Reggie Bush may have left a legacy at USC, but his alleged improper acts could come back and haunt the program
The most preeminent athletic program in the PAC-10 awaits its fate for alleged impropriety. The NCAA committee on infractions will release its findings of its investigation of both the University of Southern California’s basketball team and football team regarding NCAA violations.
USC already addressed the issue surrounding basketball phenom O.J. Mayo and opted with self imposed sanctions. The school put a ban on postseason play, reduced scholarships, and vacated all wins from 2007-08.
The football team is facing allegations involving 2005 Heisman trophy winner Reggie Bush. It was alleged that Bush and his family received money and other improper benefits during his recruitment and playing days. If the committee finds those allegations to be true, the program will face scholarship reductions, postseason bans, and recruiting restrictions.
The football program is no stranger to violating NCAA rules as it did so as recent as 2001 (tutors wrote papers for players). Since the school is still on probation, additional sanctions will include the forfeiting of games from the Bush era (2003-05), a loss of their BCS national championship title, and Bush may have to return the 2005 Heisman Trophy.
The NCAA is in a position where it can send a stern message regarding repeat offenders. If the investigation finds there were NCAA violations, the infractions committee must do the right thing and punish USC beyond a slap on the wrist. If not, this will open the door for other programs to follow in USC’s path as the risk and reward is clearly worth more than the punishment.
