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Sport Controversies At Syracuse University

History

Syracuse University is well known for its sports, mainly Basketball and Lacrosse. SU is a Division I school along with being in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Sports are incorporated into student life, allowing athletes to have a college education. SU started their athletic history in 1889 since there have been incidents with the athletic department regarding controversies with coaches and athletes from different departments. All these controversies affected not just the sporting department of u but the campus life of many SU students. Around the early 2000’s, one of the first incidents reported by the NCAA was the YMCA scandal where employees paid SU football and men's basketball players for what was supposed to be community service. Along with that, there was Fab Melo who was a former basketball player for SU for the basketball league. He was receiving improper teaching and assistance that would not be able to qualify in the NCAA requirements. As well as ensuring that he needs to raise his grades to play properly in the NCAA, he was suspended temporarily but able to play later as his grades were able to rise from where they were at. Chase Scanlan was a former player in the lacrosse league. He was charged with domestic violence, and his case is still being processed. Jim Boeheim was unable to monitor the basketball club resulting in not providing drug test results to their players. As a result, 9 games were suspended based on negligence and the YMCA scandal. Bernie Fine was accused of sexual assault in 2011, Davis and his stepbrother were the victims. This Case was mainly not taken under consideration Until Post standard and ESPN were involved in getting more information.

Controversies

Jim Boeheim

Jim Boeheim during a game in 2011 against Georgia Tech.

Jim Boeheim enrolled in Syracuse University in 1962 and was a walk-on to the basketball team however by his senior year Boeheim had risen to team captain. His achievements on the court did not stop here. In 1969 Jim Boeheim turned to coaching and was hired by Roy Danforth as a graduate assistant. In 1976 he became head coach at Syracuse University and would soon lead his team to multiple NCAA tournaments. Jim Boeheim has been coaching for 42 years now and has guided the Syracuse basketball team to an impressive 34 NCAA tournament appearances and five Big East tournament championships. While his achievements are well known by many some may not be aware that things were not always as stellar for the beloved coach.[1]

Jim Boeheim V.S NCAA

Official logo for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

In 2015 a scandal rocked Boeheim and the University. The NCAA penalized Boeheim for numerous violations, greatly affecting the team and causing the University to be at the center of a damaging scandal. In the NCAA’s  findings it was discovered that Boeheim engaged in multiple violations. Among these violations were, academic fraud, extra benefits, and failing to follow the drug policy. In the accusation of academic fraud, a paper was resubmitted by a Syracuse basketball player in which he already completed in order to improve his grade and restore his NCAA eligibility. As the NCAA’s investigation went on they also found other academic employees providing edits to papers and take home tests to three other athletes. In addition to this, Syracuse University reported to the NCAA that staff members of the basketball team encouraged players to find boosters. It was reported that a former SU representative and employee of the local YMCA, Jeffery Cornish provided money to five basketball players. A payment of $8,335 dollars was given to these athletes for non related YMCA events. In 2008 the YMCA sued Cornish for setting up a bank account using the YMCA’s not for profit tax ID number and providing money to athletes.

Unfortunately, the Scandal did not stop there. Syracuse University also reported to the NCAA that between 2001 and 2009 the athletic department administered drug tests to athletes that went against the NCAA’s drug policy.[2] The NCAA rules require that if schools have a drug testing policy it must include substances that are banned. Syracuse University had this written policy but Jim Boeheim along with the athletic director admitted they did not follow it. As a result of these violations the NCAA suspended Jim Boeheim for nine games, subjected him to five years of probation, took away twelve scholarships over the course of four years, and retracted 108 wins, the most taken away from a basketball program in NCAA history. As a result Jim Boeheim was eliminated from the 1,000 - win club which dropped him to sixth on the all-time winning list.

Response by Syracuse University

As can be imagined these violations evoked frustration among the University and Jim Boeheim as they disagreed with the actions taken by the NCAA. In a statement released by Syracuse University chancellor, Kent Syverud, “Although the University recognizes the seriousness of the violations it has acknowledged, it respectfully disagrees with certain findings of the Committee. Specifically, the University strongly disagrees that it failed to maintain institutional control over its athletics programs, or that Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim Boeheim has taken actions that justify a finding that he was responsible for the rules violations.” Kent Syverud further explained that University and coach Jim Boeheim are considering appealing portions of the NCAA’s final report.

On March 18, 2015 Syracuse University decided to appeal the number of vacated wins and the loss of scholarships for the team. The NCAA ruled to only reduce the number of scholarships taken away from the team. In a final statement released by Jim Boeheim regarding the end of the investigation, “I would like to express relief that the NCAA's unparalleled 8-year investigation of the University and the Men's Basketball Program is finally over … As I expressed at the Committee on Infractions Hearing, I acknowledge that violations occurred within the Men's Basketball Program, and as the Head Coach of the Program, I take those violations very seriously.” This scandal most certainly left its mark on Jim Boeheim and the basketball program at Syracuse. Once viewed as one of the model programs in college basketball, according to Bleacher Report.[3] These accusations and findings left a blemish on an otherwise remarkable career for Boeheim and questions surrounding the ethical reputation of the University's athletic programs.      

Chase Scanlan

Background

Chase Scanlan was a sophomore lacrosse player on the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse team.  Before transferring to Syracuse University, he played at Loyola University Maryland for the Loyola Greyhounds. He played midfield at Loyola and played attack at Syracuse.  He was the leading scorer for Syracuse in the 2021 season. Scanlan has received awards and honors for playing Lacrosse.

File:November 2019 US Lacrosse Magazine.jpg

USA Lacrosse Magazine November 2019 Edition

May 2021

In May of 2021, Scanlan was arrested on a “criminal mischief charges in May stemming from a domestic incident”. This reportedly happened on April 18th of 2021. Where Scanlan allegedly broke into Jane Doe’s bathroom resulting in breaking her phone and “squeezing her in a bear hug that made her fear for her life”.  This soon resulted in April 20th that he was suspended from the Men’s Lacrosse team at Cuse until further investigations into the allegations.

Suspension and Reinstate.

Scanlan was reinstated after one game. When teammates on the Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse team found out about Scanlan being reinstated, teammates threatened to walkout if Scanlan were to show up to practice. Captains, “senior midfielder Peter Dearth, junior midfielder Brendan Curry, senior midfielder Jamie Trimboli, sixth-year attackman Stephen Rehfuss and senior goaltender Drake Porter” set up a meeting with Athletic Director John Wildhack regarding Scanlan were to show up to practice they were all prepared to walk out. Scanlan did not show up to practice and he continued to practice by himself until he was suspended again and arrested. During this time, no one made a comment toward this situation regarding Scanlan.

John Desko

Syracuse announced that head coach John Desko will meet with the media regarding the situation about Scanlan on April 28, 2021. Desko only announced Scanlan’s status on the team, not the allegations against him because “federal law prohibits the university from discussing specific issues relating to a student's experience or records at the University”.  Desko stated that he reinstated Scanlan on April 26, 2021 but Scanlan will not travel with the team that weekend in April. Desko had no further comment regarding the situation.  Desko stated towards the media that it was his decision to reinstate Scanlan to come back on to the team.

2021

Currently in 2021, there is a lawsuit filed against the school, John Wildhack (Athletic director), and John Desko (Former Men’s Lacrosse Coach for Syracuse)l from Jane Doe. Stating that the school did not do enough to protect her from Scanlan. She says that there was past behavior of Scanlan that was violent. With the lawsuit the “allegations outlined in the lawsuit include talking, physically pushing the accuser, verbal abuse, breaking property and physical control” . The suit also claims that the school had an indifferent allegation that was stalking and physical abuse coming from Jane Doe. She reported the allegation to school employees.  The school is represented by Jenner and Black, a law firm in New York city. According to Syracuse and the firm they stated that they “did everything it could for the accuser and that the accuser requested the removal of a no contact order put in place in January” .The case against Scanlan remains ongoing in Onondaga County.

Scanlan is currently in the transfer portal. For the remainder of the 2021 season, Scanlan was suspended from all athletic participation from SU Athletics. The case has been transferred to “Family Court Judge Michele Pirro Bailey last month according to syracuse.com”.The case will not be publicized. Scanlan’s former teammates do not support Scanlan’s actions. The team showed their support for “One Love Foundation — an organization that educates youth on healthy and unhealthy relationships” according to Spectrum News.

Bernie Fine

Background

Bernie Fine was the assistant head coach for the Syracuse University men's basketball team. Fine spent 35 years as the assistant head coach at Syracuse, where he became the longest-tenured assistant coach in division-one basketball. However, during his 35th year, his streak would come to a grim, and abrupt end.

Sexual Abuse Allegations

It was in 2011 when sexual assault allegations had been brought up against Berine Fine, resulting in him being fired from his position. It was on ESPN’s Outside the Lines where allegations were brought up that a former ball boy who said that, from the mid-1980s until 2000, Fine had sexually assaulted him. The victim's name was Bobby Davis, who said that “Fine first physically restrained him and touched his penis when Davis was 12 or 13 years old”. Although the allegations were only recently broadcasted, Davis said that he had made his first attempt to shed light on what happened in 2002, where he told Syracuse Police what Fine had done. After the police never got back to him, Davis went on to make his allegations public, where he contacted Syracuse’s newspaper, The Post-Standard, to recount his story of Fine. After nothing came of the interview with The Post-Standard, in 2003 he contacted ESPN. After ESPN investigated Davis’s allegations, they opted not to publish his story, until in 2011 another victim, who was identified as Davis’s stepbrother, came forth saying that Fine had also sexually abused him. In the wake of Penn State's scandal with Sandusky, ESPN broadcasted Davis’s allegations, making his news public.

Investigation on Fine

After the allegations had surfaced on ESPN Outside the Lines, Fine was put on administrative leave as the allegations were being investigated. Fine, and those who were close to him, denied the allegations, saying that the men were only looking for money. Unfortunately for the two step brothers, the Onondaga County District Attorney said that prosecuting Fine would serve no justice, as the incidents they had mentioned occurred over 10 years ago, and that the statute of limitations would prevent them from prosecuting Fine. Not Long after, a third and fourth person came forward with even more allegations of Fine sexually abusing them in Pittsburgh back in 2002. This prompted The United States Secret service to search Fines house, and seize any potential evidence that would help end the investigation.

On November 27th, 2011, ESPN released a taped phone call with Laurie Fine, Bernie's wife, and Bobby Davis, Fines accuser. It was in these tapes where Laurie Fine admittedly said, "I know everything that went on with him ... Bernie has issues, maybe that he's not aware of, but he has issues ... And you trusted somebody you shouldn't have trusted ... ". Not too long after the cell phone call was released, Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor fired Bernie Fine in response to the allegations. After Fine had been fired, the Syracuse University posted a statement regarding the situation saying that if the audio tapes had been released earlier, then they would have taken action a lot sooner. A few months after Bernie Fine had been fired, 2 of the 4 alleged victims came fourth saying that they had fabricated their stories.

On November 9th, 2012, almost a year after the investigation began, federal prosecutors announced that, “Bernie Fine won't be charged in the criminal investigation of child-molesting accusations against the former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach”. Either way as a result of all the allegations, Fine lost his job, and was forced to put his house up for sale.

Syracuse YMCA Scandal

Background

YMCA's (Youth Men's Christian Association) logo.

YMCA is a youth program that helps kids, teens, and young adults to be able to achieve as well as be able to help them in their education. YMCA is a program that allows kids to college students, everyone to be involved in being able to be a part of a very productive program and be able to do many activities, education benefits, and more importantly, help their community. The YMCA has a mission statement that “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all,” in other word it is to ensure that they help the people and their communities by the will of all people.

NCAA And The YMCA

In the early 2000s, one of the first incidents reported by the NCAA was the YMCA scandal where employees paid SU football and men's basketball players for what was supposed to be community service. Scandals will eventually damage both the people involve, schools involve, as well as the respect of any indiouly and how the management is being used on any party involve. During the NCAA investigation, the NCAA was able to report from the YMCA scandal that Syracuse did not report any athletics violation from athletics, even after Syracuse failed to monitor its Basketball club based on failure management on teams in basketball and football.[4]

Jeff Cornish

Fab Melo, former Syracuse University men's basketball player.

Jeff Cornish, a YMCA sports director, gave $8,000 to a small amount of football and basketball student-athletes while as Oneida YMCA’s CEO Hank hired football students with fake credentials and was allowed to play in SU. Penalizing and suspension of coach Jim Bohiem, for 9 conference games as well as Syracuse athlete scholarships, were penalized and lowered to the scholarships that will be given from 2015-2018. There were a lot of issues that were happening in the SU community especially in the sports clubs. There was also a case based on this action that the YMCA had a lawsuit that accused Cornish in 2008 by the supreme court that Cornish had a bank account that had not-for-profit cash by YMCA, it was dropped 8 months later Cornish was still supportive of YMCA. All these scandals were caused by how they all have a way to correlate with each other an underhand cash being given to certain parties or members as they are being exposed. Fab Melo, one of the basketball students in YMCA was playing in the NCAA tournaments wrongly based on how his grades were no acceptable to continuing play. Despite this fact the paperwork for him to continue the NCAA matches was “allowed hime to play.”[5]

Impact On Sports Administration

The YMCA Scandel was a very interesting point that is still being investigated, based on the carelessness of the Basketball team management and the giving money to students from the Syracuse football teams not in the contract given to players. As the penalties were given to all the students, couches, and the sport clubs themselves better handle of the clubs and treatment are now given to ensure that they are no future incidents. [6]

Fab Melo

In the summer of 2012, Syracuse university learned that men's basketball player fab melo, who identified as a “student athlete” was having trouble academically and received improper assistance with achieving progress towards his degree. His academic issues resulted in receiving suspension and ending his reason before the NCAA tournament for spring semester. The committee then constructed an appropriate meeting hosted by athletic director Daryl Gross discussing  how to get Melo back on the floor and decipher Melo's eligibility within institutional and NCAA requirements to reinstate melo. They concluded that Melo was allowed to re-submit a paper from a class taken two semesters prior to raise his grade for eligibility. In order to receive the grade change he would have to write a 4-5 page paper about what personal difficulties / problems he's had since enrolling at Syracuse university. His work was considered “inadequate” in january 27, 2012 by his professor, melo then submitted his assignment and received sufficient credit to raise his grade from a C+ to a B-. On January 30th, two days before melo was declared clear to play basketball again,a whistle blower raised questions. The Syracuse university college of arts and sciences then questioned the grade change. Both the NCAA and the university investigated the circumstances behind Melos regaining eligibility. They later found out that staffers on the men's basketball team completed Melo's assignment, found on file metadata with the help of director of basketball operations Stan Kissle and receptionist Debora Belanger. Kissle also had the passwords of players' email and posed as the athletes when dealing with professors. Without Melo they would then lose to Ohio State and would have failed to get to the elite eight. Later on in the years fab melo died on february 11th, 2017 in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He was pronounced dead and found by his mother the following morning. It was then discovered after that he had suffered from a heart attack.

References

nmink@syracuse.com, N. M. |. (2014, November 17). NCAA investigation: Internship Hours, ties between YMCA and Syracuse athletes part of inquiry. syracuse. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.syracuse.com/orangesports/2014/11/ncaa_investigation_internship_hours_ties_between_ymca_and_syracuse_athletes_part.html. NCAA.org - the official site of the NCAA. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/syracuse-did-not-control-athletics-basketball-coach-failed-monitor. ESPN Internet Ventures. (2015, March 6). NCAA penalizes Syracuse, Boeheim. ESPN. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12432471/ncaa-suspends-jim-boeheim-nine-games-cuts-syracuse-orange-scholarships.