UNC Tar Heels and Michigan Wolverines Wait for NCAA's Decision

Despite ongoing investigations and review of the University of North Carolina and Michigan football teams, the news from NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis has been exceptionally limited. There is little question but one of the reasons for this silence has been the NCAA's transition to a new president.  

The death of Myles Brand, former president of the NCAA, from pancreatic cancer last October sent the NCAA into a long search to find its new president. The NCAA eventually chose Mark Emmert, president of the University of Washington.  

The choice of Emmert sent several continuing messages to member institutions:

(1) the NCAA intends to continue its focus on academics and the first part of student-athlete; (2) improper conduct, especially that which affects academics, will not be tolerated; (3) greater liaisons will be built between the NCAA and the academic side of its member institutions; and (4) a better balance will occur between the promotion of major sports championships and those of the over eighty other NCAA recognized sports.

These messages are backed up by concerns voiced in June 2010 by the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics' latest publication RESTORING THE BALANCE - Dollars, Values, and the Future of College Sports:

"At the nation’s most prominent universities, intercollegiate athletics have always played a dual role in campus life. On the one hand, they are managed for the benefit of student-athletes.

"On the other, they inspire the interest and passions of thousands, if not millions, of fans. For most teams at most institutions, these roles can be reconciled. But in high-profile sports, tensions often surface between the core mission of universities and commercial values.

"These tensions have grown significantly over the past two decades. The pursuit of television contracts and slots in football bowl games, together with the quest to win championship tournaments in basketball, have had a destabilizing influence on athletics programs.

"Among other worrisome developments, the intensely competitive environment at the top levels of college sports has prompted four rounds of realignment among athletic conferences since 1994; a bidding war for prominent coaches; and accelerating expenses across the board."

Originally scheduled to assume his new position in November, Emmert and the University of Washington announced an October 1 departure just last week. Despite the former schedule however, Emmert did not wait until he formally took over the reins before starting his work with the NCAA.

Emmert acted quickly in changing personnel. Soon after he was hired, the NCAA announced the departure of its general counsel, the appointment of an interim general counsel, and the departure of Tom Jernstedt, who is credited with building the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament into its currently enormous success.

The situations at UNC and the University of Michigan differ. In the one involving UNC, the most serious violations are being investigated, including possible academic cheating and improper payments to athletes. At the University of Michigan, extra practices and excessive number of coaches, less serious offenses, are involved.

Yet, they both involve major state-funded institutions whose reputations are on the line. And most of the charges are considered major violations under NCAA rules.

Since Emmert will not assume his new responsibilities until October 1, 2010, the likelihood of any action before then is almost zero. As the first sanctions under his administration, their size and impact will be carefully weighed to gain maximum future compliance by not only these two institutions, but all member institutions.

And, while potentially constrained by an NCAA precedent, the opportunity to act in a more forceful manner than historically is within the NCAA's powers. 

The confluence of the new NCAA president, renewed academics emphasis, and need to reign in spending, could create a perfect storm for UNC and the University of Michigan. If so, watch for greater punishments than anticipated for both institutions.

And that is The Real Truth.