• Final NCAA ruling in Perry Jones case still leaves many nationwide perplexed

    Perry JonesAs you may have heard by now, the NCAA late Thursday rejected Baylor’s appeal of the suspension of freshman basketball student-athlete Perry Jones III.

    Naturally, I (and many others around the country, regardless of their affiliation to Baylor) stand disappointed — not only with the result, but also with the fact that Jones’ case does not seem to have been handled in a manner consistent with other recent high-profile NCAA cases. We’ve previously mentioned the Cam Newton and Ohio State football cases as similar situations in which a player was not found guilty for his parent’s actions (Newton) or was allowed to finish the playoffs with his team before being suspended (OSU). Another case within Jones’ own sport is that of Kentucky’s John Wall, who was found to have received benefits of a similar amount to Jones but was suspended just two games (and one of those was an exhibition game).

    If stories in the media (like this one from ESPN.com) and posts on the NCAA’s Facebook page are any indication, the NCAA’s stand on the Perry Jones case has left people scratching their heads, wondering how anyone can act based on the rules when the NCAA’ s interpretation of those rules varies from case to case.

    Regardless, the NCAA has made its final ruling, and it appears Baylor has done all it can on behalf of Jones. But that’s not the end; Baylor officials will continue to push the NCAA to improve its decision-making process on such issues, and NCAA leaders have agreed to meet with President Ken Starr, Director of Athletics Ian McCaw and other Baylor representatives to discuss the concerns that have arisen in this case.

    As the NCAA has closed the case on this matter, our disappointment remains, for the effects it had on the Baylor team and especially for Perry Jones. I am appreciative, however, of the way Baylor officials, from President Starr on down, and others in the Baylor family have continued to stand up for the university and PJ3. Their dedication to this matter on the behalf shows a great deal of concern for our student-athletes and our university’s reputation, and I am proud to see that.

    Sic ’em, Baylor Nation!