The University of Tennessee wrapped up its defense before the NCAA Committee on Infractions a week ago Saturday.
In the nine days since, NCAA president Mark Emmert has told USA Today, “We are at a crossroads. The fact is there is a lot of frustration, not just out in the world but inside intercollegiate athletics. I have a lot of frustration.”
In an attempt to alleviate some of that frustration, Emmert announced he will host a retreat this summer at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis to discuss with 50 or so college presidents and chancellors many of big-time athletics’ problems.
Academics, finances and the fairest way to treat athletes in football and men’s basketball – the chief moneymakers of college sports – are all expected to be discussed in depth, as well as other issues.
And with significant infractions cases still on the table at Tennessee, Ohio State, North Carolina and Boise State – plus the much-publicized controversies that dampened the euphoria of a football national title at Auburn and a basketball championship for Connecticut, the time to heighten the public’s respect for major college sports is well overdue.