National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2001
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Opinions
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Carol Slezak, sportswriter
Chicago Sun-Times
"You have to hand it to the Nevada Gaming Commission. What an acute sense of irony. I mean, what better time than Super Bowl week to lift its ban against betting on college games involving Nevada schools?
"Maybe it's mere coincidence. Or maybe the commission knew (the media's) attention would be focused elsewhere this week. After all, Super Bowl Sunday turns even confirmed nongamblers into betting fools.
"Every year, Vegas casinos and bookies take in megamillions (legally and illegally, respectively) in Super Bowl wagers. And let's not forget cyberspace betting, the legality of which still is open to debate. It's no wonder recovering compulsive gamblers fear the Super Bowl the way dieters fear the Food Channel.
"With all these Super bets being placed -- Who will win the coin toss? Which quarterback will throw more interceptions? How many fumbles will there be? -- we hardly can be bothered with something as minor as NCAA betting. Check back when March Madness begins. ...
"Funny how the commission's action came so soon after the NCAA made its anti-gambling crusade a priority. Amazing how it comes only months after Sen. John McCain introduced federal legislation designed to ban all gambling on college sports. Interesting how it comes after big names such as Dean Smith and Joe Paterno have joined the NCAA's crusade. Why didn't the commission just slap the NCAA in the face? It would have been quicker."
Confederate battle flag
Bobby Braswell, head men's basketball coach
California State University, Northridge
The Daily News of Los Angeles
"We happen to be in a sport where the majority of the players happen to be of African-American descent, as are a lot of the coaches and people in the business. We need to send a message. If someone has a love for that particular emblem, let them put it up in their own home.
"In this country, we have a way of expressing ways to make change. It's a capitalist system and money talks. If we pull money out of there, it might help send a message.
"As an African-American man and a coach in this sport, I know we happen to be on a stage and have a platform in which not a lot of people have. It's a big-time business. The networks pay a lot of money. The athletes put in a lot of time and the coaches represent them. When something's offensive to them, it legitimizes it and I think people have to respect that."
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