Shock waves from Fla. football scandal reach Northwest
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SEATTLE - Universities in Washington state and across the country are keeping a close eye on a scandal rocking college football.
The University of Miami football program is in crisis after a former booster said he gave players cash, wild parties and more.
If true, the NCAA could give Miami the "death penalty" - which would bar the university from playing football for at least a year.
"It's big stuff," says WSU Cougar football legend Jack Thompson. "It's a real black eye to the NCAA and college football in general."
Thompson says there are red flags when something's wrong in a program.
"What's the first tip? Looking in the parking lot. What are these kids driving to school? If they are driving up in a brand new Cadillac - excuse me ...."
Accusations of college athletes getting cash from agents and boosters have run rampant over the past few years, with some now calling for stricter rules from the NCAA.
Seattle University's athletic director, Bill Hogan, says the association doesn't need more rules. And he says the tough rules limiting coaches interaction with players may be part of the problem.
"Put the coaches back in the fold with the kids," he says. "Put them back in their lives; let them spend a lot of time. There are going to be a few coaches that don't handle things well, but there's 99 percent of the people out there that really care deeply about young people."
To fight the influence of under-the-table cash, should colleges start paying players?
Hogan says no.
"They get great educations. They'll last for a lifetime. Many of them are on full scholarships. Right now the value of a full scholarship at Seattle University is close to $160,000 to $180,000 dollars - maybe $200,000 in four years," he says.
And Thompson says even a couple of thousand dollars a month couldn't compete with wealthy boosters.
"That still doesn't match what that one alum was giving University of Miami football players - tens of thousands of dollars."
He also says new NCAA President Mark Emmert needs to find a solution fast.
"If they don't jump on it now it's only going to get worse," says Thompson.
The NCAA just gave Washington State University its certification - meaning the school is in compliance with all the association's rules.
The University of Miami football program is in crisis after a former booster said he gave players cash, wild parties and more.
If true, the NCAA could give Miami the "death penalty" - which would bar the university from playing football for at least a year.
"It's big stuff," says WSU Cougar football legend Jack Thompson. "It's a real black eye to the NCAA and college football in general."
Thompson says there are red flags when something's wrong in a program.
"What's the first tip? Looking in the parking lot. What are these kids driving to school? If they are driving up in a brand new Cadillac - excuse me ...."
Accusations of college athletes getting cash from agents and boosters have run rampant over the past few years, with some now calling for stricter rules from the NCAA.
Seattle University's athletic director, Bill Hogan, says the association doesn't need more rules. And he says the tough rules limiting coaches interaction with players may be part of the problem.
"Put the coaches back in the fold with the kids," he says. "Put them back in their lives; let them spend a lot of time. There are going to be a few coaches that don't handle things well, but there's 99 percent of the people out there that really care deeply about young people."
To fight the influence of under-the-table cash, should colleges start paying players?
Hogan says no.
"They get great educations. They'll last for a lifetime. Many of them are on full scholarships. Right now the value of a full scholarship at Seattle University is close to $160,000 to $180,000 dollars - maybe $200,000 in four years," he says.
And Thompson says even a couple of thousand dollars a month couldn't compete with wealthy boosters.
"That still doesn't match what that one alum was giving University of Miami football players - tens of thousands of dollars."
He also says new NCAA President Mark Emmert needs to find a solution fast.
"If they don't jump on it now it's only going to get worse," says Thompson.
The NCAA just gave Washington State University its certification - meaning the school is in compliance with all the association's rules.
