UGA Benches Seventeen Players For Violations (UGA's Latest Woes)

Atlanta Journal & Constitution ^ | 05/15/03 | Mark Schlabach

[kcordell]

UGA benches 17 players for violations

By MARK SCHLABACH Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Seventeen University of Georgia football players have been suspended or declared ineligible to play, and the Bulldogs could be without as many as seven projected starters when the defending SEC champions open their season against Clemson on Aug. 30.

The breakdown: Nine players have been declared ineligible for selling their 2002 SEC championship rings, four players have been suspended for violations of unspecified team rules and five players were suspended last month after being arrested on charges of marijuana possession. Cornerback Tim Jennings, one of the players suspended in the marijuana case, was among the players declared ineligible for selling his ring.

"I'm always concerned about [being shorthanded]," Georgia football coach Mark Richt said, "but we've got to do what we've got to do with discipline. We've got to do what gets the players' attention. I hope it doesn't cost us a game."

The other players declared ineligible for selling their rings are receivers Michael Johnson and Fred Gibson, cornerbacks Kenny Bailey and Bruce Thornton, defensive tackle Darrius Swain, nose tackle Kedric Golston, linebacker Tony Taylor and walk-on Trey Young.

Georgia will appeal to the NCAA to restore the players' eligibility. It was unclear how many games, if any, the players will miss.

In 2000, former Kentucky basketball player Myron Anthony sold his 1998 NCAA championship ring on eBay for $7,100 after transferring to Texas Christian University. Anthony played the following season for the Horned Frogs and was not suspended by the NCAA, a TCU spokesman said.

The Georgia Athletic Association has recovered the rings the Bulldog players sold. The players will be required to make restitution for the money they received from the sale of their rings.

One unidentified individual bought the rings from the players for various amounts, UGA compliance director Amy Chisholm said. The buyer is not a Bulldog booster, she said.

Richt suspended four players for violations of unspecified team rules, the school announced: running back Tyson Browning, defensive back B.J. Fields, fullback Chris Hickman and linebacker Jamario Smith. All but Browning were suspended for one game; he was suspended for three.

In April, Richt suspended five players for at least the first two games after their arrests on charges of marijuana possession: Jennings, wide receiver Bryan McClendon, defensive back DeMario Minter, wide receiver Mario Raley and offensive lineman Randall Swoopes.

Swoopes has transferred to Georgia Military College but could be allowed to transfer back to the University of Georgia, the university said.

All five players were given pretrial diversion May 6 in Athens Municipal Court. Pretrial diversion is for first offenders and requires them to do community service work.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb, a captain on last year's team, said he was surprised that some of his teammates sold their rings so quickly. Richt had spoken to the players several times about not selling them, Stinchcomb said.

"He said it's sad to see that there are always a couple of guys that sell their rings," the former player said.

[over3Owithabrain]

Also, if it was simply an even education-for-performance deal, shouldn't the colleges only take in enough to cover said education costs? Why do they come out ahead by the millions then? It's a racket.

[Ga Rob]

Didn't mean to come across to strong, nothing personal here either.

I too believe that rules should be changed, the players given a stipend, health insurance, life insurance, etc. But that is not the case right now. Until it is the players will have to deal with the rules and the facts as they are.

[familyofman]

"The coach has GOT to win; he's got to get the best players, and their moral underpinnings often are the odd factor out."
Coaches and administrators should not be so quick to give into the "win at any cost" mentality. We fans should not either. Remember, these are supossed to be "student-athelets", not a pack of hired studs.
I am a strong supporter of making all schools with a less than 75% graduation rate (over at least five years) banned from all post season play - in all sports. Otherwise college competition will remain the sham that it is now at many of the "top" schools. What was the graduation rate for the "sweet 16" teams over the last five years, not to mention the BCS bowl teams?

[WhiskeyPapa]

You have good ideas.

There is SO much money involved I wouldn't look for any significant changes from the NCAA. Some of the rules they have now are under attack in the courts.

Walt

[over3Owithabrain]

Personally, I think baseball does it the best of the big sports (hockey too). They have an extensive minor league system, with pay, for those young men with talent who either finished college or prefer not to go to school. Thus the college level is not as fraught with money-grubbing and exploitation. Of course, people expect now a very high exciting level of collegiate football and basketball, so nobody is really trying to change this.

[familyofman]

"There is SO much money involved..."

I guess that means $$$$$ trumps everything else, including "doing the right thing". If so, we are truly in big world of hurt, not only in NCAA sports.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Sure. What I could have said in amplification before is that the NCAA will cave when the legal expenses outweigh what little shame they have.

Money, money, money.

Walt

[Ga Rob]

Yeah you're right. I think that shows the diffrence in the 2 sports. Baseball I think takes maturing, more time to learn. Ya know? Where as football players can be washed up by the time they are 29 or 30. Alot of baseball players don't come into their own until their middle to late 20's.