The Real Truth: Why The UNC Investigation Will Be Good For Tar Heels
Every program that is a program of any substance, especially in college football, faces an investigation or two. And the ones that tend to get the most coverage are those which are successful. They all get their time in the NCAA investigation interrogation room.
So goes the NCAA and the continuation of the type of action that belies the real truth about college money sports. Athletes with talent are tempted all the time. They come from backgrounds that are often full of crime, full of deceit, and full of problems. Homes in poor neighborhoods. Enticed at early ages to rise above the rest by illegal means.
The best of the bunch has a career so close that they can taste and feel it. A career that will make them household names, people whose talents have raised them far above their circumstances, given them college when others have no access to it, and provided them with a future far brighter than most of us can ever expect.
These few athletes are sought by the major programs, programs that have talent that can drive them to the top.
In a new development, the Tar Heels now face an incredible burden. Among others, we all know that no NCAA investigation is public unless there is fire where there is smoke. And we know that sanctions are likely whenever an investigation is begun.
Why then will this be good for the Tar Heels? Because this one is not likely to lead to any sanctions. And because politics are so great today in the college football world that even a whiff of smoke at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) requires the fullest investigation possible because of its virtually unblemished past.
There is no doubt but that UNC has instituted steps beyond those at many other schools. Their care at institutional control, the cornerstone of NCAA sanctions, is beyond question among the best that exists in college sports. And the basis for most heavy sanctions is lack of institutional control. The likelihood of this finding is practically nil.
Second, given the low standard a program on the rise has to meet before being investigated makes UNC the most likely of all targets at the slightest hint of impropriety. Doubled down with the need to ensure that a program like the Tar Heels' football program does not cross over the line because if its lily white reputation makes an investigation highly likely.
Third, when a program is likely going to be successful, many competitors are out watching. And some want to harm a program like UNC's. One can go about 18 miles down the road and find a place where a likely complaint was filed.
Duke is no friend of UNC and would jump at a chance to tarnish its reputation. Not to say that what they said was inaccurate. But so far the claims seem to be based on facially troubling facts rather than actual facts.
The claims of Bentleys and other things dealing with two players involve relationships between athletes still in school and alumni.
At least one person affiliated with Florida made harsher allegations subsequently tempered by a refusal to repeat them.
In the end, the likelihood is that there is little if any fire. However, even assuming something was done that is improper, it is doubtful that a lack of institutional control will be found. There will be no sanctions imposed that would preclude the essentials of college football, including the ability to participate in post season events.
In the short term, the distraction of this investigation could affect the first few games, including the opening LSU game. Worse, some currently committed athletes in the 2011 class may take back their commitments.
In the long term, however, this investigation merely places the UNC football team on par with most of the great football schools. If there is one that has not been investigated, I am unaware of it.
In addition, this kind of investigation will benefit UNC football. It will remind the program to be extra cautious as it gains prominence and ensure that the next generation of athletes toe the lines.
We will see.
