While former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro was leading the Hurricanes out on to the field of the Orange Bowl and roaming the sidelines, little did Miami’s athletic or university administration know -- or, at least that’s their story -- that Shapiro was allegedly handing out impermissible benefits to players.
As UM tries to pick up the pieces from the largest football scandal of the year, steps are now being put in place to tighten up control the program has over its players. The Associated Press reports that all guests without a “game day operations purpose” will not be allowed field-access passes.
Donors will still be allowed on the field before the game, but will be accompanied by authorized university employee and must stay in a designated area. Recruits and parents will also be allowed on to the field before the game, but like boosters, will be accompanied by a university employee and must leave the field 22 minutes prior to kickoff.
In some cases, former UM players will be allowed on the sidelines during games, but all exceptions must be approved by president Donna Shalala and athletic director Shawn Eichorst.
The NCAA investigation of Miami’s program is ongoing, so in addition to helping prevent future cases like the Shapiro allegations, consider this one effort by the university to show the NCAA that they take allegations and violations seriously.
The NCAA has already suspended eight Miami players for at least one game this season in the aftermath of the Shapiro allegations.