Dave Brandon supports Mark Emmert's Penn State sanctions, says Big Ten will survive the scandal
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he fully supports the ruling the NCAA handed down to the Penn State football program Monday.
Debates sprang up about whether or not the NCAA's ruling was too harsh, too lenient or somewhere in between. But, according to Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, the entire situation was handled just right.
"That was a process that was completely driven by the presidents, as it should be," Brandon said Tuesday. "I thought (NCAA president Mark) Emmert did a terrific job in laying out the case of what they did and why they did it.
"And the fact that Penn State embraced it and recognized and accepted it, it doesn't close the chapter in this, but it's a step in the right direction."
Brandon, who was joined Tuesday in Ann Arbor by Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis for the annual B1G AD Golf Challenge, not only offered his thoughts on how Emmert and company handled the situation, but also said he believes the Big Ten will survive this.
Penn State's punishments include a four-year postseason ban, a four-year Big Ten Championship Game expulsion and massive scholarship loss.
In 2012, the Big Ten will have two teams -- Penn State and Ohio State -- that won't be eligible to participate in postseason play due to NCAA sanctions. And, in 2010, Michigan was placed on a three-year probation period for practice infractions during the Rich Rodriguez era.
"Let's face it, there have been a couple situations recently that have been a negative, there's no doubt about it," Brandon said. "But the bigger picture, when you look at all the student-atheles, all the sports (in the Big Ten), I think there's a lot to be proud of."
Much of the criticism surrounding the Penn State situation has been focused on the premise that football became "too big" at the university, and in turn, blinded members of the athletic department from coming forward to stop the Sandusky scandal.
At Michigan, football is obviously king as far as athletics goes.
Brandon can't deny that, but he did say that -- at Michigan -- athletics are far from the most important thing on campus.
And under his watch, that'll never change.
"Athletics is really important, but it's not the most important thing that happens on this campus," Brandon said. "We're a little not-for-profit auxiliary unit of this institution. This is a $6 billion institution with tens of 1,000s of faculty members and discoveries are made every day that change the world.
"Yeah, we play football and we play basketball and we have rabid fans who really enjoy that. … And we're pleased that we have people who love and are passionate about what we do, but if we ever get to the point where we think it's more important than the real important things that take place on a college campus, then we've lost our way."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.
"Athletics is really important, but it's not the most important thing that happens on this campus," Brandon said. "We're a little not-for-profit auxiliary unit of this institution. This is a $6 billion institution with tens of 1,000s of faculty members and discoveries are made every day that change the world. And that's why Michigan leads the nation in everything. Brandon is right on with his paise for the NCAA and Penn State's acceptance (Whether they liked it our not). To me, the healing at PSU has already begun, and they will return to prominence (can't put a timeline on it, but bank on it. MgoBlueForTim.....David Brandon is a saint.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2:34 a.m.
"Athletics is really important, but it's not the most important thing that happens on this campus," Brandon said. "We're a little not-for-profit auxiliary unit of this institution. This is a $6 billion institution with tens of 1,000s of faculty members and discoveries are made every day that change the world. And that's why Michigan leads the nation in everything. Brandon is right on with his paise for the NCAA and Penn State's acceptance (Whether they liked it our not). To me, the healing at PSU has already begun, and they will return to prominence (can't put a timeline on it, but bank on it. MgoBlueForTim.....David Brandon is a saint.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2:43 a.m.
"praise" (I hate auto-spell check)
Engineer
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:52 a.m.
Brandon forgot to say the MOST important thing on campus is money. It drives everything. That is why even with a surplus ticket prices go up. That is why he thought about leaving the band home. $$$$$$$$
Santiago
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.
"This is the most disgusting thing I've ever read." Apparently you havem't read Jerry Sandusky Grand Jury report. Wait...come to think of it, you probably have.
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
yes, he probably did...under the blanket with a flashlight.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.
ugghhh... This is the most disgusting thing I've ever read. The Big10 excuses already starting, day 1. "That was a process that was completely driven by the presidents, as it should be," Brandon said Tuesday. "I thought (NCAA president Mark) Emmert did a terrific job in laying out the case of what they did and why they did it. "And the fact that Penn State embraced it and recognized and accepted it, it doesn't close the chapter in this, but it's a step in the right direction." Really? REALLYYYYYYY? Then why did it take a court CONVICTION before anything was done?????? give me a break. What choice did Penn St. have but to "embrace" and "accept" the punishment? What OTHER option was open to them? Someone please explain!
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 2 a.m.
"Really? REALLYYYYYYY? Then why did it take a court CONVICTION before anything was done??????' usually it takes the NCAA 4-6 years to do anything after news of a scandal breaks out. And its the NCAA we are talking about not the BIG 10. Last time i checked the SEC was part of the NCAA. i believe Harris Pastides University of South Carolina is your rep on the board of directors.
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
stupid questions...stupid answers
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:59 p.m.
typical "mich man" response. really...they could have "legally" challenged it? ok...that was a "real" option. What world do you big 10 peeps live in?
a2citizen
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.
"...What OTHER option was open to them?..." Legally, there were several reasons they could have challenged the NCAA's authority to rule in the case. They made the right choice.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:16 p.m.
and Emmert didn't "lay out a case"...he simply re-stated the one someone else made.
Xgojim
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
In order that every football-crazy college keeps football in the right perspective, maybe each one of them should take a "Penn State pill" every 10 yrs. Rotate it thru the NCAA D1 schools. That would surely kill the sport but "keep it in the right perspective," whatever that is.
MRunner73
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
Mr Brandon puts this into perspective. The underlying message to all NCAA schools, don't screw up! GO BLUE!!
SEC Fan
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
"underlying message" really? what part of this is "underlying"???????????????
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.
Glad to hear it, Dave. I only hope that the rest of the University can get their minds around that reality and/or make sure it IS a reality. Sports are fun and profitable and most of us love to get cranked up over them, but they are, after all, just games. Go Blue!
JustfortheRecord
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
"This is a $6 billion institution with tens of 1,000s of faculty members and discoveries are made every day that change the world." LOVE IT!
NoMoreMrZero
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.
I think someone needs to send out a search party!
Cliff
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
of course he supports it. Now he has a load of new football players to go after....
heartbreakM
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.
For all my critiques of DB, it is refreshing to hear him say that.