USC Recruiting Violations... You Don't Say!

[Irish Envy]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- The University of Southern California is looking into whether its football program violated any NCAA rules by taking recruits to a restaurant owned by a former Trojans player.

Coach Pete Carroll acknowledges that USC's athletic department had given information to the school's compliance department about the frequent visits. He would not comment further during a Rose Bowl news conference.

The top-ranked Trojans play Texas for the national championship on Wednesday.

John Papadakis, a USC linebacker from 1970-71, owns the Greek restaurant in San Pedro, Calif. He told The Star-Telegram of Fort Worth that he gives recruits a speech about the Trojans' cardinal and gold colors and closes the meal by urging them to declare, "I want to be a Trojan."

As a former player, Papadakis, is prohibited from speaking to recruits about the Trojans.

USC sports information director Tim Tessalone said the compliance department was made aware earlier in the week of the possible violations after the Star-Telegram questioned whether recruiting rules were broken.

Source: ESPN.com

 

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NCAA looking into USC recruiting violation
Dec. 31, 2005
By Dennis Dodd CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
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LOS ANGELES -- USC may have committed NCAA violations by allowing a well-known area restaurateur to give what could be construed as recruiting pitches to prospects, CBS SportsLine.com has learned.
John Papadakis, a former USC linebacker, routinely hosts recruiting dinners at his Greek restaurant in nearby San Pedro, Calif. The flamboyant Papadakis and his staff entertain recruits, coaches and other patrons during the dinners.
What might be against NCAA rules is if Papadakis urged recruits to attend USC during the course of the evening.
"I'd have a huge problem with that," said one veteran Division I compliance director.
The USC compliance office was alerted on Tuesday after the Fort Worth Star-Telegram questioned whether infractions had been committed. There was no official comment from the school. Spokesman Tim Tessalone said the school will be closed through Wednesday's Rose Bowl. No NCAA source could be contacted for comment. The NCAA offices are closed through Thursday.
"This is one of those issues that we have to address and deal with," USC coach Pete Carroll said Saturday. "It's something that kind of comes in normal fashion. We have a whole procedure to handle it the right way."
This week in a story on the Papadakis' influence on USC recruiting, SportsLine.com quoted a friend who has witnessed the recruiting dinners at Papadakis Taverna.
"He's (Papadakis) a great speechmaker," said Steve Morton of Rancho Mirage, Calif., who was interviewed in the restaurant earlier this month. "By the end of the evening, he gets these kids to stand up and say, 'I want to be a Trojan.'"
"John gets emotional because he's passionate about Pete," USC recruiting coordinator Lane Kiffin told SportsLine.com earlier this month. "He's representing our Trojan family and is so happy.
"John is talking to everybody, all the time," Carroll said. "That's the way he handles his business. He's got a marvelous spirit."
However, Papadakis' conduct might violate the NCAA's bylaws defining "permissible recruiters."
According to bylaw 13.1.2.3, "In all sports only those coaches permitted to recruit off campus ... may contact prospects off campus."
"A booster, alumni or player having any contact with a prospective student-athlete is against the rules," the compliance director said. "The only people that are allowed to recruit, especially in football, are the ones that have passed the (NCAA) recruiting exam."
Papadakis, 54, a community activist who is regularly seen on the USC sideline, could not comment.
"I can't comment on it," Papadakis said, "if you'd like I can refer you to USC."
The recruiting dinners are well-documented, well known and have been going on for years. A typical night for Taverna diners includes a belly dancer, an 80-something violinist taking requests and staff members doing traditional Greek dances.
"It's an experience that no one else has," said USC defensive end Frostee Rucker. "It's really good to go out to his restaurant. He's very loving. He just lets you know how the whole (Trojan) family is here.
"We are in L.A., we have access to a lot of different things that a lot of people don't have. It's working out for us. We keep getting those five-star athletes."
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[Guest]

sounds like SC will only get a slap on the wrist punishment. They also had problems because Leinart did an ESPN commercial promo. Petey also mentioned a potential recruits name a few years ago.

They really don't care about these minor infractions because it usually leads to bigger dividends. The rich keep on getting richer......

 

[TheRocket]

se it usually leads to bigger dividends. The rich keep on getting richer......

Exactly. This is what folks refer to as "the cost of doing business."

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

I'm just guessing here, but I bet lots of major programs violate the NCAA regulations in one way or anothe, but most are probably not uncovered. And I wouldn't be surprised if SC was taking advantage and breaking rules to win. I just get that feeling from Pete.