Meeting Of The Minds
Shortly after the Reggie Bush controversy broke, USC president Steven Sample called football coach Pete Carroll and basketball coach Tim Floyd into his office and wanted to know if everything was being done to prevent agents from influencing athletes.
Sample was assured the issue had been addressed before the Bush controversy but was warned that street agents or ``runners’’ remain a threat. What's interesting is that the issue actually made Sample's radar but it illustrated the Bush matter worried everyone on campus.
It sure has been quiet lately, re: the Bush investigation. Any word or idea when the final ramifications might shake out?
I don't understand the point of this post. I'm sure Sample keeps an eye on a lot of things involving the football program.
The problem is not the agents "getting" to the players. There is no way to prevent that.
The problem is the players. Esecially those who are not very smart and have questionable character.
Pete and Tim need to figure out a way to find kids whose focus is not just about "gittin' payeeed".
Well, '89, what if the player isn't gettin paid, but the parent is?
Is that Reggie's fault?
It also has a lot to do with the parents. While there is no question that a players parents should be involved when it comes to dealing with agents. The parents need to understand that any dealings they have may put the players eligibility at stake. Even if the player leaves school the school is left to deal with the fall out from the transgressions in question.
As far as the character issue goes I find it ironic that alleged criminal behavior is less of a threat to the schools ability to field a top rate team than the greed of a couple of misguided parents looking for a payday.
Funny how we haven't heard anything from the schools president about the appearence of a lack of discipline.
In the interest of honest journalism, how is it that Bob Leinart got a "payday" by paying rent for his son and Jarrett? Or is Paragon SC talking about another "couple" of misguided parents?
I think he means Reggie's Mom and step-Dad. There's two of them, that makes it a 'couple'. No need to drag the Leinarts into this...
I'm interested in the comment, "The problem is the players. Esecially those who are not very smart and have questionable character." I think that what this case illustrates is that even when the PLAYER is smart and has great character, agents can pick on more vulnerable (read: stupid and/or greedy) family members and reach the kid just as effectively. That's a big problem to me, ethically (why punish a kid for having family members they may not be so proud of, but are stuck with?), and I'm not seeing a solution.
socalredd raises an interesting point. Obviously, whatever the university is doing to educate the players about ethics and rule violations also has to include the parents and family members - particularly when the players are becoming celebrities, and they become marketable even while they are still attending school. Also, many of these kids are likely to end up supporting their families once they enter the pros - looks like the family members want to speed it up a bit, and then they become targets for greedy agents. Some tough love is in order...