When it comes to finding a way to one-up the competition, the latest way to get it done isn’t through a Collective, a Glory Glory (whatever the hell that is), or donors.
Nay, let’s go to alumnus judges.
To quote the great Dana Carvey:
Lawyers, guns, and money. Well, maybe not so much the guns, but you get my point.
There’s legal precedent, and there’s the NCAA, which doesn’t seem to have a precedent or even a spine when it comes to things like this. So now we’re down to decision making in counties where millions (or billions, possibly) are riding on having the star, seventh year quarterback come back and compete for a CFP spot or they can choose to determine what’s fair is fair. And your sitting judge is a booster, or alumnus, and knows just how beneficial a winning season for your hometown team is. Honestly, can you blame them?
But to be honest, if you swear to uphold something like the Constitution, which can be argued upon the merits and language within, that’s one thing. There’s plenty of cases that set the precedent for what that means and what it doesn’t. But when it comes to the NCAA, it seems like everything means nothing. Not intended to be a political post here, but when there seems to be a lot of ambiguity and willy-nilly in the governing body of college sports, the problem isn’t the judge, jury, or even the executioner, it’s the group that determines the rules.
To which, it seems there’s no rules. When the SEC Commissioner has to step in to do your heavy lifting on ethics, you’re probably finding yourself in deeper shit than you ever knew. From the conference where – at least to online pundits – ethics took a flying leap out a window in exchange for revenue, to the place where someone decides to take a stand for…the integrity of the game (?)…we find ourselves in the bizzaro world that we never anticipated – though the Senator could see it coming – ever coming to reality.
I’m forever indebted to Ed Tolley for his work with me when I was a college junior (I promise, finally, this summer I’ll write a standing Sunday post about why that is…trust me, you’ll enjoy it). I respect lawyers and the court system 1000%. But when it comes to the NCAA, nah, if no one else respects you, why the hell should I, or us.
If you’re hoping for a return the Glory days, trust when I say they ain’t coming back anytime soon…unless the money (Vegas, Network or otherwise) determines that the trad-game life is a more viable and profitable entity to be enjoyed.
In the meantime, let’s all cover our ears, mouth, and eyes, and pretend like this is all competitive and as great as it used to be.
You might want to cover your nose, while you’re at it, because the bullshit don’t smell any better otherwise.
Gone like a freight train. Ain’t coming back. Been going for a while!But l will say it was sure as hell fun while it lasted! Seen it at it’s best so if decide to, I’ll get to see it at it’s worst, but not for long. Ticket time is coming soon so the countdown is on! Go Dawgs!!!
There is no rescue coming. The future of CFB shall be written by those tasked to make money via entertainment and possess no knowledge nor desire to even learn of tradition. Things like DSOR, COFH, Third Saturday in October, etc are just relics that won’t influence media metrics going forward. I feel like a blacksmith in the era of Henry Ford pumping out cars. Ah well…I’m too old and fat to get on a horse now anyway.
Warren Zevon … brilliant.
Seems that case would be ripe for a judge to recuse him/herself, but what do I know?
Even if the facts don’t support the law, most of those seats on the judicial bench are elected. Those judges know the ramifications of ruling against the home team in an election year (or anywhere close to an election year.) Y’all go ahead and expect those Orders granting eligibility to get signed at the trial court level.