The University of Michigan came down with a heavy hand on its athletic department. The harsh punishment is a sad reminder of the embarrassment that comes when universities allow games to get out of hand.
U-M announced Thursday it would forfeit all men’s basketball victories accumulated during the 1992-1993 season and from fall 1995 to spring 1999, return $450,000 to the NCAA for money earned by tournament appearances during those years, remove related championship banners from Crisler Arena and disqualify itself from the 2003 postseason.
While Spartan fans might usually love to revel in Wolverine woes, this one even makes us say, “Ouch.”
The self-imposed punishment comes after the school received a formal letter of inquiry from the NCAA on Oct. 29 and concerns the financial scandal surrounding former U-M booster Ed Martin that goes back to the school’s “Fab Five” era, when now-NBA stars Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose ruled the court and led the Wolverines to NCAA finals in 1992 and 1993.
In May, Martin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money, and also has admitted to gambling money and combing them with other funds and gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to Webber and several other former U-M basketball players.
Webber, along with his father and his aunt are expected to go on trial next year for their involvement.
The peril of U-M’s men’s basketball program is not just a shame to the Maize and Blue, but to the college sports world. Shady deals and rule-breaking seriously taint what is meant to be a proud pastime.
U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was right to tell The Associated Press that “there is no excuse for what happened. It was wrong - plain and simple.” And the university should be commended for taking disciplinary measure seriously and into its own hands.
These unfortunate incidents prove the point there should be major consequences for athletes who do not follow the rules. What once was “Fab” can now only be considered a flop.
Of course, MSU athletics leaders know the downward spiral of wayward programs all too well this year.
It’s sad to think what issues surrounding the firing of football head coach Bobby Williams and the rumors around the loss of several key players might bring to East Lansing in a few years.
College games are sometimes taken too seriously.
And when that occurs - as U-M proved Thursday - sad things happen.
