The NCAA has come under a lot of criticism lately, much of it well-founded, particularly when its by-the-letter enforcement of its rules makes no sense whatsoever. The latest case in point: the matter of Middle Tennessee State freshman football player Steven Rhodes. An NCAA rule provides that student-athletes who don’t enroll in college within a year of graduating high school will be charged one year of eligibility for every academic year they participate in “organized competition.” The NCAA determined that the 24-year-old Rhodes, fresh off a five-year stint with the United States Marines, was ineligible to play college ball because he played in a recreational league while in the service, thus violating that rule.
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011, I’ve noticed a dramatic increase in law enforcement’s interest in “zero tolerance” (both at the level of the beat cop and at the level of the prosecutor) and the NCAA enforcement of this particular rule underscores the silliniess of such an attitude. Thankfully (and remarkably), the NCAA has come to its senses, and Rhodes has been given a waiver.
Now, if only we could adopt a “zero tolerance” policy for “zero tolerance” policies….