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THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
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THE TIMES LEADER
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What a hornet’s nest Al Golden landed in at Miami It’s hard to blame Al Golden if he isn’t thinking clearly. His claim that taking over the Temple football program “prepared me for” the avalanche of sludge that is about to engulf him at the University of Miami is somewhere between denial and outright madness. Golden also told reporters Wednesday morning that he hadn’t yet read the devastating Yahoo.com report, which was based on 11 months of cooperation with Nevin Shapiro — who is to college football boosters what Dr. Hannibal Lecter was to psychiatrists. Extending that analogy, the Miami football program is the census taker whose liver went well with some “fava beans and a nice chianti.” Shapiro, in prison for running a $930 million Ponzi scheme, detailed a decade-long trampling of the NCAA rulebook. He said he gave gifts and money to more than 70 Miami football
OPINION PHIL SHERIDAN players, did favors for coaches, and was well known to the university president, administrators, and coaches. At a time when the NCAA seems to be getting serious about enforcement, Miami football could be looking at the so-called “death penalty” — a one-year abolishment of the program — along with myriad other penalties. On top of that, the NCAA’s official investigation could last as long as Golden’s tenure. The investigation of the Southern Cal program, which found wrongdoing and a lack of institutional oversight regarding payments made to running back Reggie Bush — a Heisman Trophy winner — lasted four years. So Golden could be forced to coach and recruit with suspensions and postseason
bans and the loss of scholarships hanging over him. That hardly compares to Temple’s low Academic Progress Rate, which cost the program scholarships before Golden arrived. He quickly improved the APR before Temple was hit with other sanctions. Temple had some water in the engine room when Golden got there. Miami has a huge new tear in its hull. It’s going to the bottom. It is a terrible situation, and Golden is an innocent victim. He would be well within his rights to ask the university to release him from his contract. Either the athletic director and other officials knew about Shapiro when Golden was hired in December or they are complete imbeciles. They are not complete imbeciles. “If they knew this was percolating,” Golden told reporters in Coral Gables, Fla., “then I believe they did have a responsib-
ility to tell me.” But he also said he planned to stick it out and make a go of things at Miami. Whether that was meant mostly for the ears of his 24 incoming recruits, or whether he will change his mind when the full scope of this morass becomes clear, will become clearer with time. The truly disturbing part of the Shapiro story is not that one man, who happens to bear a creepy resemblance to Lenny Dykstra, was able to run amok at one high-profile college football program. It is the peek that this story, hard on the heels of the Ohio State scandal that cost Jim Tressel his job, gives us into the way big-time college programs really operate. “It’s everywhere,” Shapiro told Yahoo.com, referring to his own actions and worse. “Everywhere that it matters. Most people can’t even understand it.” Shapiro was allowed on the
sideline or in the press box for Miami games. A players’ lounge was named after him. He was photographed with university president Donna Shalala and a number of coaches. Meanwhile, he was giving players cash and entertaining them at his mansion, in strip clubs, on a yacht and in the VIP section of nightclubs. The list of his benefactors includes a dozen current Miami players, plus a bunch of current and former NFL players: Vince Wilfork, the late Sean Taylor, Devin Hester, dozens more. Shapiro’s story, which he corroborates with photos and phone records and receipts, points out both the need for and the futility of paying college athletes. NCAA rules make players much more vulnerable to a deep-pocketed sycophant such as Shapiro. But it’s just as clear that a modest stipend isn’t going to deter starry-eyed young jocks from partying like
rock stars or taking $50,000 bundles of cash. That’s the larger issue. The more immediate one has a terrific guy, Golden, dealing with a terrible situation he did nothing to bring about. Miami is fortunate to have someone as honorable as Golden handling this impossible situation. “You can sit there and feel sorry for yourself and say you got blindsided,” Golden told reporters, “but at the end of the day we have a chance to be a really good football team and a chance to be a really great program.” The shame of it is that Golden did a stellar job at Temple and earned this career-making opportunity with a storied program. He just couldn’t have known what a disgusting story the Miami program would turn out to be. Phil Sheridan is a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
YANKEES Continued from Page 1B
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Runners take off to start the female division of the NEPA Crossfit Mile at Kirby Park in WilkesBarre on Wednesday night.
and finish the competition at the Wet Paint T-Shirts River Street Mile in Wilkes-Barre on Sept. 2. Tomorrow, Ciravolo treks to Burlington, Vt., for the USA Continued from Page 1B Triathlon Age Group National ness HQ Giants Despair Chal- Championships for her second lenge in Laurel Run on Aug. 24 triathlon race in less than a week.
MILE
For Robbins, the sprint marked the first mile race he has ever competed in. “I tell you – these are tough,” Robbins said. “I’m more winded now than I am after the triathlon. There are some fast runners here.”
BOXING
Mayweather, others sued in shooting incident The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — Superstar boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is facing a civil lawsuit from a pair of men who say he orchestrated a shooting attack on them two years ago outside a Las Vegas skating rink. The lawsuit obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press accuses Mayweather, Ocie Harris and others of making threats since the attack. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the undefeated boxer had nothing to do with the shooting or any of the alleged acts. “As in most civil cases this is just another attempt to extort money,” Ellerbe said. “An educated observer would
MIAMI Continued from Page 1B
In the past 18 months, the football teams at Southern California, Ohio State, Auburn, Oregon, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and LSU each have been investigated or sanctioned by the NCAA. Shalala said she was upset, disheartened and saddened by Shapiro’s allegations. “We will vigorously pursue the truth, wherever that path may lead, and I have insisted upon complete, honest and transparent cooperation with the NCAA from our staff and students,” Shalala said in a statement. Most cases are resolved in six
examine the background of these individuals and immediately question their credibility,” he said. A lawyer for Harris, who is accused of firing shots in the incident, was not immediately available for comment. Harris has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in the shooting. His trial is scheduled for February. Lawyers for Quincey Williams and Damien Bland said in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that they want Mayweather and his associates to stop contacting their clients, plus an unspecified amount of money for damages. Robert Adams and Robert Eglet, the lawyers who filed the suit, were not available Wednesto seven months, but more complex investigations take longer, an NCAA official said. Shapiro was sentenced to prison in June for masterminding a $930 million Ponzi scheme, plus ordered to pay more than $82 million in restitution to investors. He gave 100 hours of jailhouse interviews to Yahoo Sports, the website reported. NCAA investigators were on the Miami campus this week and have interviewed Shalala and Shawn Eichorst, who was hired as athletic director in April to replace Kirby Hocutt. Golden, who is in his first year as Miami’s coach after Randy Shannon was fired, said he’s eager to obtain answers quickly, in part so his players don’t repeat past mistakes. “If they were exposed to Mr.
day because they were preparing for an unrelated trial, their office said. Mayweather is undefeated in 41fights and has won titles in five divisions. He currently is training for a Sept.17 fight against Victor Ortiz. According to police, Mayweather argued with Williams on the night of the shooting inside the Crystal Palace Skating Center. Police say the Aug. 23, 2009, incident started over a text message Williams sent Mayweather saying he hoped the boxer would lose his upcoming fight. At the time, Mayweather was preparing to face Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather won that bout by unanimous decision. Shapiro, clearly we have to make sure we prevent that going forward,” Golden said. “How did this guy, if he did, get around our players like that? ... We want to make sure it never happens again. It shouldn’t happen.” Yahoo Sports published its story Tuesday, saying in addition to the Shapiro interviews conducted over 11 months, it audited thousands of pages of financial and business records to examine his claims, some involving events nearly a decade ago. The NCAA’s four-year statute of limitations doesn’t apply when there is a pattern of willful violations that continues into the past four years. A person familiar with the situation said much of Shapiro’s access to Hurricane programs in recent years was approved by Ho-
zleton Area standout Russ Canzler. The Yankees got one back in the bottom half of the first. Greg Golson blasted a solo home run halfway up the scoreboard in leftcenter to make it 2-1. Durham extended its lead to 3-1 in the top of the seventh off of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reliever Lance Pendleton. Beckham crushed a two-out triple into the gap in left-center and scored on a single by Guyer in the next at-bat. Rodriguez got the Yankees to within 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth with a laser single down the right field line. Jordan Parraz scored easily from third, and Rodriguez’s night was done, having reached base three times. Chris Dickerson came in to pinch run. “I saw the ball very well the last two days,” Rodriguez said. “That doesn’t mean I’m locked in. I am seeing the ball well and my legs are under me and I have great balance.” Jesus Montero continued the two-out rally with an infield single to shortstop, giving the Yankees runners at the corners. Jorge Vazquez, however, grounded out to end the inning. Manny Banuelos suffered his second loss of the season, falling to 0-2 with a 3.48 ERA. He pitched well despite the loss, going four innings while allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked two. Scott Proctor made his Scranton/Wilkes-Barre debut tonight after being released by the AtlantaBraves.Heallowedasingleand a double to the first two hitters, but he battled back and worked two groundouts and a strikeout to get out of the jam. Matt Moore was impressive in a no-decision on the mound for
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
Durham’s Russ Canzler, a Hazleton native, takes his lead after reaching on an Alex Rodriguez error on Wednesday. He later added a double and an RBI.
Durham. He went four innings allowing just one run on one hit. He walked three and struck out eight. His performance even earned some praise from Rodriguez. “He threw the ball extremely well, so it was a great challenge,” Rodriguez said. “Any time you can face a lefty that can get it up in the mid-90s and has a good changeup and a good slider, I (think) it’s a good battle.” Rodriguez expects to rejoin New York on the Yankees’ trip to Minnesota but isn’t sure when he will be back in the lineup. Notes • Dellin Betances will make his Triple-A debut today against Durham. In 21starts for double-A Trenton, he went 4-6 with an ERA of 3.42 in 1051⁄3 innings. Right-hander Alex Torres will take the hill for the Bulls. He is 8-6 on the season with an ERA of 3.23. He has not pitched against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre thus far in 2011.
The Yankees and Bulls continue their four game series at PNC Field today. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. • New York claimed left-handed pitcher Raul Valdes off of waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. He was then optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but has not yet been activated by the team. Durham 3, Yankees 2 Yankees ab r h bi ab r h bi Beckham ss 5 2 2 0 Golson cf 3 1 1 1 Guyer rf 5 1 3 1 Parraz rf 4 0 0 0 Jaso c 4 0 2 1 Rodrigz 3b 2 0 1 1 Johnson 1b 4 0 1 0 Dickrsn pr-lf 0 0 0 0 Canzler dh 4 0 1 1 Montero c 3 0 1 0 Carson lf 4 0 0 0 Vazquez 1b 4 0 0 0 Matulia cf 3 0 0 0 Laird lf-3b 4 0 0 0 Olmedo 2b 4 0 0 0 Tiffee dh 4 0 1 0 Furmaniak 3b 3 0 0 0 Nunez 2b 4 0 2 0 Bernier ss 2 1 0 0 Lamb ph 1 0 0 0 Totals 36 3 9 3 Totals 31 2 6 2 Durham .............................. 200 000 100 — 3 Yankees ............................. 100 000 010 — 2 DUR — 2B: Jaso (2), Canzler (38); 3B: Beckham (2); Team RISP: 2-for-10; Team LOB: 8; PO: Furmaniak. SWB — HR: Golson (7); SAC: Golson; Team RISP: 2-for-7; Team LOB: 7; SB: Dickerson (14); E: Rodriguez (1). IP H R ER BB SO Durham Moore ....................... 4.0 1 1 1 3 8 Bateman (W, 1-2) .... 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 Russell (H, 2)........... 1.2 1 1 1 1 1 De La Rosa (S, 5) ... 1.1 3 0 0 0 1 Yankees Banuelos (L, 0-2)..... 4.0 5 2 2 2 5 Pendleton................. 3.0 2 1 1 0 3 Proctor...................... 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 Kensing .................... 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 Umpires: HP: Gerard Ascani; 1B: David Rackley; 3B: Toby Basner. T: 3:02. Att: 10,408. Durham
Strasburg hit hard in third rehab start HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Stephen Strasburg was hit hard Wednesday night in his third rehabilitation start following Tommy John surgery. The Washington Nationals’ right-hander allowed five runs and four hits over12-3 innings for the Class-A Hagerstown Suns
against the Lexington Legends. Strasburg cruised through his first two rehab starts, but he gave up a walk, double, single and double Wednesday before retiring his first batter. He also allowed a double and a walk in the second inning before being pulled as he approached his pitch-count limit of
50. He struck out three and walked two. In his three starts, Strasburg has thrown 6 1-3 innings, allowing six runs and nine hits with 12 strikeouts and two walks. He is expected to make three more starts before returning to the majors next month.
cutt, who is now at Texas Tech. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. Hocutt, the person said, allowed Shapiro on the sideline before football games at times during the 2008 season, plus invited him to select gatherings reserved for the athletic department’s biggest donors. “That’s what Kirby did,” the person said. “His No. 1 job was to raise money and this Nevin Shapiro guy was one of the few people Kirby could get to write checks.” In a statement, Hocutt said Shapiro was treated like other members of the Hurricane Club. “While I was athletics director, the benefits and experiences Mr.
Shapiro received were consistent with those provided to others at his membership level,” Hocutt said. “I never personally approved any special access for Mr. Shapiro to university athletics events or programs.” Larry Coker, who coached the Hurricanes in 2001-06, said he had not been contacted by the NCAA or Miami about the investigation. Any coach or athletic direction involved in the case who now works at another school could be subject to NCAA punishment if found guilty of a violation. The AP interviewed more than a dozen former Hurricanes, and their reactions ranged from denials of involvement to declining comment. New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle declined to dis-
cuss the allegations but said Shapiro is mad about being in prison and directing his emotions at the Hurricanes. “There is a lot of drama going on, and it’s all caused by one guy, one angry guy,” Rolle said. “Obviously he is on a rampage to cause havoc.” Miami was once among the best and most intimidating teams in college football, but Shapiro was around the program during a period of only modest success for the Hurricanes, who won their most recent national championship in 2001. “I’m not upset about the U allegations,” tweeted Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez, who pitched at Miami. “I’m mad we didn’t win anything while we were cheating.”