SMU Golf Hit Hard with NCAA Violations

[Hardspoon]

The only problem with this is that then you've really given the death sentence to the program. You will have literally killed it, because nobody is going to join a team that can't play in the playoffs later unless it's absolutely their only option to play college golf. Their team will essentially become Divison II quality at that point if you do that, just because they made a couple phone calls and emails that they shouldn't have, in addition to giving out maybe some college hoodies or school store discounts?

Fair enough.

Part of the problem, as you allude to, is that the penalty itself (playoff ban) is simply too harsh when related to the crime.  And I agree with that.

But the basic conflict remains - how do you punish a "program" in a way that discourages bad behavior, without hurting innocent victims (the students) who depend on that program for their livelihood?

Perhaps the answer is to bring harsher criminal charges against individuals, without levying any punishment against the school itself?  The NCAA probably has enough political influence to have laws passed (or interpreted) that would make this work...

[mvmac]

As expected, DeChambeau is leaving SMU.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/dechambeau-postpone-senior-year-focus-masters/?cid=twitter-gc-a-dechambeau-postpone-senior-year-focus-masters-101315

DeChambeau, who became only the fifth player to win the NCAAs and U.S. Amateur in the same year, is exempt into the first three majors of 2016 by virtue of his U.S. Am title. If he were to turn pro before the Masters, he would forfeit those exemptions.   

The expectation is that DeChambeau, 22, will turn pro after the Masters. He said that he intends to complete his degree at a future date. 

“SMU, my coaches and the athletic department have been incredibly supportive of my decision and I owe them a great debt of gratitude for all of their support,” he said.