Arkansas recently has reported itself to the NCAA of violations that happened by one of their former track and field coaches, Lance Brauman. Brauman was found guilty earlier this year for mail fraud and embezzlement and is currently in prison serving his sentence. The details of what Brauman did while at Arkansas involved one of their former star sprinters, Tyson Gray. From extra tutoring to giving him rides from the airport, they were all listed in the report to the NCAA.
Arkansas in their press release about the NCAA violations against the university did provide statements from both Athletic Director Frank Broyles and Head Track and Field Coach John McDonnell. The problem in this situation is– Arkansas has a lot at stake in this crisis. They have a chance to lose their multiple NCAA championships, get their scholarships cut, and the amount of damage this could have to their reputation. By reading in between the lines, you can tell that they HAD to self report to the NCAA, or someone else would.
Arkansas does have a target on its back because they have been so dominate in track and field, but it all boils down to a simple point: they hired Brauman, they knew who they got as a coach and his reputation, and it took a court decision against Brauman to make them realize that this situation would impact Arkansas negatively. Instead of being proactive, Arkansas is reacting to this situation right now instead of before.
There is a line from “Liar, Liar” with Jim Carrey in a scene where he is on the phone with one of his clients, and he says “Stop BREAKING the law….!” I believe that many track and field programs need to look at the Arkansas situtation– because they are not the only university that is doing this.
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