St. Bonaventure’s Problems
I’m Chuck Wilson with an ESPN Radio Extra Point.
Seven weeks ago, St. Bonaventure University had to deal with perhaps the most embarrassing episode in its history.
The school’s president allegedly had overruled the compliance officer and allowed a junior college transfer with a welding certificate instead of an Associates Degree, to play for the basketball team, in violation of NCAA guidelines.
Then, when the Atlantic 10 Conference ruled the team must forfeit games and would be barred from the conference tournament, the players quit, refusing to play the remaining two games on the schedule.
St. Bonaventure was ridiculed from coast to coast.
But instead of running for cover or offering up a mid-level scapegoat, St. Bonaventure took the highest road possible, the one of full disclosure, accountability and integrity.
The school’s president, athletic director, coach and an assistant coach resigned or were fired.
The Board of Trustees stood tall, and the review committee it assigned, produced a report that should serve as a model for school’s dealing with academic fraud.
Here’s one case where the NCAA should say to the school “job well done”, and impose no further sanctions.
Founder & Executive Director
Chuck Wilson is an award-winning host, interviewer, and commentator. He was an original host on ESPN Radio and was with the network for close to 17-years. In 2007, Wilson was named one of the 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America by the Institute for International Sport. He is the founder of Even Field.