Around 30 minutes into the December 3rd ESPN broadcast of the UNC vs. Iowa St. basketball game, just after coming out of a commercial break, with 7:54 remaining in the 1st half, play-by-play and color commentators John Saunders and Dick Vitale brought up the scandal and decided to pontificate a bit.
Here is the exchange as I was able to transcribe it. I'll post it first without my commentary. Further below, I'll repeat it but with my comments added.
John Saunders: Welcome back to North Carolina where some tremendous and well-remembered student athletes have passed through, and many of them through this building, and through many courses here at North Carolina.
And right now the school is dealing with what some would call a scandal. Which is -- there was a certain curriculum here under which, allegedly, the players never actually did work in classes that they received credit for. And Dick, it's something that Coach Roy Williams has had to deal with and it's been really difficult for him and others who have coached here in the past as well.
Dick Vitale: Well you know John, talking to people involved with the University, people that have graduated; I talked to one graduate that has two degrees. He said, really, "it's been absolutely a disgrace. I'm disappointed. I'm hurt, but most of all many of my friends who've graduated from this fine university, we're angry. We're angry. Where were all these academic advisers during that time?"
It was in front of them. It started in 1993, John. I mean you can't try to solve this here in the matter of 30 seconds, but it's ugly . It's disgraceful. We haven't certainly seen the end of it. The NCAA is looking into it right now
But I will say this. Coaches are told by these academic people to stay away -- I've talked to a number of coaches -- "don't get involved with their classes. Let us handle that."
Well, I say, where were the academic advisers? They were all part of it. They fired a number of them here. Got rid of 'em. And I'll tell you it is sad because this is one great university and I know many of their graduates are so disappointed and hurt by what has transpired.
Saunders: Roy Williams is here, and he said he obviously had no knowledge of this, but in backing him up, Mack Brown works with me every Saturday on college football, he was the football coach here when this allegedly started; Butch Davis works with us as well and he, of course, was the coach for much of this; they both said the same thing. Coaches do not know about what's going on academically
They will find out -- nice shot by Utah from the outside -- if a player is going to class or not. They will find that out and they'll make 'em run, or make 'em come early, longer hours in the weight room to make up for things that happened that they can control. But as far as which course they're taking, how many credits this one counted towards, what the curriculum was this, they don't have knowledge of that. They just don't..at any university.
Vitale: Absolutely, however let's face reality. Coaches are responsible for the people that are in their program and have to be accountable to a certain degree. However in this scenario here this was flat out cheating done by a lot of academic advisers out there, manipulating -- big time -- classes and grades to get players eligible.
And it wasn't only players...
Saunders: It wasn't only players, exactly.
Vitale: 48% were athletes. 52% were non-athletes, would get in paper classes, never showing up and that's a disgrace and a humiliation, an embarrassment to all the quality people that have graduated here and did things the right way.
My Comment: Now, here's that transcript again with my reaction interspersed in red.
John Saunders: Welcome back to North Carolina where some tremendous and well-remembered student athletes have passed through, and many of them through this building, and through many courses here at North Carolina.
My Comment: I was wondering if -- and if so, how -- they'd broach the subject of the scandal. It came after a timeout and return from a commercial spot, and seemed (at least to me) to have been pre-planned. Saunders starts it off here by setting up the overarching premise and tone: that UNC has a grand tradition of academic excellence with notable student-athletes, preparing the ground for the conclusion that the scandal should not be a blemish on the student-athletes, past and present, nor the coaches, representing the university. There is outrage and blame to come, and as we'll see, it's because certain elements within UNC let the student-athletes and coaches down...according to Vitale and Saunders.
And right now the school is dealing with what some would call a scandal. Which is -- there was a certain curriculum here under which, allegedly, the players never actually did work in classes that they received credit for. And Dick, it's something that Coach Roy Williams has had to deal with and it's been really difficult for him and others who have coached here in the past as well.
Bob's Comment: Curious that Saunders chose not to refer to the scandalized department by name.
Also curious why "some would call it a scandal." There's not much "allegedly" left about whether or not the scandal happened, and I'm not sure there's anyone still resisting use of the term "scandal."
What Saunders might mean is that "allegedly" players "never actually did work." Can't be that either if you've read the Wainstein Report since it plainly states that no evidence was found of any credit or grade being awarded in cases where no assignments were submitted. Whether or not a term paper submission qualifies, de facto, as "work" is a matter of debate. Either way ("allegedly" or "never actually did work"), Saunders gets it wrong.
Finally, Saunders sets the stage for how difficult this has been for the coaches, particularly Roy Williams. Instead of being a possible contributors to the scandal, the coaches are to be seen as victims impacted by the actions of others.
Dick Vitale: Well you know John, talking to people involved with the University, people that have graduated; I talked to one graduate that has two degrees. He said, really, "it's been absolutely a disgrace. I'm disappointed. I'm hurt, but most of all many of my friends who've graduated from this fine university, we're angry. We're angry. Where were all these academic advisers during that time?"
Bob's Comment: Here's the upper cut to Saunders' jab. Why are UNC people hurt and angry? Because, according to Vitale, academic advisers sullied the reputation and threatened the integrity of the school. That's why. That's who.It was in front of them. It started in 1993, John. I mean you can't try to solve this here in the matter of 30 seconds, but it's ugly . It's disgraceful. We haven't certainly seen the end of it. The NCAA is looking into it right now
But I will say this. Coaches are told by these academic people to stay away -- I've talked to a number of coaches -- "don't get involved with their classes. Let us handle that."
My Comment: The Wainstein report said concerns from both coaching staff and academic adviser folks about independent studies were allayed by senior faculty. Williams, himself, in interviews says he's been advised by NCAA compliance experts he shouldn't micromanage academics or try to interact with teachers to avoid the perception of trying to exert influence on them. Vitale is reinforcing this, defending Williams from complicity.
Well, I say, where were the academic advisers? They were all part of it. They fired a number of them here. Got rid of 'em. And I'll tell you it is sad because this is one great university and I know many of their graduates are so disappointed and hurt by what has transpired.
My Comment: Blame has to land somewhere, and within the span of 30 seconds, he's indicted the academic advisers three times now.
He exaggerates the disciplinary actions meted out so far (as far as we know.) "A number of them" is probably just Jamie Lee and Beth Bridger (who had since moved over to UNC-Wilmington and was let go from there.) Other advisers that were still around to be fired haven't been, yet. Maybe they will, but it's not as if UNC cleaned house of all the "bad apple" advisers.
Saunders: Roy Williams is here, and he said he obviously had no knowledge of this, but in backing him up, Mack Brown works with me every Saturday on college football, he was the football coach here when this allegedly started; Butch Davis works with us as well and he, of course, was the coach for much of this; they both said the same thing. Coaches do not know about what's going on academically.
My Comment: No idea how a coach having no knowledge of the paper class practice is obvious. On the contrary, it seems more obvious to me that he would know. Maybe that's a bias. I sure wouldn't swallow that if it was Coach K claiming ignorance.
They will find out -- nice shot by Utah from the outside -- if a player is going to class or not. They will find that out and they'll make 'em run, or make 'em come early, longer hours in the weight room to make up for things that happened that they can control. But as far as which course they're taking, how many credits this one counted towards, what the curriculum was this, they don't have knowledge of that. They just don't..at any university.
My Comment: Never understood how additional athletic training was supposed to be punishment for off-the-court/field discipline issues. Well, whatever; Saunders really is driving home the limits to what a coach should be expected to know about players' academics. Guess I'll just say I beg to differ.
Vitale: Absolutely, however let's face reality. Coaches are responsible for the people that are in their program and have to be accountable to a certain degree. However in this scenario here this was flat out cheating done by a lot of academic advisers out there, manipulating -- big time -- classes and grades to get players eligible.
My Comment: Vitale's final blow to those advisers, pinning everything on the them, even using the "C" work. No blaming the student-athletes, nor the coaches, nor the faculty nor administration leadership. Not whoever might want to create the incentive for those advisers to engage in this practice. .
The Wainstein report made a point of disclaiming that the objective of the scheme was to "get players eligible." I happen to believe that WAS the motive, but I'm not sure Vitale realizes this isn't the conclusion of the investigation report.
And it wasn't only players...
Saunders: It wasn't only players, exactly.
Vitale: 48% were athletes. 52% were non-athletes, would get in paper classes, never showing up and that's a disgrace and a humiliation, an embarrassment to all the quality people that have graduated here and did things the right way.
My Comment: They did, at least, get that one factoid right.
