Options
'Clean' NCAA playoff games sought
stevek
Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
'Clean' NCAA playoff games sought
By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY
The last thing the NCAA needs on the road to the Final Four is even a whiff of the point-shaving scandals that have periodically rocked college basketball: at Arizona State and Northwestern in 1997-1998; Tulane in 1985; Boston College in 1981; St. Joseph's in 1961 and City College of New York in 1951.
That's why, for the second year in a row, the NCAA asked FBI agents to warn players, coaches and trainers from all 32 teams in the regional round on the ways gamblers try to use them to try to beat the point spread, says Rachel Newman Baker, director of agents, gambling and amateurism activity.
Previously, the FBI only briefed teams that reached the Final Four.
During last year's round of 16, for example, a male basketball player she refuses to name received a suspicious text-mail message asking for "inside information." The case was turned over to the FBI.
"We want to insure we keep the games clean," says Newman Baker.
The NCAA also has an interactive website, DontBetOnIt.org. Hosted by CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellog, the site warns student-athletes, parents, coaches and administrators about the dangers of gambling.
"What you learn might just save your reputation, your eligibility and your athletics career," Kellog tells student-athletes in a video presentation on the site.
The NCAA also sends out 15,000 sports wagering posters to member institutions and urges them to post the warnings in locker rooms, libraries and dormitories, says NCAA spokeswoman Stacy Osburn.
The effectiveness of the NCAA's zero-tolerance stance toward gambling will be tested in a national survey to be conducted this year and released in 2008.
The results of the last study of 21,000 male and female student-athletes released in 2004 were "so startling and disturbing" to NCAA president Myles Brand that he launched a national task force to counteract sports wagering among students.
Among the findings:
•35% of the male student-athletes and 10% of the females admitted to betting on sports over the previous year.
•In Division I alone, 0.5% of basketball players and 1.1% of football players admitted taking money to play poorly in a game.
•1.2% of Division I basketball players and 2.8% of football players admitted providing inside information
•2.1% of Division I basketball players and 2.3% of football players said they had been asked to affect the outcome of a game due to gambling debt.
During the FBI briefs, the NCAA also reminds student-athletes about the harsh penalties for gambling. Anyone caught betting on his institution permanently loses all eligibility. Any caught betting at Las Vegas casinos or with bookies lose eligibility for a year.
The NCAA is also working with the National High School Federation to expand its "Don't Bet On It" outreach effort to high school students, who can arrive on campus with gambling addictions.
By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY
The last thing the NCAA needs on the road to the Final Four is even a whiff of the point-shaving scandals that have periodically rocked college basketball: at Arizona State and Northwestern in 1997-1998; Tulane in 1985; Boston College in 1981; St. Joseph's in 1961 and City College of New York in 1951.
That's why, for the second year in a row, the NCAA asked FBI agents to warn players, coaches and trainers from all 32 teams in the regional round on the ways gamblers try to use them to try to beat the point spread, says Rachel Newman Baker, director of agents, gambling and amateurism activity.
Previously, the FBI only briefed teams that reached the Final Four.
During last year's round of 16, for example, a male basketball player she refuses to name received a suspicious text-mail message asking for "inside information." The case was turned over to the FBI.
"We want to insure we keep the games clean," says Newman Baker.
The NCAA also has an interactive website, DontBetOnIt.org. Hosted by CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellog, the site warns student-athletes, parents, coaches and administrators about the dangers of gambling.
"What you learn might just save your reputation, your eligibility and your athletics career," Kellog tells student-athletes in a video presentation on the site.
The NCAA also sends out 15,000 sports wagering posters to member institutions and urges them to post the warnings in locker rooms, libraries and dormitories, says NCAA spokeswoman Stacy Osburn.
The effectiveness of the NCAA's zero-tolerance stance toward gambling will be tested in a national survey to be conducted this year and released in 2008.
The results of the last study of 21,000 male and female student-athletes released in 2004 were "so startling and disturbing" to NCAA president Myles Brand that he launched a national task force to counteract sports wagering among students.
Among the findings:
•35% of the male student-athletes and 10% of the females admitted to betting on sports over the previous year.
•In Division I alone, 0.5% of basketball players and 1.1% of football players admitted taking money to play poorly in a game.
•1.2% of Division I basketball players and 2.8% of football players admitted providing inside information
•2.1% of Division I basketball players and 2.3% of football players said they had been asked to affect the outcome of a game due to gambling debt.
During the FBI briefs, the NCAA also reminds student-athletes about the harsh penalties for gambling. Anyone caught betting on his institution permanently loses all eligibility. Any caught betting at Las Vegas casinos or with bookies lose eligibility for a year.
The NCAA is also working with the National High School Federation to expand its "Don't Bet On It" outreach effort to high school students, who can arrive on campus with gambling addictions.
0