The way it began, the NCAA’s wide-raging investigation into player contact with agents, involving teams from across the South, seemed like it was going to end up as a big class-action style ruling hitting a number of programs. For a while, South Carolina looked like it dodged a bullet, but that’s no longer the case. The NCAA is taking closer scrutiny over the behavior of Gamecock tight end Weslye Saunders.
South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders was questioned about his connection to an agent a few weeks ago by the NCAA. The questions came from a trip Saunders took to South Florida in the spring with Tarheel [sic] football player Marvin Austin, who has been under NCAA investigation.
The NCAA is planning a second trip to Columbia to speak to Saunders. They’ve already visited North Carolina for a second time.
All we can say is good luck to Saunders. Hopefully his friendship with members of the North Carolina football team didn’t screw over the team and the university he represents on Saturdays. But now might be a good time to circle the wagons and get ready for some penalties.
Nice job, North Carolina, at trying to hang with the big boys. In our lifetime we know two “‘Heels,” which is how’d we refer to anyone in periwinkle, that were halfway decent in the pigskin. That would be Natrone Means and Dre Bly. But it’s not like UNC could beat Alabama in the Gator Bowl or anything like that, which must have started all that Rick Fox love.
Regardless, UNC, y’all had a decent time in the ’90s as Florida State’s bridesmaid. That’s going to look beautiful to what’s coming, which is some mean-ass probation and hateful scholarship restrictions. We’d say we’re sorry, but we’ve hated UNC since moving to Winston-Salem in 1992 and, well, fuck you guys anyway.
Three sources close to an NCAA probe into the University of North Carolina football program told Yahoo! Sports that investigators are focusing on ties between assistant coach John Blake and prominent NFL agent Gary Wichard.
The sources said the NCAA’s inquiry into Blake has focused on his one-time position as vice president of football operations for Pro Tect Management – an agency founded and run by Wichard since 1979. Blake is now a defensive line coach for the Tar Heels, and oversees All-ACC tackle Marvin Austin, who is also facing NCAA scrutiny.
The sources said the NCAA is investigating trips Austin took to Florida, as well as his travel and training in California in the summer of 2009, when he worked out at Proactive Sports Performance with former Tar Heel and current Wichard client Kentwan Balmer.
The NCAA’s inquiry at North Carolina is one of multiple investigations underway at several institutions. The association’s enforcement staff has been in contact with at least nine Division I football programs since June, in what appears to be a more aggressive posture following major agent-related sanctions against the University of Southern California.
Who else is in trouble? Oh, that couldn’t be those toothless meth addicts from East Tennessee, could it?
The NCAA has broadened the scope of its investigation of the Tennessee football program beyond the appearances of recruiting hostesses at high school games, sources told ESPN.com on Friday.
Tennessee officials acknowledged last December that the NCAA was investigating the school’s use of female students as hostesses for football recruits, with some traveling to South Carolina and Georgia to attend prospects’ games. Since then, sources said investigators have looked into whether assistants under former coach Lane Kiffin had improper contacts with high school players at an all-star game and whether coaches improperly interacted on players’ Facebook pages.
A source close to the investigation said such actions could be considered secondary in nature “but if you look at it all together, [it] looks like there was not a sense of adhering to all the rules all of the time,” which could result in a “major violation” classification.
Tennessee has acknowledged it committed at least six secondary violations during Kiffin’s tumultuous tenure.
According to sources, the Vols’ football program is expecting a letter of inquiry from the NCAA before the start of the 2010 season.
Then there’s, you know, the people who always knew were fucking criminals. The University of Miami.
The University of Miami is being investigated by the NCAA for recruiting-related text messages by coaches in various sports — including football, women’s track and possibly baseball, three sources told The Miami Herald.
UM initiated the process by self-reporting the infractions to the NCAA.
Two UM athletic department sources said they believe the infractions are not considered severe.
Another source with knowledge of the investigation said it was launched in January.
Though individual text-messaging episodes would normally be categorized by the NCAA as secondary violations, collectively they could be considered a major violation, which is believed to be the case for the UM program.
See you in another 20 years, Vols, Canes and Heels. We never liked you assholes anyway.
The picture, a fog-bound Horseshoe at the University of South Carolina. It’s a good showing of higher education in South Carolina, at least for the last couple decades. Before we graduated from high school, we heard from more than one Carolina student — and this was prior to June 1999 — that USC was way, way more expensive for in-staters than North Carolina or Virginia. Granted, we’re not going to bust our asses to see what the average tuition was for USC, UNC and UVa were for fall 1999, but we’ve got this. So, let’s bring on the AP.
An education group says South Carolina’s public colleges charge the highest tuition among 16 Southern states.
The Post & Courier of Charleston reported Sunday that median tuition at South Carolina four-year public schools was $8,400 for the 2008-09 school year. That compares with $4,174 in North Carolina and $4,032 in Georgia.
The figures were reported by the Southern Regional Education Board. The board says part of the reason for the high tuition is because state lawmakers do not fund South Carolina public colleges at the same level as North Carolina and Georgia.
State funding at South Carolina colleges was about $4,800 a student in 2008-09. That compared with more than $11,500 per student in North Carolina and about $7,800 per student in Georgia.
Oh, really? South Carolina lawmakers are not spending on public education to the same level of other Southern states? Jesus, man, you’re blowing our minds right here. Goddamn — we guess that we missed that entire situation while spending 2.5 years in K-12 and three years in higher ed in the Palmetto State. That whole issue missed us entirely.
It doesn’t take a graduate from a college way the hell off the Interstate to tell you that South Carolina doesn’t do dick for its higher education students of a lower income (among other things) compared to North Carolina, Georgia, or especially Virginia, where we transferred from. No kidding — if UVa had as good of a public relations program as Carolina did in 2001-2002, we would be the bastards making Va. Atty. Gen. Ken Cuccinelli‘s life a living hell. But, unfortunately for Mussolini, er, Cuccinelli, we’re here, trying to help people out.
The fact is, though the rotten core would like to dispute it, Sen. Hugh Leatherman‘s idea of capping state college tuition hikes at 7.3 percent is the least anyone can do, but it’s taking one of the most powerful members of the General Assembly to do just that. Even The Post & Courier, whose editorial board must get Christmas cards from both Mark and Jenny Sanford, says that Leatherman is making a needed move.
Many students at our colleges graduate deeply in debt. And that was before the state’s institutions of higher learning upped tuition by as much as 14.8 percent.
There is no question that colleges, like every state agency and almost every business and family, are in a financial pinch. And there is no question that South Carolina would suffer if its colleges were unable to attract and educate people to take on challenging careers in a state actively courting new industry and business.
State colleges have seen state allocations decline over the years as a percentage of their budgets, and that’s occurred more precipitately with the current drop in state revenue. As a result, colleges are more likely to increase tuition to counter the shortfall. College officials should resist the urge, recognizing that students are dealing with the tough economy, too.
Even if students are able to manage higher costs through government loans, it only delays the pain.
This year, the College of Charleston has approved a whopping 14.8 percent hike; The Citadel, a hefty 13 percent jump; and Clemson, 7.5 percent.
Perhaps Sen. Leatherman has overstepped his authority by threatening to deal with state’s colleges and universities in the next budget go-round. But who else has been willing to take up the cause of struggling students and their families?
Just like the P&C, to take a shot at Leatherman to please the Sanford moneymen (and moneywomen). Here’s an idea — help people without a shit-ton of money, but good grades, get into college. You know, merit. Don’t give people who have the benefit of name and money initial admission. South Carolina is good on academic scholarships, so we should try getting need-based grants and loans in line with other Southern states. Because, and this is just a minor idea, South Carolina could lose its best and brightest to other states, while keeping its rich and asinine in-state.
When we first heard about a deep NCAA investigation into impermissible agent contact, extra benefits and the like involving the North Carolina football program, our first thought was, “Oh, shit.” These sort of blindsiding revelations rarely happen in a vacuum and can end badly. By ending badly, we mean phrases like “major infractions,” “lack of institutional control,” “scholarship restrictions” and “five-year probation.” Then the virus spread. Patient Zero, UNC defensive tackle Marvin Austin, was interviewed by the NCAA. He probably mentioned a few things.
Like a trip to Miami.
A trip to Miami that involved parties. There was likely women and booze, but you can find that on campus. What isn’t usually found on campus are the leaches, the agents, the agent’s representatives that can finish off nearly a decade of respectability in an athletic program if a 20 or 21-year-old college student violates enough bylaws after being helped along by these people.
USC tight end Weslye Saunders is pals with Austin. He went down to Miami. He’s talked to the NCAA. Could Carolina be under the crosshairs? That’s unknown at this point, but what is known is that the infection is spreading, and confirmed our worst suspicions, as it broke late Tuesday that Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus went to the party in question on South Beach. Tide coach Nick Saban said that university compliance officials are investigating the matter, but it doesn’t appear that the NCAA wants to talk to Dareus just yet.
Considering this happened after the season, there would likely be no big penalty, though if a serious enough infraction were made, Dareus could be ineligible for this season. We sincerely hope not, since he comes from our old neighborhood in Birmingham and is damn well the best down lineman returning this year. Needless to say, Alabama and the Southeastern Conference have been getting pretty experienced about these matters.
“Right now, agents are screwing it up,” Saban said. “They are taking the eligibility of players. It’s not right that those players do the wrong thing. We have a great education process here. We have a full-time worker who meets with players and their families and does everything else.”
In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday in advance of SEC media days, conference commissioner Mike Slive said that he would like the NCAA at some point to consider changes to rules involving agents.
“The agent issue is one that’s been of concern not only to us but I think to everyone associated with intercollegiate athletics and I do think it’s time to re-examine some of the NCAA rules that relate to agents,” he said. “I have felt for a long time that it would be helpful to be able to provide student-athletes with more information and more opportunities to learn what their professional potential might be than is currently allowed by NCAA rules.”
Slive said the SEC had already taken steps to help member schools deal with agent issues before the recent NCAA investigations. The league brought in consultant Joe Mendes earlier this year to meet with officials at all 12 institutions, “and several have retained him to help provide the kind of information and knowledge that our student-athletes need to make good decisions about their future,” Slive said. “And to do it the right way and not in violation of NCAA rules.”
We’re hoping this summer’s example of the NCAA feeling its oats is more of a prelude to developing new rules to protect athletes and less of a carpet-bombing of athletic programs.
We’ve never seen the wisdom in third parties. They don’t have staying power, lose more often than not, and tend to be filled with people who had “does not play well with others” written on their kindergarten report cards. You have to work within one of the two major parties, and if you have enough people who agree, you can change the party.
The examples of that sort of success are legend. In the early ’90s, Bill Clinton and the Democratic Leadership Council dramatically changed the Democratic Party and moved it to the middle. In the ’60s, conservatives took over the Republican Party and never gave up control. Between the end of World War II and the ’60s, liberals and moderates from the Northeast, Midwest and Far West — and in the ’60s, a president from Texas — got together and ended the power Southerners had on the Party’s civil rights and social policy agenda. And there are other major and minor example that can be called up. Needless to say, it is possible to create a sea-change in major party politics.
But, people keep getting their panties in a wad and starting up new third parties. it’s like starting a bar in Five Points. People see Group Therapy and Bar None and think, not considering the regular failures of bars in the previous decade, that it would be a good idea. Then there’s bad accounting, mistakes on records or the simple travails of the business and it’s closed within a few years (bye, Jake’s, Mark’s, Rafters, Knock Knock Club/Flipside, old Group Therapy, Pub, Drink, &c.).
In North Carolina, the Service Employees International Union got it in their heads to start up a pro-union third party in what’s traditionally one of the most anti-union states in the country. They’re upset the state Democrats aren’t being responsive to union issues. What they fail to understand is that the entire state has been unresponsive to union issues since unions arrived in the Tar Heel State.
About 100 canvassers have been trying to collect the requisite signatures for the past two weeks to gain ballot access for the new party, which would be called North Carolina First. SEIU spokeswoman Lori Lodes said their primary focus was to officially register the party, but noted that the union was beginning conversations with possible candidates who could run under the party’s banner.
North Carolina Deputy Director of Elections Johnnie McLean said the SEIU had begun the petition process and must gather 85,379 signatures to turn in to county election offices by May 17. Certified petitions have to be sent to the state office by June 1. If the signatures are found to be valid, the new party would then hold a nominating convention to select candidates, with names due to the Election Board by July 1 in order to appear on the November ballot.
The announcement comes just weeks after SEIU, along with several other labor and progressive organizations, threatened to withhold their endorsement and even field challengers against Democrats who voted against the health care bill last month.
On the right, the teabaggers are upset at the Texas Republican Party and want an organization of their own. They’ve started the “Independent Conservative Republicans of Texas.” It’s less a third party than a PAC, but the general idea remains. They probably need to check themselves — when Texas Republicans aren’t conservative enough for you, you’re what most people would call “an extremist.”
Patrick said such a group is needed to differentiate true conservatives from Republicans who put their party’s future before their constituents. He pointed to Republicans in Congress who have been silent on embattled Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
“I don’t want those folks to represent who we are,” Patrick said.
Good luck with that.
Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster, who has made a big deal about U.S. Sen. Harry Reid’s closed door negotiations to get the health care bill passed, apparently is only against closed door meetings that don’t involve him. The “water war” suit involving North Carolina has been a bit of a bullshit move. After all, the only things that he’s been involved with are misbegotten suits that he thinks will help him in the race for governor. McMaster’s made a big deal about discussions being out in the open. Some seem to be more important than others.
North Carolina’s top attorney has rejected a call by his South Carolina counterpart to hold closed-door talks to settle a disputes over waterways that flow through the two states.
Attorney General Roy Cooper said in a letter released Friday that he wants the discussions in a commission appointed by both states to be open for public input. South Carolina’s top attorney, Henry McMaster, had suggested in a December letter to Cooper that the discussions be confidential.
Lordy. How can anybody feel fine with supporting McMaster, when he keeps egregiously fucking up? Either he has no decent political instincts, or his advisers are dumber than a sack of bricks.
There are 34 bowl games this year, and we’re picking every damn one of them (probably with 60-70 percent success). You can follow the progress or join up and do battle with us through ESPN College Bowl Mania. We’re in “The League” and “The War Against Tebow.” TWAT (jokes!) is the brainchild of decamped S.C. blogger and good time Johnny, Micah Snead, so go there. But beware — Snead’s dad is a total ringer and will probably take the title by 20 points.
Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Fresno State v. Wyoming
Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ESPN
Central Florida v. Rutgers
Dec. 20, 8:30 a.m., ESPN
Southern Miss v. Middle Tennessee State
Dec. 22, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 18 Oregon State v. No. 14 BYU
Dec. 23, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 23 Utah v. California
Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN
Nevada v. Southern Methodist
Dec. 26, 1 p.m., ESPN
Marshall v. Ohio
Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 17 Pitt v. North Carolina
Dec. 26, 8 p.m., ESPN
Boston College v. No. 24 Southern Cal
Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Kentucky v. Clemson
Dec. 28, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Texas A&M v. Georgia
Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
UCLA v. Temple
Dec. 29, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 15 Miami v. No. 25 Wisconsin
Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Bowling Green v. Idaho
Dec. 30, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 20 Arizona v. No. 22 Nebraska
Dec. 31, Noon, ESPN
Houston v. Air Force
Dec. 31, 2 p.m., CBS
Oklahoma v. No. 21 Stanford
Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Navy v. Missouri
Dec. 31, 6 p.m., NFL Network
Minnesota v. Iowa State
Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 11 Virginia Tech v. Tennessee
Jan. 1, 11 a.m., ESPN
Northwestern v. Auburn
Jan. 1, 1 p.m., CBS
No. 16 West Virginia v. Florida State
Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ESPN
No. 13 Penn State v. No. 12 LSU
Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m., ABC
No. 8 Ohio State v. No. 7 Oregon
Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m., Fox
No. 5 Florida v. No. 3 Cincinnati
Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN2
South Florida v. Northern Illinois
Jan. 2, 2 p.m., ESPN
South Carolina v. Connecticut
Jan. 2, 2 p.m., Fox
No. 19 Oklahoma State v. Ole Miss
Jan. 2, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Arkansas v. East Carolina
Jan. 2, 9 p.m., ESPN
Michigan State v. Texas Tech
Jan. 4, 8 p.m., Fox
No. 6 Boise State v. No. 4 TCU
Jan. 5, 8 p.m., Fox
No. 10 Iowa v. No. 9 Georgia Tech
Jan. 6, 7 p.m., Fox
No. 25 Central Michigan v. Troy
Jan. 7, 8 p.m., ABC
No. 2 Texas v. No. 1 Alabama
The State Ethics Commission report on Gov. Mark Sanford’s indiscretions regarding use of state money and campaign dollars was released today, but we’re not sure if this thing is really worth a damn or not. A few of these charges, here or there, might lead to a fine or a stern rebuke from the General Assembly. But, when they come across, one after one, it looks like the members of the House may have a case. According to the report, there will be a hearing at SEC offices at an undisclosed date to deal with the findings.
USE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL FINANCIAL GAIN
Section 8-13-700(A), S.C. Code ann., 1976, as amended
37 counts
Upgrade on flight
- Graz, Austria to Frankfurt, Germany (2005)
- Frankfurt, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2005)
- Chicago, Ill. To Tokyo, Japan (2005)
- Tokyo, Japan to Shanghai, China (2005)
- Beijing, China to Chicago, Ill. (2005)
- Charlotte, N.C. to London, U.K. (2006)
- London, U.K. to Charlotte, N.C. (2006)
- Charlotte, N.C. to Munich, Germany (2007)
- Munich, Germany to Paris, France (2007)
- Munich, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2007)
- Washington, D.C. to Beijing, China (2007)
- Beijing, China to Washington, D.C. (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
- Atlanta, Ga. to Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008)
- Cordoba, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
- Upgrade on flight from Charlotte, N.C. to New York, N.Y. (2009)
- Upgrade on flight from New York, N.Y. to Warsaw, Poland (2009)
Improper use of state plane
- Spartanburg, S.C. to Clemson/Oconee County for a county party dinner (2005)
- Columbia, S.C. to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., transporting a Governor’s Office staffer, then North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for staffer and himself to receive a haircut (2006)
- Columbia, S.C. to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for a book signing (2006)
- Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to Aiken, S.C. for a birthday party for a contributor (2006)
- Lewisburg, W.Va. to Brunswick, Ga. for family for a personal weekend (2006)
- North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for son’s sporting event (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Greenville S.C. for House Republican Caucus reception (2007)
- Columbia, S.C. to Greenwood, S.C. to Charleston, S.C. for Reason Weekend dinner (2008)
- Columbia, S.C. to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for family to attend “soft” opening of Hard Rock Park (2008)
Campaign funds for personal use
- Receiving $40 for activity not related to the campaign (2006)
- Receiving $329.40 for expenses from attending the Alfalfa Club Dinner in Washington, D.C. (2007)
- Giving $610.30 to staffer Marisa Crawford to attend the Republican Governors Association meeting (2007)
- Receiving $181.23 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $280.16 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $297.89 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
- Receiving $864.90 for expenses from the Republican Governors Association meeting and a hunting trip in Ireland (2008)
- Receiving $79.95 for direct marketing (2009)
- Receiving $96.95 for direct marketing and a presidential inauguration ticket (2009)
- Receiving $159.90 for direct marketing (2009)
Believe it or not, South Carolina is the fourth-happiest state in the South. According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the Palmetto State is the only trails Virginia, Texas and Georgia in being the happiest state in Dixie. Of all the states in America, Virginia rocks No. 15, Texas shows up at No. 21, Georgia ranks No. 23, while South Carolina comes in at No. 26.
Happiest States in the South
15. Virginia
21. Texas
23. Georgia
26. South Carolina
30. Florida
33. Alabama
34. North Carolina
40. Louisiana
42. Tennessee
46. Arkansas
48. Mississippi
49. Kentucky
50. West Virginia
The State Policy Network, of which the S.C. Policy Council is the cornerstone member, is having its annual meeting in Asheville, N.C. Strange, considering Asheville is universally regarded as a very liberal place, known for, among other things, being a haven for gays and people who partake of the hippie lettuce. It seems that the tolerant nature of the town has already seeped into the organization. Jon Caldara, president of Colorado’s Independence Institute, is throwing a toga party, per Wonkette.
Dear Minions of the SPN Empire:
It has sadly come to my attention that many of the younger members of our Freedom Movement have never watched “Animal House” and may not understand the cultural significance of a Toga Party. Here I’ll blame public education and their parents breast feeding them too long while watching Oprah. Sadder still are the older, goodie-two-shoes, pencil-neck types in our movement who only used a beer bong in college to hold their protractors and HP calculators. I won’t mention people like Joe Lehman or Lynn Harsh so as not to embarrass their colleagues.
To right these wrongs you are hereby ordered to join me at the Toga Celebration in Asheville, within the SPN Annual Meeting! Yours truly serves as Emperor of Ceremonies. The festivities take place Tues., Nov. 3, 10:00 pm to 1:00 am (10:00 pm to 10:15 pm for Gisele Huff to lessen any sexual harassment lawsuits). You will celebrate with me in festive toga fashion – or to the Coliseum and lions for you.
Toga Celebration minutiae, approved by me, Emperor of Ceremonies:
* In honor of Animal House, all party entrants must wear a toga at the festivities. And by the way, wearing pants with a toga is like wearing suspenders and a belt; or as we say in Colorado, pulling a “Gary Palmer.”
* Those who don’t sport a toga will be thoroughly embarrassed by a roaming rogue troupe of Cirque du Soleil rejects.
* You should bring your toga from home (someone needs to tell Carl Helstrom that’s just a bed sheet). This likely means we get to see Kurt Weber wearing something with a Spiderman theme
* A Best Toga Contest will take place for males, females and asexual Mackinac employees.
* A rigged jury will likely declare me the Best Toga Contest winner (for males)
* Orgy to follow the Toga Celebration, location TBA (no toga required)
* SPN’s attorneys “encouraged” me to state: This isn’t an SPN thing. The Toga Celebration is hosted by: Students for Liberty, Foundation for Economic Education, Institute for Humane Studies and Liberty on the Rocks.Do join me, Emperor of Ceremonies, for much needed think-tank bacchanal. Attached is a Love is Hell cartoon to help launch the Toga Celebration spirit.
So let it be written, so let it be done.
Emperor of Ceremonies
Jon Caldara
President, Independence Institute
For what it’s worth, there’s already an open wine bar scheduled for the first night. As Caldara wrote, the toga party is hosted by Students for Liberty, Liberty on the Rocks, the Institute for Humane Studies and the Foundation for Economic Education (also, the Institute for the Foundation for Liberty. Libertylibertyliberty. Liberty.). We anxiously await pictures of Policy Council staff getting loaded, wearing togas.
