Dez Bryant's use of indoor facility was an NCAA violation
BY RYAN SHARP, Asst. Sports Editor, rsharp@opubco.com
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Published: November 7, 2009
There was more to the NCAA's issues with Dez Bryant than the Oklahoma State receiver's lies about meeting with Deion Sanders.
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According to documents obtained by The Oklahoman through an open records request, the NCAA found that Bryant violated bylaws for preferential treatment because of his visit to Fieldhouse USA in Frisco, Texas, without paying for his time at the facility.
The NCAA found that Bryant violated bylaw 12.1.2.1.6, which deals with preferential treatment, benefits or services. Athletes who violate that bylaw are required to repay the value of the benefit to a charity of their choice.
In a rules "interpretation request" sent by OSU to the NCAA, the school said use of the indoor turf by any member of the public would cost $140 per hour. The school also said Sanders and Bryant said they "jogged around" on the turf during their one-hour visit to the facility, that there was no football equipment used and that they were the only ones on the turf during that time.
After the NCAA ruled the free use of the facility a violation — a secondary infraction — OSU sent another letter to the NCAA arguing Bryant should only be responsible for half of the $140 and that Sanders should be responsible for the other half. The school also said Bryant would repay the $70 to a charity of his choice — an NCAA-required action.
According to OSU spokesman Gary Shutt, the NCAA accepted the argument that Bryant should only have to pay $70. It's unclear if Bryant has paid.
Bryant was originally suspended indefinitely by OSU on Oct. 7 for lying to NCAA officials. The NCAA upheld that suspension and extended it to one year on Oct. 27, which OSU appealed. The NCAA denied that appeal on Thursday.
According to the documents obtained Friday, Sanders' relationship with Fieldhouse USA stemmed from Sanders' desire to hold his "Prime U" camp at the facility. An official at the facility said Sanders had agreed to hold a pre-NFL Combine training program at Fieldhouse USA that would be run by former NFL players Omar Stoutmire and Kevin Mathis.
Because of Sanders' relationship with the facility, he and Bryant were allowed to visit the facility without going through any check-in process where they would have been asked to pay.
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That Cameron U education for you.
Perhaps it's the fact that there are several people that share my views on you idiot Swooner fans that seem to come out like roaches when it's safe, then hide when it's time to take your medicine.
The fact is, if anyone comments with an intelligent use of the English language (words that Barry needs to look up in the dictionary), guys (I'm assuming he's a guy) like Barry get upset.
How's that Swooner season working out for you, Barry? Exchanging your ou t-shirts for CSU, yet?
You'll probably not get much for 'em.
The Dez Bryant penalty is a sham. What he did was dust in the wind compared to Reggie Bush of whom the NCAA didn't even investigate. As the poster below said, see ya in the NFL Dez - flip of the chin to the NCAA.
What? The stands have been full several times. A few games have had a few holes. 1 or 2 games have been embarrassing, like Iowa State last year. A lot of the unsold tickets are not in the stands.
WHAT! HE WALKED AROUND A TRACK! 140 DOLLARS! Suspend him for the year!
What a joke.
Also, why does the OU men's gymnastic team have more national championships than the football team? Hummm,,, interesting...
How about you guys concentrate on OU? Little bit obsessive.
Bryant got scape goated. Did he lie? Of course. But the punishment does not fit the crime. I bet they found out what they ate and came up with a cost for that. But it happens alot. Look at Alabama. Six game suspension (for lying). Pay back the cost of the fishing trip.
All of the Idiotic put downs are ridiculous. OSU is building a new tradition in football and it's coming along nicely. It's only a matter of time before they can compete for championships and that time is coming sooner rather than later.
As for this year, you OU idiots really need to focus on your own team because it very may be the year OSU wins in Norman.
The NCAA assumed that something more happend and can't prove it (or they would have announced it so that they don't look so lame in this suspension vs reported violation). They are punishing Dez on what they assumed. Now you want a story, go dig into that !
I think the DOK should run that as an article and challenge the NCAA.
One is being viewed as misleading the NCAA and being unethical and the other is viewed as ok you said so and we believe you and we will move on. The NCAA would rather go after Student Athelete that was given pencil and paper for free to do his home work.
Everybody [/quote] whether they are gifted athletes or not [/endquote] get treated the same way by the NCAA.
We might add get treated the same way "by the DOK".
How about it Editors? Try being truthful instead of buying into the NCAA's PR machine.
Someone please explain the Reggie Bush USC scandal if the above statement is true. I welcome OU fans to give me an answer to this situation. I am waiting. Thanks.
regarding Reggie Bush and USC.