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Smu Audit

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Submitted By swingaway15
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Throughout 1980’s, several pieces of evidence were revealed that led the NCAA to believe recruiting sanctions were violated at Southern Methodist University. The substantial evidence relates to an aggressive and illegal recruiting practice that attracted top recruits to attend and play football at SMU. The sequence of evidence abstracted from the University is listed as follows:

• 1980: A victory over Texas after a 14 game losing streak between the two schools sparked significant media attention and brought suspicion on SMU's recruiting practice.
• 1981: A ten win season and a victory over Arkansas earned SMU the Southwest Conference Championship.
• 1981: The departure of Ron Meyer led to national attention that violations were close to being revealed. Bobby Collins was hired as the new head football coach.
• Mid 1980's: Sean Stopperich, a former player, claims SMU Boosters moved his family from Pittsburg to Texas, found his father a job, and paid for certain expenses.
• Mid 1980's: David Stanley, a former player, claims to receiving payments to play football at SMU.
• Mid 1980's: A televised interview revealed handwritten envelopes from SMU’s Athletic Director, Henry Lee Porter, addressed to David Stanley’s home.
• Mid 1980's: Bobby Collins, Henry Lee Porter, and the University’s President resigned from the University due to the allegations of NCAA recruiting violations.

The evidence presented suggests that a predication of NCAA recruiting violations had occurred at Southern Methodist University. As a result, a forensic investigation should be used to evaluate the recruiting practices of SMU’s Athletic Department. However, upon opening the investigation, a hypothesis and initial theory should be developed to address the reasoning behind why these violations had occurred. The evidence suggests that the significant amount of pressure felt by the newly hired head coach, Ron Meyer, led him to partake in volatile practices while recruiting his targeted athletes. Furthermore, the SMU Community and Boosters Program held high expectations for the future of the football program which led to the acceptance of a network of illegal recruiting practices.

Analyzing the proceeding evidence to follow the 1980’s high expectations of improvement can lead one to believe a forensic investigation should be opened to evaluate the recruiting of SMU’s Athletic Department and Booster Club. The focal point of this forensic investigation should include but not be limited to the former head coach, Ron Meyer, the successor, Bobby Collins, the Athletic Director, Henry Lee Porter, the President of SMU, and several of the Booster Club members who allegedly distributed financial incentives to elite recruits during the time period. Since the football program had a long-term losing reputation, the incentive, the opportunity, and the rationalization to violate NCAA recruiting regulations was on a heightened pedestal. As external viewers of the situation, we can only assume the evidence and allegations brought forth by the former players hold truth. The situation at SMU calls for an in-depth investigation with the use of proper investigative procedures to reveal the truth behind SMU’s recruiting practices.

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