Could Bush affect USC football history?

It happens to athletes at small colleges and universities across the nation. Many times it is due to boosters, agents, marketers or even family connections. However in the case of NFL star Reggie Bush and his alleged gifts at USC comes up, it’s an issue of national importance.

First, Bush is one of the most celebrated players in Trojan history as he led them to two national championships and became the seventh recipient of the Heisman Trophy in the school’s history. Secondly, the men of Troy have reigned as one of the best Pac-10 conference teams and a persistent national contender for the past six seasons.

As a result, Bush is still under fire for alleged agreements with a former colleague, Lloyd Lake and with San Diego businessman Michael Michaels. The controversy began on Apr. 23, 2006, when allegations surfaced that Bush’s family was living in a home belonging to Michaels in San Diego, which is considered an extra benefit and a clear violation according to NCAA policy.

Both Lake and Michaels joined in creating New Era Sports & Entertainment, a marketing company that intended to have Bush as their first client. However ties seemed to be strained when Bush allegedly broke an agreement to sign with New Era and found new representation before entering the 2006 NFL Draft.

On June 1, 2006, an FBI investigation was launched into a possible extortion scheme on behalf of Lake, Michaels and New Era. However Lake has claimed to have recorded conversations with Bush that could reveal that gifts were given to him and his family. Among the alleged gifts to Bush include over $300,000 in cash, rent and $12,000 car that is believed to be financed by Michaels.

More gasoline was poured on the fire when author Don Yeager released his book, “Tarnished Heisman” on Jan. 15 of this year. The book includes transcripts and claims made by Lake, in addition to alleged instances in which USC coaching personnel were involved with Bush and his potential link to extra benefits.

If any of these allegations are found to be true, Bush will surely be in trouble but what will happen to USC?

On May 2, 2006, head coach Pete Carroll told the Associated Press that he is not concerned that the program will face any penalties from the NCAA due to these allegations.
Yet with the ongoing probe by federal authorities in addition to independent investigations by the NCAA and the Pac-10 conference, there is still a chance that USC could face the repercussions of Bush’s actions. As a result, there could be a domino effect that results in both governing bodies setting forth penalties that could allow others like the Heisman committee to rescind their trophy they awarded Bush in 2005.

Still I investigated how many in the USC community like those close to the situation and others with outside knowledge would react if such a catastrophic after effect would occur from the Bush controversy.

Brandon Hancock, a teammate that shared the backfield as a full back with Bush in the 2003 and 2005 seasons at USC, offered that if the school did know about the alleged gifts it would be a black eye but he maintains that the program never suspected anything in his time there.

“I would be upset if there was knowledge on behalf of USC,” said Hancock, who received his master’s degree from USC in December 2007. “I would be disappointed in that regard but we never suspected any foul play or anything of that nature.”

Still, Hancock believes that does not take away from the achievements made by those national championship teams in 2003 and 2004. “They are not going to come to my house and take my ring away,” Hancock said. “It’s not going to take away from what we accomplished then.”

The same sentiments were emphasized by Adam Rose, a graduate of USC, who writes for his Los Angeles Times blog, “All Things Trojan.” Rose deems that it is improbable that the school will face any consequences on the behalf of its former star running back.

“I think it is very unlikely that USC will be sanctioned by the NCAA at this point,” Rose said. “I think the allegations are not really evidence and I believe USC knew nothing about it.”

Rose puts forth the notion that USC is in the same predicament as other schools have been in the past, such as Michigan, who had no knowledge of one of their own star players, Charles Woodson, receiving gifts while still at Ann Arbor.

But Rose thinks that the likelihood of USC having to rescind their national titles because of these investigations is very slim.

“It would be difficult for this to happen because A. there is no precedent for this, B. they don’t have method to do this and C. it is more of a headache than they want to deal with,” Rose said.

As for those bleeding cardinal and gold currently, many of them differ in feelings if USC was affected by potential sanctions. Junior Jeremy Hall thinks despite the allegations against Bush, his school was not aware of his dealings.

“I still don’t see anything USC knew about it,” Hall said. “There is no way that they can keep track of every player 24/7.”

But if the school does face punishment from governing bodies for its knowledge in this case?

“They can’t really complain about it,” Hall said. “It has happened to other schools so why should USC be any different?”

Although there is still reason to believe that Bush may have violated NCAA rules, USC should and probably will not face any penalties. Coach Carroll and entire athletics program at USC are very open and willing to help if they had any information. But clearly this is a situation between Bush and his former associated parties.

The school itself should not have to pay for Bush’s actions if he did in fact take gifts while still in college. I believe when it is all said and done the school will be found innocent of any wrong doing and put all this behind them. As for Bush, it remains to be seen how it will play out if he did in fact get involved in some shady practices while in a Trojan uniform.