ESPN's Andy Katz did a terrific profile on new Oregon State basketball coach Craig Robinson. Katz points out, "Under NCAA rules, Obama isn't allowed to make recruiting calls on the Beavers' behalf." Not even the presumptive (think positive) President of the United States of America is above NCAA rules. Seriously. Yes, Barack Obama should have more pressing matters than OSU basketball. For starters, improving our economy, ending one war (strategically, of course), avoiding others, education, healthcare, social security, on and on.Interesting that NCAA rules allow the President to help the best teams, but not the worst teams...
There's a long and colorful history of high-profile political figures getting involved in recruiting. For example, in the 1980s then-Texas Governor Bill Clements approved an illicit slush fund for gifted SMU football players. A couple years ago, Myron Rolle (according to Myron Rolle) received a text message from then-Florida Governor Jeb Bush during his recruiting trip to Florida State. After Jeb Bush found out his text message might constitute an NCAA violation, he showed his Bush DNA and was unrepentant. Said Bush, "I would have done the exact same thing for the Gators and for the Hurricanes." He added, in a moment fit for The Daily Show: "Truth be known, I'm a Hurricane fan." (Truth be known, I am a UCLA fan, but I cannot help but root for Coach Robinson and his brother in law.)
Even Coach Wooden took a walk on the wild side of NCAA rules when he spoke to hotshot recruit Kevin Love, something I previously blogged on. Note to OSU: UCLA found a way around that rule.
Check out this great, inspirational profile of Coach Robinson on ESPN's Outside the Lines.
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