Post by Administrator on Jun 8, 2002 11:57:34 GMT -5
LARRY VAUGHT
Of course, it was UK's day for optimism. School officials will appeal the bowl ban levied on the 2002 UK football team to the NCAA's Infractioins Appeals Committee Aug. 17 in Chicago.
The argument for the appeal is logical -- Kentucky did not benefit in recruiting because of the numerous rules violations committed when Hal Mumme was head coach. Most of the NCAA violations involved players UK recruited, but did not sign.
It was unfair to punish the 2002 team by denying the Wildcats a chance to earn a bowl bid. Never mind that fair is not a word the NCAA uses often. Rigid and hypocritical, not fair, are words I like to associate with the NCAA.
While it might be dreaming to think the Cats could win six games to qualify for a bowl bid after consecutive two-win seasons, it's still not right to take that opportunity away from the 2002 players.
The good news for Morriss is that his players probably won't know until midseason whether they will be bowl eligible or not. By then, UK's success will probably have been determined. If the Cats don't win three of their first four games, the appeal won't matter because there'll be no chance for six victories and a winning season.
Which would just add to the woes the next athletics director is going to face when he or she finally is selected.
Of course, it was UK's day for optimism. School officials will appeal the bowl ban levied on the 2002 UK football team to the NCAA's Infractioins Appeals Committee Aug. 17 in Chicago.
The argument for the appeal is logical -- Kentucky did not benefit in recruiting because of the numerous rules violations committed when Hal Mumme was head coach. Most of the NCAA violations involved players UK recruited, but did not sign.
It was unfair to punish the 2002 team by denying the Wildcats a chance to earn a bowl bid. Never mind that fair is not a word the NCAA uses often. Rigid and hypocritical, not fair, are words I like to associate with the NCAA.
While it might be dreaming to think the Cats could win six games to qualify for a bowl bid after consecutive two-win seasons, it's still not right to take that opportunity away from the 2002 players.
The good news for Morriss is that his players probably won't know until midseason whether they will be bowl eligible or not. By then, UK's success will probably have been determined. If the Cats don't win three of their first four games, the appeal won't matter because there'll be no chance for six victories and a winning season.
Which would just add to the woes the next athletics director is going to face when he or she finally is selected.