By Chloe Dinsdale and Lauren Castle
With Tuesday’s release of harsh NCAA penalties involving the SMU men’s basketball and men’s golf teams, students, journalists and alumni have had a lot to say.
The NCAA suspended Head Coach Larry Brown for 30 percent of the upcoming basketball season’s games, and the team’s postseason is canceled. The team is not eligible to compete in an NCAA tournament.
Here’s what people had to say on social media and around campus:
“I think it’s crap what the NCAA is doing to SMU basketball. If they’re going to bust SMU on something as miniscule as this, they should be busting Kentucky and North Carolina big time,” said senior Dylan Connelly.
@thedailycampus @smu_peruna #joke. Will @NCAA give #UNC major penalties?
— Erik Erichsen (@ErikErichsen) September 29, 2015
I think I speak for a lot of #SMU fans when I say that these findings and penalties don’t make the Larry Brown hire regrettable — Patrick Engel (@PatrickEngel_) September 29, 2015
“Doing schoolwork for a player is wrong but Coach Brown cares about the success of his players, and for much of them the league is their best chance at success,” said senior Jay Miller. “The NCAA really needs to re-evaluate how it handles athletic programs because right now their policies are very unsatisfactory and our institution is not happy about the extremely harsh sanctions placed on our hard working coach and team.”
This is how all SMU Athletic fans are feeling today. Lots of disappointment and anger on SMU’s campus. pic.twitter.com/BY6PSCw6da
— Christina Cox (@_ChristinaCox_) September 29, 2015
Two students reflect on Moody Magic in relation to the upcoming season: “SMU is backed by basketball. Our school has gained new life with the support of our team. I hope this news isn’t detrimental to the success of our season,” said sophomore Joanna Fennessy. Junior Alex Olson adds, “I would’ve liked to see positive news about SMU basketball, not negative. We have had such good momentum with Larry Brown and I hope this news doesn’t affect our season.” Some people are quick to mention that Coach Brown has had previous tangles with the NCAA. “This is strike three for Larry Brown. He has a talent for appearing in headlines about basketball infractions,” said junior Caroline Kushner.
This is the third school at which Larry Brown has been in trouble with the #NCAA. #UCLA and #Kansas, before #SMU. There’s a theme, here… — Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 29, 2015
Kushner said, “I think SMU should appeal. Based on Syracuse’s appeal process length, if SMU appeals, we could play postseason.”
SMU has 15 days to appeal this ruling.
While searching social media platforms, many in SMU community sprung jokes on the issue:
Im sure this is my fault too! #SMU #gomustangs http://t.co/rMaYnieO8R
— Eric Dickerson (@EricDickerson) September 29, 2015
#SMU #basketball #NCAA pic.twitter.com/EMjo5zD31d
— Michael Clark (@MikeClarkIA) September 29, 2015
