Cougar Corner | Commentary: WSU Should Continue to Say 'No Thanks!'

Washington State athletics are an integral part of both the WSU college experience and Cougar Nation.

Following the Cougs can be quite a roller coaster ride.

This month marks my 40th year of following WSU athletics. If only this ride began in the cradle...

One of the many things that sets Washington State apart from a few, highly visible, universities is the desire to play college sports within the constraints of NCAA rules.

Serious allegations have surfaced today about fellow Pac-10 school USC.

Close scrutiny accompanies athletic success for schools in one of the elite athletic conferences. That scrutiny has placed a shadowy gel over the spotlight beaming down on Trojan football and basketball.

USC is finding out that crossing the line drawn by NCAA rules and regulations means dealing with people who have little if no regard for anyone except themselves.

Here's the story.

Coaches, fans and media were surprised a couple of years ago when USC announced that highly touted O.J. Mayo had decided to play basketball for the Trojans.

To make a long story a little shorter, Coach Tim Floyd echoed surprise shocking all of college basketball by casually describing the Mayo "recruiting" process this way. He just answered his phone and discovered that Mayo would like to do his one-and-done service before entering the NBA by playing at USC.

Quite the noble gesture, don't you think?

That story was a little hard to believe then. Revelations surfaced this morning perhaps bringing sense to a nonsensical tale.

An elaborate scheme to share in Mayo's payday when he turned pro has found the light of day.

A small, minuscule, part of the Mayo payday scheme is reported to have included Coach Tim Floyd making a payment of $1000 in cash for influencing O.J. to become a Trojan for a year. 

Here's what was reported Tuesday night by Charles Robinson and Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports:

"

USC men’s basketball coach Tim Floyd made a direct cash payment to a man who helped deliver O.J. Mayo to the Trojans program, according to Louis Johnson, a former member of Mayo’s inner circle.

"

The story is that Louis Johnson has seen the light of truth now and opted to share his version of why Mayo agreed to play a one-and-done year on the hardwood of shiny new Galen Center.

Quite an epiphany Mr. Johnson. Oh, and thanks for sharing.

USC has sustained tarnish on the standing of their outstanding university by yet another guilty-until-proven-innocent violation of NCAA rules and ethics. This mark may take more than silver cream to remove.

How does any of this relate to WSU athletics?

Washington State athletics have had their ups and downs over the past few decades without association to ethical lapses of the magnitude connected with elite athletic programs such as the one at USC.

Cougar Nation can be grateful for decades of fine university and athletic program leadership. Playing college sports inside the lines drawn by the NCAA is extremely challenging for every university. WSU continues to be committed to accepting that challenge.

Thank you Elson Floyd, WSU president and Jim Sterk, WSU athletic director for providing leadership that is grounded in an aggressive competitive spirit that isn't tainted by do-anything-it-takes mentality.

One last thought on the USC story.

Could Mayo's decision really be purchased for ten one-hundred dollar bills in an unmarked envelope?

For more on this story, click over to coverage by Rob Calonge, Cal Bears Examiner

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Cougar Football

Thanks to both Howie Stalwick and Cougfan.com for publishing an address to send well wishes for a speedy recovery to Cory Mackay. Mackay was tragically injured last Friday after falling asleep at the wheel of his truck on the way home from Pullman.

Please take a moment to send along a card to Cory at:

Cory Mackay (Patient)
Harborview Medical Center
325 Ninth Avenue
Seattle 98104-2499

Mackay will be under the watchful eye of Harborview staff for some time while recovering from back surgery. Reports are positive and the family is confident that Cory will make a strong recovery.

The entire Mackay family can use the full support of Cougar Nation. Let them hear from you.

Originally published on Examiner.com