By Anne Marie Gochis

Dear NCAA,

Why are you so concerned with who Dez Bryant ate lunch with? You’re seeming a little stalker-ex-girlfriend and might want to reevaluate your standards.

Love,

Me.

Seriously, though, think about it. The Oklahoma State wide-reciever was suspended for the remainder of his 2009 season after the NCAA discovered that he had lunch with former NFL star Dionne Sanders and lied about it. News reports of the investigtion add that Sanders sent Bryant inspirational texts almost daily.

Bryant has officially been charged with a violation of the NCAA’s code of ethical conduct since he lied to investigators. In an interview with ESPN, Bryant said he was surprised by the way the NCAA handled the investigation, saying “the manner they asked the questions led me to believe that I did something wrong when in fact I had not.”

The NCAA was investigating Bryant’s professional relationship with Sanders to see if he was violating a preferential treatment policy. At the time, Bryant was thought to be considering entering the NFL draft instead of continuing his education at Oklahoma State. Those intentions, coupled with discussions with a former NFL player, could have violated a recruiting or preferential treatment policy.

But why the policy? What is the NCAA so concerned about? If any normal student had a meeting with an employee or former employee of a company he or she wanted to work for post-graduation, that student would be encouraged and praised. The NCAA restrictions limit student-athletes’ ability to seek out post-graduation employment and unfairly limit the personal actions and personal relationships between student-athletes and professional athletes.

NCAA,

Why are you so upset? Are you afraid Dez is cheating on you? I think you’re being a bit possessive…

By Anne Marie Gochis

“Sometimes it just seems unfair that they [student athletes] get everything, especially the ones that aren’t here to advance academically,” said Melissa Rosvold, a senior at Loyola. Rosvold was reacting to what fellow student Abby Gotsch said “must be a common dilemma for college admissions officers;” is it beneficial to admit a less academically qualified student because of his or her athletic record even though it may mean passing up a more academically qualified student?

Loyola University senior Erin Bowman said she feels “the two cannot be directly juxtaposed because they each bring different things to the table.” The more academic student, explained Bowman, may devote so much of his or her time to studying that they do not have the time or the energy to be involved in other clubs or events on campus. Conversely, she continued, the athlete contributes in a different way, making up for his or her academic shortcomings by contributing to the overall atmosphere of the school and helping to foster a sense of community. A campus needs both types of students to be successful and well rounded.

Regardless of their admission, though, how much do student athletes contribute to the college community? Senior Eric Abrecht referred to student-athletes as “mere cogs in the college machine.” Lauren Savo, a sophomore at Loyola, added that “sure they’re contributing to our community now, but unless they go pro later on, how much are they going to be able to give back to the community after?” Rosvold said that “They do deserve to be here because they are as much a part of our community as anyone else, but it can be frustrating because they get everything for free.” Many student-athletes receive comprehensive scholarships that provide money, not just for tuition and housing, but also for books and food, said Rosvold. “And it’s annoying,” she continued, “when you are taking difficult classes and trying to learn and then you meet someone here on a full ride who isn’t even interested in anything besides sports and partying.”

Gotsch said she thinks admissions officers should “more carefully weigh the pros and cons of choosing an athlete over and academic.” And, contrary to Bowman’s statement that the two cannot be compared, she feels that they should be. “You have to wonder what they’re going to contribute in the classroom and on campus, not just on the field, before you admit them,” said Gotsch.

By Scott Kaesshaefer

80-year-old Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden has officially announced his retirement from college football. Bowden’s 44-year coaching career will come to an end after the Seminoles’ bowl game.

“Nothing lasts forever, does it?” Bowden said.

Bowden will end his career as the second all-time winningest coach in major college football, only behind legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno. The Florida State legend himself has won a total of 388 games in his career, which includes time at Samford and West Virginia, in addition to Florida State where he has spent the last 34 seasons.

Although the University has struggled in the past few years, overshadowed by National Champion and archrival Florida, Bowden helped make Florida State one of the most competetive and top-ranked programs in all of college football. The 1990s proved to be the glory years for Bowden, as his Seminoles won the national championship in 1993 and 1999, including 14 consecutive winning seasons from 1987 to 2000. Bowden racked up 152 wins in that span, losing only 19.

During his tenure at FSU, Bowden became the face of not only Florida State football, but of the entire university, as well. University President T.K. Wetherell emphasized this, saying, “Bobby Bowden in many ways became the face of Florida State. It was his sterling personality and character that personified this university.”

Danny Orr

In a bizarre string of events, Tiger Woods has found himself in a bit of a dilemma. A story broke early Friday morning regarding a single car accident with Tiger being the driver. Apparently he was backing out of his driveway at 2:25 A.M. and hit a fire hydrant then a tree. He was hospitalized, then released with minor facial lacerations and bruising. Later that day more details surfaced and it was rumored that Woods’ wife had smashed the back window of their Cadillac with a golf club in order to drag him out of the car. A couple minutes later a concerned neighbor came out and called 911. Tiger was first seen lying in the street, drifting in and out of consciousness.

Now, first off let’s not take anything away from Tiger here. He deserves the benefit of the doubt. He is the most famous athlete in the world. He has been a model citizen his entire career and is very likeable from a fan’s perspective. That being said, there are obviously some missing details here in this circumstance. Currently, Tiger still refuses to talk with authorities and has released a statement that doesn’t clear up any fogginess from the accident. Two days before the incident, The National Inquirer reported that Tiger had been having an affair. Also, that him and his wife were fighting before and or during the incident.

A few questions must be answered here for people to be satisfied.

1. Where or what was Tiger doing at 2:30 in the morning on a Friday?

2. Why did he continue to drive after initially hitting the fire hydrant?

3. Why did his wife actually smash the back window of their Cadillac?

4. Was just a coincidence that his wife used a golf club to break the window? Is that all she could find in their garage? Kind of funny I think

5. Lastly, What club did she use to break the window? I think the putter or 4 iron would create a nice shatter.

Either way, Tiger has a long road ahead because this incident is far from over. His squeaky clean image could actually hurt him here, with everyone dying to know the truth.