An Open Letter To The Mark Emmert, President Of The NCAA

Dear President Emmert,

You and the NCAA have made it a habit of sending letters to various institutions around the country citing lack of institutional control for wrongdoings that have been committed. I commend you for having the valor to seek what is right, and hope that you understand that this letter is a result of that same chivalry.

It has come to our attention that your BCS system is a complete debauchery, laced with corruption and greed. The recount of these despicable events is deeply troubling, and if true, individuals who were in a position to monitor and act upon learning of potential abuses appear to have been acting starkly contrary to the values of higher education, as well as the NCAA.

I am writing to notify you that JOCKpost.com will examine the NCAA’s exercise of institutional control over it’s BCS system, as well as the actions and intentions of relevant responsible personnel.

As you undoubtedly are aware, the NCAA Constitution contains principles regarding institutional control and responsibility, as well as ethical conduct. Specifically, under Article 2.1, “it is the responsibility or each member institution (including the NCAA as a whole) to control its program in compliance with rules and regulations of the Association. The president (that’s you) is responsible for the administration or ALL aspects of the program.”

Lastly, it is important to bring to your attention that Bylaw 10.01.2 affirmatively states that “individuals employed by or associated with member institutions are teachers of young people. Their responsibility is an affirmative one, and they must do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Those who exhibit this behavior are meeting the ethical expectations of the NCAA membership. Those who do not, fail us all.

With this as a backdrop, the NCAA should provide relevant information and data in response to the following questions:

1.) Why is football the ONLY sport out of 89 sanctioned by the NCAA that does not determine its champion through a playoff or tournament?

2.) USC has the same record as Oregon, play in the same conference, and also beat them heads up… but currently sit behind them in the BCS rankings. Please explain.

3.) In an economy that has been floundering, why do the salaries of BCS Bowl CEO’s continually climb? Why has the salary of the Fiesta Bowl CEO more than tripled over the past decade, yet the payout to teams not matched that increase?

4.) Could that difference contribute to the staggering number of teams that lost MILLIONS of dollars when invited to play in a BCS game?

5.) Where does all the excess money go?

6.) Would you consider one of your own spending over $1200 on one strip club visit using Fiesta Bowl money as the NCAA having a “lack of institutional control”?

7.) Fiesta Bowl monies pay $44,000 a year for it’s CEO’s multiple golf club memberships. How many of your other BCS Bowl game CEO’s share the same luxury? Do you feel this is “ethical”?

8.) As the president of the NCAA, do you feel responsible for letting this all happen under your watch? Isn’t it time to do away with this sham?

The behaviors and failures highlighted above try not only the integrity of the universities, but that of intercollegiate athletics as a whole. It is essential that the NCAA respond to the questions that I have posed so that any failures in management of bowl games – both real and perceived – can be rectified.

I look forward to the complete cooperation of the NCAA in our review and any future action that we may take.

Sincerely,

Drew Thomas, JOCKpost.com