As an Ambassador and huge fan of collegiate sports, I keep myself updated with some of the major stories that surround this field. There’s no other topic that’s stirring up more trouble across the nation then the recent investigations of college programs regarding boosters and improper recruiting. After looking at bleacherreport.com and ESPN, the program in the hot seat right now is the University of Miami. A former booster of Miami football, Nevin Shapiro, was imprisoned recently after being caught orchestration a Ponzi Scheme worth $930 million. Unfortunately, he decided to bring down anyone that ever owed him anything and that wound up being the Miami program, as he tries to destroy them. The story broke out on Yahoo at the end of August and exploded in the media. Not only because it’s just another major program to face investigation, but because it raises a lot of questions. Shapiro claims to have felt, “ Like a used friend, after they (Miami football players) went pro and turned there back”. He has now broke news that he had been boosting Miami recruits with money, strippers, and even an abortion for one player. Suspensions have already been dealt out to several players, including starters that play a prominent role on the team. The scandal raises questions to me about whether Shapiro is trying to financially extort people that he may have leverage over? The proof against the athletes does not appear valid enough given the consequences they may face, which could potentially result in the death penalty of the Miami program. Which would mean that they would terminate there season. My final question lies in the controversy over the third man booster system altogether. Is it really unfair to the college athletes that are the centerpiece of the multi-billion dollar industry to receive gifts and incentives?
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