Overview of NOA & Miami's Response

     On Tuesday February 19th, 2013 The University of Miami received its long waited and anticipated Notice of Allegations from Mark Emmert and the NCAA.  That same day, coincidentally during the Miami basketball game, President of UM Donna Shalala and the University released a statement regarding the NOA. The statement is what some people would call "going on the offense" since it was going against the statements made by the NCAA. I personally thought it was a outstanding worded letter, that was spot on with what was needed to be said and I'm sure it was exactly what Hurricane fans wanted to hear.

I quote from the statement directly from the official University of Miami website

• "Many of the charges brought forth are based on the word of a man who made a fortune by lying. The NCAA enforcement staff acknowledged to the University that if Nevin Shapiro, a convicted con man, said something more than once, it considered the allegation “corroborated”—an argument which is both ludicrous and counter to legal practice."

The NCAA is basically saying, if Nevin Shapiro a convicted felon who ran a $930 million dollar ponzi scheme by lying to a  very large amount of people tells us something more than one time, we are going to believe him. That is absolutely ridiculous and even embarrassing on the NCAA's part, I think they are lacking some common sense. A man who lied his way to prison only has to tell you something twice and you will believe him. *Shakes Head*

• " The fabricated story played well—the facts did not. "

This is in reference to the NCAA investigators not being able to find any evidence of prostitution, expensive care for players, player bounty payments or the alleged thousands of dollars in cash and gifts given to student athletes as reported in the media. Not saying that any of this did or did not happen, but in order to punish somebody you need hard evidence and not just a media report.

• "The NCAA enforcement staff failed, even after repeated requests, to interview many essential witnesses of great integrity who could have provided first-hand testimony"

During the time that Nevin Shapiro was a booster at the University of Miami, the Athletic Director was Paul Dee. During the investigation, there was multiple requests to interview the former AD about the accusations being made about the illegal activity during his time at UM. But the NCAA investigators failed to honor that request, and did not interview Paul Dee who has since passed away on May 12th, 2012. How could you not interview the man who was in charge of all athletics of the University you're investigating? 

•  "for any rule violation—substantiated and proven with facts—that the University, its employees, or student-athletes committed, we have been and should be held accountable. We have worked hard to improve our compliance oversight, and we have already self-imposed harsh sanctions."

This is spot on. The president states that she has taken responsibility in the mistakes her program has made, and has self imposed punishments necessary to satisfy those ruling over the athletics program. Which it should fully satisfy, 2 year bowl ban, taking ourselves out of the ACC championship game and withheld student athletes from competition.  


          The "war" is on. Shalala has clearly stated that we have suffered enough and anything more than a slap on the wrist from the NCAA will not be accepted. I do expect The University of Miami to take the NCAA to court, anymore punishment would just be unfair, especially with the lack of control on the NCAA's part. They put $4,000 dollars in Shapiro's bank account, they used a burner phone to communicate with him in prison and illegally obtained information in the investigation. It's time to go against "the man", the gloves are off, it is time to fight against the NCAA who has been holding us hostage for years. No matter what I will always #StandWithTheU. It's important for the fan base to support the program in the uprising, after all of this I know the #CanesFam will stand stronger then ever. Most importantly, Go Canes!!! #BeatNCAA 

Full statement from Donna Shalala can be seen here: http://www.miami.edu/index.php/news/releases/statement_from_president_donna_e_shalala-2/