Edited 4/5/14: A more detailed story (w/50+ comments) is in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.
"I want to emphasize unequivocally that the student-athlete involved in this matter did nothing wrong. Not one thing. I take full responsibility for my actions.”
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It looks like Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle is going to take the fall for an athlete's academic issue. Bauerle has been suspended indefinitely while the university and the NCAA look into the matter. Read more here and here.
The NCAA alleges that Bauerle made “special arrangements” on Dec. 10, 2013, with an unnamed professor to add men’s swimmer Chase Kalisz to a course for the fall 2013 semester. Classes for the semester had already ended and UGA already entered finals at the time.
He received a passing grade despite “not completing any work for the class,” according to the NCAA letter to UGA president Jere Morehead.
“Allegations of this nature are extremely disappointing and we will continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA staff on this matter,” athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement. “Until this matter has concluded, head swimming and diving coach Jack Bauerle will be suspended from all job-related responsibilities effective immediately.”
Said Bauerle in a statement: “I regret that I have placed the University of Georgia, an institution I dearly love and have given my heart and soul to for 44 years, in this situation. While I do not agree with the charges in the way the NCAA has framed them, I made a mistake.”
To say things don't look good for Jack is an understatement. He admits he made a mistake, so maybe they'll find some middle ground on how big of a mistake it actually was.
What does it mean for Kalisz? It brings up some interesting "What if?" questions.
What if UGA and/or the NCAA decide that Kalisz was ineligible for spring semester meets? Would his 400 IM American Record still stand? It was a legal swim as far as USA Swimming is concerned, right?
I witnessed Chase's swim at NCAA and appreciated the record 400 IM.....BUT.....if in fact Chase is the "student" involved (and he likely is) he should not have even been in the meet. Cheating has to be punished. All 3 parties should be gone....the coach fired, the student ineligible for at least 1 full year (ideally he is kicked out of school), and the professor fired or looses tenure at least. There is no way the "student" didn't know what was going on here. You have to wonder how many times in the past this has happpened; I'm willing to be it isn't the 1st time.
ReplyDeletesounds like jack is taking the blame so the kid can continue.
ReplyDeleteWhoa whoa, let's not be quick to pass judgement. Let the facts come out before we do that. Besides if the coach and the professor said it was okay, what's going to stop a young kid from accepting that? Let the facts come out before we place blame
ReplyDelete"Whoa whoa, let's not be quick to pass judgement. Let the facts come out before we do that. Besides if the coach and the professor said it was okay, what's going to stop a young kid from accepting that? Let the facts come out before we place blame" - you have to be kidding me...registering a kid for a class essentially after the semester is over is ok. That is the fact Jack and Chase should both be gone. Button has posted more on this - it is clear Chase is the student involved and what facts are you waiting for - Jack admits he did this. Fire Jack, disallow all swims Chase was a part of at NCAA, and discipline Chase some too - probably something like no NCAA next year or something like that.
ReplyDeleteI'd still like to know why Eric Hansen left Arizona. UGA situation huge blemish and is unlikely a unique or rare event in any sport at any college. If you're gonna cheat, you're gonna get caught. Eventually. Sad for Jack and all involved.
ReplyDeleteAND WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ANONYMOUSES?????
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is a big shocker for the swimming community, but this is commonplace in other sports. The big difference is that other athletes are enrolled in the classes all year before they pass without attending them. Shame on Bauerle for blatantly exposing the truth behind the "education" of many of the NCAAs elite athletes.
ReplyDeleteChase is the one who is really losing here like many other "student"-athletes, since it is HIS education he is exchanging for his talent and commitment.
Let's be honest though. Chase is probably one with enough talent/skill/drive who WILL go pro in something other than what an interdisciplinary studies major could provide.
I wonder what course it was. If it was a true academic course then that is really unfortunate, but if it's yoga or introduction to swimming that could be a little more understandable and in my opinion forgivable considering it's only a participation requirement.