From the 2 Live Crew “pay-for play” fiasco of the 1980’s to the 2006 Florida International University Brawl, the Miami University football team’s history has been littered with scandal and controversy. And while many have praised the program for apparently cleaning up its act in recent years, it is time to add a series of shocking allegations to Miami’s already inglorious past.
Police arrested Nevin Shapiro, a former Miami booster, in April of 2010 for his role 930 million Ponzi scheme, and after an 11-month jailhouse investigation, Shapiro told Yahoo! Sports that he gave illegal benefits to at least 72 student athletes from 2002 to 2010. Over this eight year period, Shapiro estimated that he provided millions of dollars to athletes in the form of cash, nightclub and restaurant visits, jewelry, entertainment in his homes and yacht, prostitutes, bounty for injuring an opposing player, and abortions. As well as being unethical in many cases, these benefits violate at least 4 major NCAA bylaws including impermissible compensation to coaches, amateurism of athletes, improper recruiting activity, and extra privileges to athletes.
In response, Miami has reprimanded but not suspended four players, suspended five players for one game, two for four games, and one for six games based on their involvement with Shapiro. However, the NCAA has yet to induce their wrath and many sportswriters believe Miami will face the “death penalty” similar to what SMU faced in 1987 when they had their season cancelled. NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement, “If they're found to be true, it appears we've had a third-party individual have a really pernicious impact on a huge cross-section of student-athletes. The breadth of that would be pretty shocking.”
In fact, some are calling for Miami to shut down their football program altogether. In a letter to Miami President Donna Shalala, Senior Writer for Sports Illustrated Alexander Wolff said, “Deliver change in the system and someday you could revive Hurricanes football in that reformed environment, where your team would have a fighting chance to represent your campus and city as they deserve.”
More than likely the death penalty will not be leveled and Miami will not eliminate their football team, but heavy sanctions will be brought down with restrictions on scholarships and postseasons bans. As for the current season, Miami lost their first game 32-24 to Maryland, and with games against Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Florida State yet to come, spirits are not running high in Coral, Gables.
(Sources: NY Times, Yahoo! Sports)