill McCabe]

formerd3db, I would add the Baylor basketball team to this.  None of the players are there from the Dave Bliss fiasco, yet they will play no non-conference games this year.

[formerd3db]

Bill M:
Yes, I agree with you.  As you know, there are certainly many examples of this, both in basketball and football (recall the SMU "Death Penalty").  I just picked the U of M one since I'm from Michigan!  It is indeed sad.  I don't pretend to have the answers, however, I would think there should be some way to have consequences more directed at those responsible rather than having it hurt those innocent people who follow.  But try getting the NCAA to do something in that vein - it will probably never happen.

[jdean]

I couldn't find anything on NCAA.org regarding ONU but they might not update their news every day.
What I did find was their commentary about penalties affecting innocent student-athletes. "This commitee added language to the enforcement procedures which, in effect, states that the interests of innocent individuals should be taken into account when imposing penalties."  And "However, the simple fact is that the punitive nature of NCAA-imposed sanctions make it unavoidable that the penalties imposed on institutions as a result of their involvement in major infractions will have some negative impact on innocent student-athletes.

[Shark]

formerd3db - I agree with you based upon NCAA history.

The talk surrounding the the punishment for the Buckeye's basketball violations now centers around returning proceeds ($$$$) from post season play, removal of  championship banner(s) and a possible decrease in athletic scholarships.

Obviously D3 schools don't have the same offerings for the NCAA but  there has got to be some other method(s) (maybe fines, ect). I just hate to see these young men's dreams dashed when it's not their fault. 

[Pat Coleman]

Whoa, people -- you're way overreacting to one post from someone you hardly know. Let's see if he can prove it first.

I would say it is highly unlikely for that to be the result of this transgression. Uusally they take away in-season practice days to compensate. And they certainly don't wait two years to decide.

[4u]

If the ONU news is accurate, that's a shame!  If I were an ONU player, I would treat the MUC game like my National Championship.  They could accomplish two things: 1) Break that seemingly 1,000 game conference winng streak, and 2) Put themselves in a position to be ranked in the top 3 in the country at season's end.  That would be a positive because it would shed light on the NCAA's misguided penalties.
If it's not true, that post was a cruel joke.
4u

[runyr]

kirasdad,
Thanks for the tip on doeder's JCU science fiction story.  At the risk of encouragement, I'll say he has an amazing imagination.

[pios]

.... I have no more words to describe my emotions over this rediculous turn of events. this is a joke.

Does this mean the post is a joke or you feel it is a joke by the NCAA to impose these punishments?  If this is true, I agree with 4U that ONU should play for a 10 - 0 record if they are not admitted to playoffs.  It is a shame if this is true.

[Toph]

I haven't been able to find anything at all about this, so unless this guy is really close to the program, I'm going to refrain from reacting to this news about ONU for now.

Pios-
What's the skinny on your guys this year?

[polarbearman]

for those of you questioning my post. there will be a press conference on campus at 3pm. involving the ncaa release of the penalty, and Ohio Northern will respond. This is not a joke, and I do have inside information with someone very close to the program. There will be press releases a little after 3 pm this afternoon from the NCAA as well as ONU Sports information. it is a sad day, that the potential of this football team will be slashed within a penalty for an occurrence that took place two years ago, with a majority of players who have graduated, and a coach who has been gone for 3 years. this is no joke...you can see for yourself at 3 this afternoon.

[SaintsFAN]

I don't know...there are too many 3's in your post....I'm calling it an early-April fools..

Mainly because I don't want to believe it.

[ace]

According to ONU's website there is a press conference dealing with this issue. There is no joy in mudville. As a Mount supporter I hope the sanctions are not true. Most of the team and coaching staff at ONU presently had little or nothing to do with past infractions.

[DII/DIIIFan]

Word is that ONU will be placed on probation and unable to participate in the playoffs this year (assuming they would have qualified).

In the DIII world, this is really troubling - the guilty coach was let go, there are no scholarships to revoke - how does the NCAA justify punishing kids who pay $36k per year to go to college and play football like this.

Any truth to the rumor that those who voted to put ONU on probation are peer coaches and administrators - that would be even MORE troubling.

It's a sad day for DIII fans ...

[Pat Coleman]

This would have been handled by Division III's committee on infractions:

Attorney      Geraldine J. Butler   Baker & Hostetler LLP      Independent    JAN 2009

AD      Mary Jo Gunning  Marywood University      Pennsylvania Athletic Conference    JAN 2009

CCD, Associate AD      Gerald Young  Carleton College      Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference    JAN 2008

SWA      Branwen Smith-King  Tufts University      New England Small College Athletic Conference    JAN 2007

SWA      Jone Dowd   Catholic University      Capital Athletic Conference Inc.    JAN 2007

[pios]

Toph,
I haven't had a chance to see the guys in action at all this season.  However, they did return the starting offensive line that blocked for a 1000 yard rusher and they return Wagner at RB who was All OAC (not sure which team) last season as well as the starting QB and WR's that saw alot of game time last season.  The defensive line is young, but very talented and seem to be leading the charge by recording two safeties in the first two games.  Three of four starting DB's return and seem to be forcing more INT's than in the past.  Overall, I think this is probably one of the best team's Marietta has had since the late 90's.  After last season, I think they have a renewed spirit and know they can play with any team on any Saturday.  I highly doubt JCU is as down as people may think and they are always a tough team for Etta, haven't beat them yet.