In absolving Baylor, toothless NCAA once again shows utter ineffectiveness

The NCAA has decided that Baylor should not face any punishments for the sexual assault allegations made five years ago, and in doing so, has solidified their image as a toothless and disgraceful organization.

The NCAA committee on infractions has placed Baylor on four years probation based on other infractions not related to the sexual assault allegations — but no postseason ban, no loss of scholarships, and horrifically, what amounts to absolving Baylor of wrongdoing in the widely-publicized sexual assault scandal.

In an article published by Mark Schlabach and Lavigne on ESPN — co-authors of the book, Violated, which details the Baylor sexual assault saga — the absolute failure of the NCAA is spelled out in no uncertain terms.

"“In its report, the NCAA said the committee could not conclude that Baylor or [Art] Briles violated NCAA rules by failing to report allegations of sexual and interpersonal violence committed on the campus. The NCAA’s decision is the latest example in which it has stepped away from punishing schools for issues related to sexual misconduct by athletes; the NCAA declined to take action in a case involving Michigan State and Larry Nassar and its athletic program in 2018.”"

The message is clear from the NCAA once again. Money above all. Forget integrity. Forget student safety. Forget a moral compass. Just. Make. Money.

The committee ruling referred to in the ESPN article is enough to make anyone with a sense of what’s right and wrong sick to their stomach.

"“Baylor admitted to moral and ethical failings in its handling of sexual and interpersonal violence on campus but argued those failings, however egregious, did not constitute violations of NCAA rules. Ultimately, and with tremendous reluctance, this panel agrees. To arrive at a different outcome would require the [committee] to ignore the rules the Association’s membership has adopted — rules under which the [committee] is required to adjudicate. Such an outcome would be antithetical to the integrity of the infractions process.”"

It’s incredible what the NCAA believes does and does not violate their rules.

Unreported sexual assault and non-cooperation by a principal player in the case? Not a violation of NCAA rules.

Players get discounts on tattoos from local tattoo artists? Violation of NCAA rules.

The case against Baylor was compelling, yet the NCAA cowered and caved

The entire NCAA report is filled with double-talk and double-standards, bobbing and weaving like a boxer trying to avoid haymakers from an obviously superior opponent.

Sentences like “a lot of these things that we’re talking about, they’re not NCAA rules violations . . . [or] university policy violations. They’re felonies. [W]e’re talking about rapes and physical assaults.”

So, let’s get this straight, according to the NCAA infractions committee, felonies such as rapes and physical assaults are not NCAA rules violations or against university policy.

Got it.

Makes one wonder why this organization even exists.

The NCAA has spent decades overreaching, over-governing, and micromanaging the players who are responsible for bringing in the millions upon millions of dollars the NCAA and all its members so lavishly enjoy. Yet, when it comes to actual criminal activity and the endangerment of the student body not wearing a football uniform, they foolishly hide behind their sham of a rulebook.

The father of every female student at any university in the United States should be both furious and fearful based on this ruling.

Meanwhile, supporters of former Baylor head football coach Art Briles, who was fired as a result of this scandal, are thrilled that he’s been basically cleared of any wrongdoing and is now free to once again pursue a job coaching college football.

More’s the pity.

This ruling is an abject failure to accomplish what the stated mission of the NCAA is in its entirety. As stated on their own website, “cultivating an environment that emphasizes academics, fairness, and well-being across college sports.”

They couldn’t be more ineffective and should be dismantled in favor of a governance organization that truly has the best interests of all student-athletes as well as the entire student body in mind.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for that day.