Ladies and Gentlemen –
Many of you, particularly those readers in Ann Arbor…..
Are reading the latest news from Columbus Ohio with a gleam in your eye and a smile on your face.
But before you begin dancing a jig and shouting “Death to the Infidels”
Let me draw your attention, if I may, to another institution that not only has recently broken the rules of the NCAA, but is currently violating state and federal laws regarding public universities.
Relax War Eagles I’m not talking about you.
Yet……
In the town of Eugene Oregon, more known for the Corporate Headquarters of NIKE, than for the University of Oregon, lies power, money and sponsorship run amuck.
“Rogue Booster”
This well worn term and phrase we consistently hear from the NCAA anytime there is an investigation of student-athletes seemingly doesn’t apply in Eugene.
Why you may ask?
Power, Money and Sponsorship
Let me be more specific.
The University of Oregon is the pet monkey of noted Duck Alumnus Phil Knight who happens to be Founder and CEO of the NIKE Corporation.
I’m sorry was that term too harsh?
I only say that because Philip seems to do whatever he wants, when he wants at Quack University.
From redecorating and remodeling the athletic locker rooms….
To redesigning the marching band uniforms and mascot uniforms….
EDITORS NOTE: Yes, I said marching band uniforms and for the record….
The “new” Duck mascot looks like a Gay Mister Peanut on steroids.
And I think we all know by now how Phil dumped the traditional Oregon Football uniforms for a multitude of “glow in the dark” reversible mismatched ensembles.
The funny thing is that really isn’t a boosters or sponsors decision to make, now is it?
But it gets better, but doesn’t it always?
You may be asking, “So what does that have to do with breaking State and Federal Laws?”
I’m so glad you asked….
This is how it works….
When you have a public university that desires to have upgrades to any of their athletic facilities, they are required to raise those funds privately BEFORE being allowed to get approval by the Board of Trustees and the State legislature to move forward on the construction or renovation of those facilities.
After all, it is taxpayer’s money that is ultimately paying for the institution, right?
So there has to be government oversight, right?
Wrong
This is how the process works in Eugene.
Recently the University of Oregon announced the construction of their “New” Football Operations facility, which is a multi-million dollar improvement project located on campus.
Do you think the University of Oregon Athletic Administration had to jump through any Governmental red tape or work through that pesky state legislature oversight before they were granted approval?
Don’t be silly…..
It was ALL handled quite nicely by Phil Knight…..
The University of Oregon passed the land title to Phil….
EDITORS NOTE: So, a public institution owned by the taxpayers can have the land title passed to a private citizen? Say, isn’t that illegal?
Then Phil, also known as NIKE builds the facility the way HE wants it with the contractors HE wants with no outside interference and then “donates” the completed facility to the University of Oregon.
This allows Phil and to a lesser extent the University of Oregon to bypass numerous contracting and competitive bidding requirements for construction of state facilities and then to top it all off; Phil gets a HUGE tax break for his donation to the university!
EDITORS NOTE: Say, isn’t that Tax fraud?
This all makes the Ducks NCAA violations of “hiring a recruiting service” seem like small potatoes, doesn’t it?
Why do they get away with it?
Power, Money and Sponsorship run amuck = Corruption
That same equation could easily apply to the NCAA too, don’t you think?
RTR
THE CFB WIZARD