Mark Emmert is the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He is the head honcho for an organization that supposedly prides itself on putting student-athletes first. However, I have to question their motives based on their recent treatment of Moustapha Diagne.
Diagne, if you’re unaware, has been forced to leave Syracuse University and the Syracuse Basketball program. The reason is based on a single course he took in Senegal more than three years ago, which may or may not meet the NCAA standards. This still has yet to be determined, regardless of the fact that he graduated from high school in June. He did so in excellent academic standing and met all other requirements put forth by the NCAA.
So I’ve decided to take it upon myself to write Mr. Emmert a letter addressing this situation and asking him to comment. I don’t actually expect I’ll hear a response, but hey, you never know. The following is my letter:
"“Anybody who has ever spent time at a university, if you ask them, should an official walk in and say that’s not a good enough class? That’s a laughable proposition. We never want a national association to become arbiter of (course) legitimacy.” -Mark Emmert, NCAA President"
Dear Mr. Emmert-
According to a quote from yourself earlier this year, “Anybody who has ever spent time at a university, if you ask them, should an official walk in and say that’s not a good enough class? That’s a laughable proposition. We never want a national association to become arbiter of (course) legitimacy.”
Based on that quote, is it fair that a player like Moustapha Diagne is having a single course he took in Senegal scrutinized by an arbiter as being possibly “not good enough”? He completed three years of above average coursework in high school and surpassed all standardized test scores. Does that not seem to be an incredibly hypocritical viewpoint?
As a fan of college athletics, I feel that integrity, accountability, and transparency are crucial aspects of keeping a level playing field and looking out for student-athletes. I also feel that the NCAA should be doing what is in the athletes best interest, so I’m curious how you feel that the current situation with Moustapha Diagne is in any way in his best interest?
He has now been forced to de-commit from Syracuse and enroll in a two-year junior college because of how long this process has taken. It has effectively made him change his entire future plans at the last possible minute, just to be able to stay in this country and renew his visa. So again, how does that benefit Diagne at all?
For an organization that touts itself as a supporter of student-athletes, this seems like a case of an athlete falling through the cracks. To me, this is nothing short of a complete failure by the NCAA to keep his best interests at heart. It has adversely affected his life and possible career trajectory.
Is there any response you can give me that justifies this stance by the NCAA? Thank you in advance for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
David Stone
Syracuse Alumni, Class of 2004
"“We must be student-centered in all that we do. The Association was founded on the notion of integrating athletics into the educational experience, and we have to make sure we deliver on that 100-year-old promise. We have to remind ourselves that this is about the young men and women we asked to come to our schools for a great educational experience. We have to collectively deliver on those promises.” -Mark Emmert, NCAA President"
As I said, I don’t really expect a response. But I do feel he needs to be held accountable, especially when he makes statements about how important student-athletes are. If you agree with me, feel free to copy and paste this email and send it to his email at memmert@ncaa.org. Perhaps if enough people send him responses, the NCAA will quit dragging it’s feet in matters like this and players like Moustapha Diagne will not be the ones to suffer.