Would should Bruce get suspended for something that didn't happen in college ? Must be missing something here
Actually it's complicated...
Universities issue NLIs (LOIs as common vernacular...NCAA insiders and compliance departments call them NLIs) at different times under different circumstances and for different sports...but for our purposes...D1P5 Football...and what is known as "Nat'l Signing Day" is actually the start of that specific window...
ok..Universities issue the NLIs, and the then student signs and returns said document (if under 18 w/ parent/guardian signature (remember the A Collins drama), over 18 without...however some Universities are requiring co-sign w/ parent/guardian up to 21)...and the returned NLI must be received nlt 7 days after issuance back to University (if not, University has "right" to not honor if returned late...student is free if they never send it in...it can get complicated...)...then University submits the validated NLIs to their respective conferences...who in turn then submit to the NCAA nlt 21 days after inital issuance...its complicated...
Once the NCAA receives the NLI within the 21 day window...at that moment, the "just a HS student" now becomes, under the eyes of the NCAA, University, and state AND federal contract law (its been challenged and lost by both sides under very specific and unique circumstances) a Prospective Student Athlete (PSA)...its complicated...
Now, under NCAA policy and contract law, the University and now newly PSA enter into a binding agreement where: 1) PSA agrees to meet all NCAA eligibilty and University admission requirements, 2) University agrees to provide PSA an athletic "award" if
#1 is met (and the term "award" sparks the controversy between full scholarship vs gray shirt....again..its complicated), 3) PSA agrees to abide by conduct and representation standards as set forth by the AD AND Dean of Admissions, and 4) in the case of a breech in
#3 , AD AND/OR Dean of Admissions reserves the "right" to discipline either in absentia (prior to PSA actual enrollment) or after arrival and enrollment (changing PSA status to Student-Athlete (SA))...to include an admonishment, suspension from athletic or academic activities, and even dismissal from athletic or academic activities....its complicated...and a good reason why everyone hates the NCAA...
now, IF Bruce did in fact transmit this picture, while under PSA status, brandishing a gun to ANYONE with even the perceived intent of intimidation, coercion, etc..blah, blah, blah...UM's AD AND/OR Dean of Admissions has the "right", based on standards of conduct, to act in how the see they fit tomprotect the University's interests...
It would be in error to assert these athletes are "just kids in HS" or the "NCAA/University has no business with them while in HS..." Fromthe moment they assume PSA status...agree/disagree...it doesnt matter....what does matter is that under then eyes of the NCAA, University, and contract law, they can and do have some greater interactions and discipline options if a PSA "fails" to abide by the terms of an agreement all the parties signed...
It been discussed ad nasuem on this thread the speculation as to Richt's HOW and WHY on this matter...i wont rehash again here...
i think Richt is setting the right tone from an organizational leadership perspective to set the program up for short and long term success...i reserve the right, like all on here, to change said opinion as the Ws or Ls pile up...
Good luck Richt,,,Go Canes