Logo

Binghamton University has received the independent report on the problems in their athletic department, particularly basketball, since their move up to NCAA Division I status. The school may wish they never asked for it for a number of reasons.

First, they the paid US$913,000 to a law firm for the report that frankly could have been done for a lot less money to reach the conclusions/recommendations that could have been obtained by just reading the newspapers. Taxpayers should be upset that this much was spent for reports similar to those of length and impact, one of one that included possible Congressional malfeasance, that I have personally done in a month on a U.S. Government salary.

Second, it paints an uglier picture of gross incompetence on the part of the university president and academic arms in the various schools in terms of institutional control and academic integrity.

Third, it shows that coaches know full well they are skirting or braking the rules when the tell athletes via text message to only communicate with them by telephone or in person. Why do this? The simple reason is to make sure there is no paper trail.

Finally, the four corrective actions proposed are at best weak, and at worst a politically worded product the law firm should be ashamed that they produced as a public document. 

You can read the full pdf of the report and form your own conclusions.