This Is Outrageous

Sports
Thank you to Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan for inspiring my post today. I’ve been in a post-Christmas non-blog-writing funk, but I’m back with a vengeance today. Here’s why. I’m sure many of you know by now about the Ohio State University football players who were found to have sold memorabilia to a tattoo shop in exchange for free tattoos. The NCAA reviewed the violation and decided that these players should be suspended for five games. The confounding thing about the suspension is that it doesn’t start immediately, eliminating those players from the Sugar Bowl. The suspensions don’t start until the 2011 season, when some of those players may not even be at Ohio State anymore. But at least they are sorry.

I remember scratching my head when I first heard that news, but then other, more pressing things took my attention (like finishing up that pesky Christmas shopping!). It was brought back to the forefront when one of my friends contacted me. She was formerly a compliance officer at an NCAA institution and she was PISSED! She knows the NCAA rules, and they require that any suspsensions be served immediately. Apparently Ohio State AD Gene Smith and Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, along with Houlahan, did a great job of lobbying the NCAA to allow the suspensions to start AFTER the Sugar Bowl.

This is at least the second time this year that the NCAA has set a dangerous precedent. Through their handling of the Cam Newton situation, parents of high-school athletes all over the country know they can sell their childs services without any NCAA ramifications for their child (as long as he/she doesn’t “know” about it). Now, the NCAA can be assured that the next time a high-profile athlete or coach commits a violation, they’ll be bringing up the OSU situation as reasoning for why they shouldn’t have to sit out the next ‘big game.’

Do you think the NCAA will be harrassed into changing their decision? Am I the only one who thinks OSU has gotten away with something here if the players are allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl? Does Smith, Delany or Houlahan have an ounce of integrity between the three of them?

Life
A good friend lost her boyfriend on Christmas Eve. He was in his late-20’s, and while he’d had some health problems, his death was a complete surprise. It’s been a wake-up call for Jess and me that we have many things in our life to be thankful for, and to cherish. We get to spend every day together, making each other laugh, making each other dinner, planning vacations and visiting friends. The little things (figuring out finances, a rough day at the office) are better because we have each other. It’s sappy, but if you haven’t lately, remember to hug your significant other, office cubicle-mate, or pet. Don’t let disagreements linger too long. We take life for granted because we’ve woken up every day for the past 20, 30, 40+ years. This weekend proved to me we won’t always have that luxury.

Other
Two days until New Years Eve, eight days until we leave on our big ski vacation… lots of stuff to look forward to for me. I hope you’ve all staved off the post-holiday blues!

Until tomorrow.