Despite the two-year NCAA violation probation that smacked Ball State University on Tuesday, the teams haven't been kicked off the courts and fields yet. Unfortunately, there's still a big basketball and baseball labeled "violations investigations" hurtling at the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The athletics textbook scandal and softball overscheduling athletically-related activities finally caught up with the university. The 66 athletes who ripped off Ball State have placed the future of athletics in a precarious place.
It's been 13 years since the university was last on probation (again for two years), and the status isn't a pride point to be highlighted in the next Ball State commercials. It's embarrassing and it's just a step away from being unable to compete in post-season NCAA games. During the next two years, the athletics department must keep its policies clean as a ref's whistle, especially as the NCAA will be keeping a particularly close eye on operations. A screw up or two could mean limited opportunities for one or more sports.
But wait, what about violations the NCAA is still investigating? After all, former basketball coach Ronny Thompson left Ball State amid two accusations of coaches attending practices they weren't allowed at and naming potential players before officially signing them. And Ball State is investigating if coach Greg Beals gave baseball players tobacco. There are at least four violations under investigation that were not included in Tuesday's decision.
Sure, the school wasn't under probation at the time, but they all occurred after the softball scheduling and textbook violations. The NCAA will have to decide what to do, and we'll have to live with its decision. It's the same way we have to accept the additional punishments the association levied on the university Tuesday, even though Ball State already took disciplinary action against the student violators.
If Ball State wants to get through this probation, things have to change in the athletics department. The disorganization and lack of leadership will only increase the chance of the university violating more NCAA rules before probation ends. And the players, teams, department and entire university will have to face the repercussions. If this isn't a wake-up call to every person in athletics, then nothing is.
Ball State isn't really known for its sports and teams, but in the past few years, the department and people in it have been the focus of negative news about arrests, violations and racism. These stories are simply indications of turmoil within the athletics department. If things don't get into control, the negative stories will increase, the violations will become more frequent and athletics will essentially become obsolete at Ball State.
We don't want that. While some of our sports end seasons with losing records, a handful of our teams, i.e. soccer and women's basketball, play well and even win championships. Some students and alumni love tailgate and football games. Others are die-hard volleyball, or other sport, fans. Athletics need to stay at Ball State, and not in a continuous state of probation.
Athletics department - dodge the NCAA violations basketball and baseball headed your way and then avoid having any more violations thrown your way. Probation isn't a time to keep screwing around. Fix yourself fast.
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