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Web Exclusives: From the Cheap Seats a PAW web exclusive column by Matt Golden '94 (email: golden2@erols.com) September 13, 2000 Ivy presidents drop hammer on Brown Bears "If we win every game, who can deny we're the best? We can turn the Ivy League trophy into a second-place trophy." These comments by Brown University head football coach Phil Estes appeared in a recent column by The Times of Trenton's Harvey Yavner. They're in response to the penalties handed down by the Ivy League presidents when the Brown Sports Foundation was found to have provided improper financial aid to student-athletes. Brown's football team will not be eligible to compete for the 2000 Ivy League title and will lose five recruiting slots in 2001 and 2002. In addition, the men's soccer and basketball and women's volleyball programs must reduce the number of paid recruiting visits they are allotted by 25 percent based on a three-year average. This is the first time that any Ivy team in any sport will be excluded from championship consideration and is no doubt a major embarrassment to the Ivy League presidents - who seemed to be sending a message by imposing heavier penalties than the National Collegiate Athletic Association had earlier approved. But what is really embarrassing is that Estes just doesn't get it. He doesn't realize that what the Brown Sports Foundation did cheapens his team's accomplishments and tarnishes the reputation of the Ivy League. Whether the Brown Bears go 10-0 or 0-10 this football season is not the issue. Despite Estes's assertion that "We are not cheaters," Brown broke the rules. Winning all their games in 2000 will not make the Bears champions, and it will not turn the Ivy championship into a second-place trophy. It will only prove that Esters and Brown can win if the field is slanted their way. Estes's statements were probably designed to inspire his team and to give them something to play for this season other than pride. That type of motivation can be a great tool - circle the wagons; it's us against the world; we'll prove everyone wrong - but save it for the locker room. To speak of making the Ivy League championship a hollow title was inappropriate and disrespectful to the league, and most importantly, to the competitors. Brown's failure to comply with Ivy League's rules in no way cheapens the accomplishment of the eventual champion. If Brown puts together a strong football season this year, the players and coaching staff should be commended for coming together and persevering under disappointing circumstances. But for now, Estes and the Bears need to quiet down and accept their penalties in a manner befitting a true championship program. By Matt Golden '94
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