USC: Some NCAA penalties too severe
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USC President Steven B. Sample says in a letter just released by the university that USC will ‘accept some of the penalties imposed by the NCAA Committee on Infractions,’ but will appeal those it finds ‘excessive.’
He was not specific, but in a news release the school said it considered punishment to its men’s basketball and women’s tennis teams ‘sufficient.’
That would indicate that the school feels penalties to its football program are ‘excessive.’
Sample’s letter, addressed to ‘Members of the Trojan Family,’ says, in part, that although ‘we sharply disagree with many of the conclusions reached by the NCAA Committee on Infractions, the fact is that there were violations, and we must take responsibility for those violations.’
He also states, ‘We fully intend to have the very best athletics department and athletics compliance program in the country. But let’s not kid ourselves -- no amount of resources can guarantee that we can keep every unscrupulous sports agent or marketer away from our student-athletes and their families.’
-- Mike Hiserman
