Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Aww the media. Arent they just sweet? Stuck in their predisposed views of whatever situation is going on, they leap at the chance to be part of the 24-7 news cycle and have quick opinions that are to (quote George Will) “as uninformed as they are confident.” Today it looks as if the media has done it again, this time in the world of sports. Memphis has given their report to the NCAA about the organization’s allegations on Derrick Rose and it can best be summed up with this paragraph:
The University does not have sufficient information to conclude that (redacted) engaged in unethical conduct in regard to a (redacted) taking of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Specifically, the University has no knowledge that (redacted) did not complete the SAT entrance examination. Accordingly, the University does not know whether the information included in the allegation is substantially correct and is unable to conclude whether a violation of the cited NCAA regulations has occurred.
Memphis is not confident enough to say that Derrick Rose DID NOT cheat on the SAT….in fact, they arent confident enough to say either way. However Memphis does believe that it isnt conclusive that it happened and they also have proof that no one knew about the cheating, not the NCAA, the SAT board or Memphis, until May, 2008.
So what does this all mean? Well it means that once again, the sports media jumped the gun in convicting Calipari and Memphis as a whole. It is easy to see why. The whispers have existed for years that Calipari is a dirty coach and many writers, heck most writers I talk to, all privately believe it. Thus many have been waiting like pirahnas to catch Calipari and have one slip up that they can pounce on and give their “A HA! WE KNEW IT!” moment. When the Memphis news broke, Pat Forde was on ESPN within hours suggesting that it was an indictment of Calipari and Kentucky. Gary Parrish (pictured above) slammed him on CBS. Mark Story slammed him in the Lexington Herald. Skip Bayless called for a suspension on ESPN. The common demoninator in all columns? They didnt have all of the facts. On ESPN, the website even claimed “major violations” for Memphis basketball, when that term was actually used by the NCAA for women’s golf. All in all, the media jumped the gun…pronouncing Calipari guilty of crimes that they had long suspected, but never proved.
In that way, it reminds me of the Michael Irvin sexual assault issue many years ago. There Irvin was charged with sexual assault and drug issues by a woman in Dallas and all the media went with the story and pounced on him as an “out of control” player. They did it primarily because they believed those stories about him, long before the actual charge. Irvin was convicted in the media and all assumed his guilt. But then something happened that no one planned on. The accuser admitted the story was falsified and the police dropped the investigation. The media was then left having convicted someone publically of a crime they didnt commit. The lasting image of that scenario was Irvin ranting at media members and saying, “will you report my innocence with the SAME PASSION of my guilt?” The answer was of course no, but Irvin’s point was made.
Now guys like Mike DeCourcy, Eric Crawford and John Clay have all said that this was not the “smoking gun” that people have looked for on Calipari. It is clear that while this whole ordeal hasnt proven Calipari innocent of all rumors, it also wasnt proof of his guilt as the early commentators suggested. Will they recant? Will they now admit they jumped the gun? My guess is that we shouldnt count on it. Old habits die hard.
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
30 queries. 0.473 seconds
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
SUCK IT Forde!
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Here’s the whole report
http://media.commercialappeal.com/mca/content/static/20090602122205.pd f
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Calipari is a victim of his own charisma and success. The masses love to tear down those on top. When your petty it is easy to assume “no one can be THAT successful” …..
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
guilty until proven innocent in the media. What a bunch of vultures.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
My father taught me when you make a mistake it is a man’s place to admit it and apologize. My question is if these a-holes that have bashed our coach are proved to be wrong will they be men and apologize? What say you Mr. Forde?
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
As is usually the case, those with an agenda are the quickest on the draw, only to find that the weapon they wield, seemingly full of force, has nothing but blanks to fire.
Let’s find their FaceySpacey’s and Blog pages and remind them not to muck with the BBN!
I’m going URL shopping.
Anyone interested?
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Finally someone takes up for Michael Irvin!
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
6) I’m with you…
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
What are the chances of Pat Forde admitting he jumped the gun? People like Forde don’t have the moral fiber to do it…him and his ilk are in the cushy position of being able to slander a person(John Calipari), and groups of persons (all Kentucky fans)with absolutely no accountability. I have ZERO respect for that.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
its complete BS. they jump all over Cal for allegations before all the facts but with Pitino, they tip-toe around the allegations and wait patiently for all the facts. again, complete BS. and no one will apologize. media people suck.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Of course they will not recant. I can see the headlines now, after the NCAA clears Memphis. “Teflon John Slips Another Punch”. I have finally diciplined myself not to even look at a article that Forde,Tipton, Goodman and the like write. With a little cleverly placed wording, these fools are permitted to acuse just about anyone, of just about anything and get by with it. That’s o.k. Redemption will begin in November, although the more we win, the more these asswipes will banter, but we’ll just keep right on collecting the best players in the land(and China,,he,he)and keep on hanging them banners.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
They’re latching on to statements made by the Illinois AD like a dog with a bone.
http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_basketball/1601888,060109-rose-all egations.article
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Pat Forde’s
email: ESPN4D@aol.com
http://search.espn.go.com/pat-forde/blog-entries/10
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Confucius and sports media say … once you jump gun, keep running.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Forde’s Blog
http://search.espn.go.com/pat-forde/blog-entries/10
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Anyone see that Jay Marrioti article today… I bet he doesn’t come out and say anything like, “I was wrong”.. that ain’t going to happen… he will probably say something like “oh he’s still dirty” on ‘Around the Horn’ tonight.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I hear Forde’s pencil has a penis shaped eraser. Does that make him a pencil dick?
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
LOL 13….
It would be nice to hear some retractions. I’m not sure that many of those “journalists” can man-up, though.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Intersting read. A whole lot of facts in here that don’t seem to have been in the news stories yet.
Appearantly, Rose was first accused of cheating on the ACT. When Memphis interviewed the person who allegedly accused him (a teacher at his school), the teacher claimed they never made any such accusation. Rose was also accused of having had a grade changed in HS. Memphis investigated and found that 1) the grade was changed, 2) there was no evidence that Rose knew about it, and 3) it wouldn’t have effected his eligibility anyway.
Then, appearntly Rose was accused of cheating on the SAT, but Memphis was never informed of this. Rose got two letter from the Educational Testing Service to respond to the charges, but never responded and never informed Memphis of the letters. (It is not entirely clear if he ever even saw the letters.) After not responding, the NCAA invalidated his score.
It appears that the NCAA’s allegations are based on a handwriting expert who said that Rose “probably” did not write the handwritten declaration on the test form.
Memphis doesn’t say that he didnt cheat, they only say that they have no reason to think he did, and were denied access to any of the testing materials by the testing agency. (Therefore, I guess they couldn’t do their own handwriting analysis.) They also say that they should not be punished because they were not even aware of the allegations until after the season, and therefore couldn’t have taken any appropriate action even if something had been true.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
7. Beisner…lol
You have to admit: “will you report my innocence with the SAME PASSION of my guilt?”<<== is a great question. I would like to see Cal as a Gladiator(UK head coach) in the Coloseum(Rupp Arena) yelling those words to Forde and Story and their ilk right before Caesar(Lee Todd) gives the thumbs down sign to all these lazy, openly biased hacks(Forde, etc.)
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Lets not forget that sports in general is an ENTERTAINMENT industry. Its only natural that the narrative is driven by sensational story lines. When you sit down in the evening and flip to an episode of ET… what do you get? I don’t seriously watch ET (unless you do).
That’s why its funny that “blogs” need to be distinguished from “news” outlets when it comes to sports reporting… I mean, lets get real folks. It IS entartainment after all. We watch sports to escape. We don’t watch it because it really means anything… or, at least, it doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme. Cal will, and should, let this roll off his back because he didnt do anything wrong. All of the haters just get added to the Pay No Mind List.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Matt, You’re spot-on. This was always much ado about nothing. But it presented an AHA! moment for the mainstream press to latch onto as we were all basking in the glow of the hiring of Coach Calipari and his signing of one colossal recruiting class.
Seems all the haters out there want Coach Cal to be our Calvin Sampson. He’s NOT folks so get over it. We’re ready to go in October and beyond.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
The human condition dictates one of three scenarios:
1) If you already believe someone is guilty, no matter what is proven, dis-proven, written or said, that person will still believe in guilt.
2) If you already believe someone is innocent, no matter what is proven, dis-proven, written or said, that person will believe in innocence.
3) If you are unsure, you wait until all the evidence is in..it this case you are one of the few the rational ones…
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Did anyone notice section 8-2 (page 39) where they question Memphis about William (Worlwide)Wesley having passes for seating at a Sweet 16 game ? One staff member recalled another making a request by RC Johnson for passes for Wesley. Johnson & the other staff memberr did not remember the event.
This will be the next article by Forde once he gets hold of it…
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Matt the Bible calls this rejoicing in iniquity. In other words taking satisfaction in someone elses downfall. Great column.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
This is JUMPING THE SHARK just as much as it is jumping the gun, especially for Pat Ford.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
14 > Marroiti is a proponent of the “Ready, shoot, aim” philosophy..he’s just trying to get past the first round on Around The Horn..
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Forde is trying to scratch at every single thread of hope that Calipari will fall. He just posted on twitter a Rick Bozich post about the AD of Illinois syaing they knw along about Rose. Then why did they continue to recruit him until he finally picked Memphis?
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
25, Mariotti isn’t even a “journalist” anymore. He’s a blogger for AOL.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Rumor has it Tipton was so distraught he took a mental health day, even missed his AA meeting.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
This is the letter I wrote to Pat Forde last week. And below that is his response.
Mr Forde,
Can you please explain to me how it is ethical to report and publish innuendo and rumors about Kentucky’s coach John Calipari and not report on the rumors and innuendo surrounding Coach Pitino and Karen Sypher? I have read multiple articles of yours about Calipari, and while you acknowledge that the allegations of cheating are indeed rumors, you still continue to report them. I am perfectly fine with that, as it is your job as a journalist to report and it is my job as a reader to decide whether or not I believe it. However, don’t you think as a reader I am entitled to hear the rumors in the Pitino case as well, and decide whether or not I believe them?
If you want to be the type of writer who smears men based on unsubstantiated rumors, by all means continue to do so. But maybe you should think about extending this courtesy to the other big-name coach in this state, even if he is your co-author and friend.
Thank you,
>>> 5/29/2009 5:23 PM >>>
Thanks for writing. I wrote a 1,500-word story on Karen Sypher last month that went as far as?ESPN’s lawyers deemed responsible. Perhaps you missed it. As for Calipari: which innuendo and rumors are you referring to there?
Pat Forde
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I have to agree with Ozzie Guillen when it comes to Mariotti he’s a fag!
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
wow, THAT’s gary parrish? hahahahahaha
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Marriotti is nothing more than the Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart of the sporting world. A bag of wind that the Obama administration needs to nationalize so as to power all of DC for free.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Read this and prepare to hate Jay Mariotti from ESPN’s Around the Horn:
http://jay-mariotti.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/rose-scam-leaves-stench-in -all-directions/
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Credibility \ (or Credible- offering reasonable grounds for being believed)
Pat Forde + Credibility = UNBELIEVABLE (and unavailable for comment, I would guess?)
I would say with “reasonable” certainty there is a CREDIBILITY GAP between FORDE (and other “red lighted dragster” media pundits and the fair-minded general public (specifically UK & Calipari supporters. Of course, without ALL the facts in before RUSH-TO-JUDGMENTS are in, if you don’t have a dog in this fight, it’s questionable at best if you’ll ever be presented with the Truth.
Hey, Matt, a quick question that deserves (?) a quick answer (maybe more so, an honest one). Just how important is credibility to the media and within the media???
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I don’t think it’s all that simple. In some respects the report seems to raise more questions than it answeres. We learn that Memphis was first notified of questions about Rose’s test scores BEFORE the start of basketball season. Then they investigated and didn’t find anything. Yet, AFTER the season, his test scores were invalidated. Evidently, the testing agencies conducted their own investigation and found there was sufficient evidence against the guy. The question that raises is whether Memphis conducted a thorough and honest enough investigation, or whether they did the minimum they had to do to get through the season. Expect more questions about this from the media.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I don’t think it’s all that simple. In some respects the report seems to raise more questions than it answeres. We learn that Memphis was first notified of questions about Rose’s test scores BEFORE the start of basketball season. Then they investigated and didn’t find anything. Yet, AFTER the season, his test scores were invalidated. Evidently, the testing agencies conducted their own investigation and found there was sufficient evidence against the guy. The question that raises is whether Memphis conducted a thorough and honest enough investigation, or whether they did the minimum they had to do to get through the season. Expect more questions about this from the media.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
29) Forde’s “article” he was referring to…
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4092376
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
28) LMFAO
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
37) Oh I have read the “article” and I told him I thought it was complete fluff.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Don’t expect an “Oops, my bad” from these people, won’t happen. Plus ESPN will ignore the story.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Got this link from John Clay’s site. Touches on your point MJ. Great article and worth the time to read.
http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2009/06/01/sports/doc4a247db4 b68b7714378317.txt
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
41) I read that article this morning. It was a great article! All should read.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
20–read Bozich’s post (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/bozich/2009/06/illinois-ad-says- illini-knew-story-with.html). In it he quotes the U of I AD and then throws in a comparison to Sampson.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Memphis, it appears, did not have the access to the written portion of the SAT in order to contract with a handwriting analyst to determine the author of that portion of the test. Also, the allegation was regarding the ACT, not the SAT. The notice regarding the SAT occurred near the end of the basketball season.
Believe it or not, I know a bit about handwriting analysis. It is much like fingerprint analysis, and doesn’t focus on any one particular characteristic, but an overall comparison based on the particular characteristics demonstrated by the unknown writer (the test) as compared with known exemplars (such as material known to have been written by Rose). There are 7 types of conclusions, ranging from and Identification (he wrote it) to an Exclusion (he didn’t write it). In the middle is Indeterminable. So to say that he “probably did not” author the material is like saying there are more characteristics that don’t match with Rose than do. But in offering that opinion, and that is what it is, an expert opinion, you have to also admit that there are some characteristics that are consistent with Rose’s style of writing.
Without wearing out my welcome, I would summarize like this:
Memphis could not have done any more regarding substantiating Rose’s academic eligibility than dispelling the rumor that a teacher had knowledge that Rose cheated, asking Rose if he cheated, and determining that Rose had no role in and gained no benefit from the grade change at his high school.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
28) Yes. He shared a room with Susan Boyle…
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
The thing that sucks is that there is no accountability. They spot off and then when they are wrong that just move to the next thing.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
#36, Memphis was not aware of allegations regarding the SAT until AFTER the season. They were aware of allegations regarding the ACT, investigated them, and found nothing. To confirm their investigation, the NCAA has not alleged anything regarding the ACT now.
At most, Rose knew of the SAT allegations during the NCAA tournament via a letter from the educational testing agency (though he wasn’t home to recieve the letter.) He also did not tell Memphis about the letter. So, Memphis knew nothing of the SAT allegations until AFTER the season was over.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
49. You might be right. The report did mention the SAT before the season though, and if they knew that’s what his eligibility was based on, they you’d have to consider them on notice that the whole issue needed to be looked into. I think there will still be questions about this.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
It’s surprising that the NCAA pursues this flimsy a$$ed allegation but lets Duke’s known violation set idle for several years….
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Don’t know if this has been posted, but our favorite writer John Feinstein has weighed in on the situation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/01/AR2009 060101874.html
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
So your saying there’s no way the lady in the Irvin case was paid off?
I’m not saying he was innocent or guilty, but a payoff is plausible, no?
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
52) Just read that article and as usual the BBN is portrayed as a bunch of idiots who only care about winning. Drives me NUTS!! That’s like saying every woman in KY is barefoot and pregnant!
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
This is exactly why “some” call them the “Drive by Media”. They rush in, do their damage and are then onto the next story with no concern with what is left in their wake. The accusation is more important than the facts.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I have a link about EB and his on-line HS courses (qualifying)..not sure how to get it on this response? Is it already old news..??
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
54 > If I had my way..they would be..but they can wear shoes if they want..
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
52, Feinstein was a student at Duke when UK beat their stinking asses for the NC in ‘78. He had his little heart broken and never got over it. When Pitino was hired by UK he appeared on ESPN and was literally near tears that UK didn’t receive the death penality from the Sutton stuff. He was Forde before Forde was Forde.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
EB Story:
http://blog.northstarbball/2009/…e-qualify.aspx
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
OK..I’m a rookie..try this one…
http://blog.northstarbball.com/2009/06/01/will-eric-bledsoe-qualify.as px
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I fur won am pizzed becuz Calipeari hadn’t won no games yet. He been paid all that money and already shuda wons games. I dont care that the season hadnt started. Plus I done stubbed my toe cuz I ain’t got no shoes and married my cuzn sister, or a bear i cant amember. Heah and dis lil magix box and the interwebs is neat, it writes what i am thinkin. And I’s can c whut everybody else is thinkin. Well gots to get back to hatin the blacks and foureigners.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Didn’t Dan Rather just quit rather than face embarrassment for a false report? Mark Story should take a lesson along with Forde. Maybe Cal is a bad guy. Go do your homework before you cry wolf.
Plus, does any of this make him a bad guy? If the SAT and ACT can’t spot the fraud, how would coach? To be free of all issues, you would have to accept the kid and make him sit a year while people debate whether fraud is involved. The coach’s job is to advise the kid to provide the information needed for eligibility and to make sure the clearing house has it and acts on it. He can’t INSURE the accuracy of the kids grades or work. That is for the testing and school authorities to manage. He just needs to make sure there is no fraud known to him.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
One of the A+ sports “journalist” will probably print that as what Kentucky fans are saying on message boards.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I wonder why ESPN has’nt ask Forde his opinion on this yet.
Oh yeah I forgot his to busy trying to link Cal and the University of Kentucky to the 911 bombings.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Is the NCAA sure that all of the student athletes that qualified to play last year actually took the SAT/ACT themselves?
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
#58–Both you and I know UK GOT the death penalty under Sutton. Hell, what else would you call it?!?!
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
UK sit on top of the world with more wins in college basketball than any other school. We hired a coach who has been winning 30 games a year. He is the best recruiter out there right now. Second in National Championships in college basketball history. The greatest fans in the nation who are hated by everyone who isn’t a UK fan. I expected this because every writer in the nation knows Kentucky could become the next dynasty. Dickie V. got it right in his comment to Cal. Everything will be magnafied 10 times at Kentucky. The media and sports channels will cry foul and even our hometown paper will take shots. Get used to it “WE”RE BACK and it is killing them.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Here’s the email I just sent to Forde:
Mr. Forde,
I am sure you have received some reprehensible emails from angered UK fans, and for that, I am embarrassed. However, as it becomes increasingly clear that the Rose/Memphis situation is anything but a clear indictment against Calipari, I am wondering if you have changed your attitude on Calipari and UK. Rose may have cheated in some fashion on his SAT, but the evidence now suggests that Memphis had no knowledge of this allegation until his single season at UM was finished, which makes it quite hard to substantiate all the insinuated malfeasance you’ve hurled at Calipari and UK in your writings and TV appearances. It is clear to me that you–like most in the media–jumped at the first tidbit of rumor about the Rose allegations, without waiting for the smallest bit of hard evidence, because the early rumors confirmed what you already wanted to believe about Calipari and UK. I believe they warn against situations like that in Journalism School.
I am not a conspiracy theorist, and I don’t think you wear UofL underwear as you bash Big Blue. However, I wish that you would seriously ask yourself this question and think about the answer: why would you so quickly hurl accusations and innuendo against Calipari and UK without any evidence, but you wrote what was supposed to be *the* national article on the Pitino/Sypher story without even mentioning what Sypher is accusing Pitino of? Both cases involve claims that are very damaging to a coach’s reputation, but you embraced one story and held the other at arm’s length. Why?
I look forward to corresponding with you on your answer.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm
66, allow me to explain what the death penality is. That’s when the NCAA shuts your program down, no games for a period of time(see SMU football in the ’80s). Then you come back under reduced scholarships for a period. The whole thing is devestating, SMU still hasn’t recovered. Under the death penality UK would have had NO GAMES for maybe a year, probably more. Then returned with maybe 6 scholarships and slowly, veru slowly, build to 13. The entire 1990s would have seen unprecedented losses.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Bravo #68,,Very, Very Well put. I’m sure numbnutts will ignore it, or at best, return a snide response, however.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
[...] At Kentucky Sports Radio, Matt Jones writes that the media jumped the gun on Calipari. [...]
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
[...] Matt Jones: The media jumped the gun.Great piece today by Matt Jones looking at how the Memphis/Calipari imbroglio was reported. [...]