2 Canes Players Kicked Off Team For Alleged Sexual Assault

((HT: WPLG-TV))

Two Miami Hurricanes football players are now "former" football players with the school after an incident over the holiday weekend that can only be described as "frightening."

Can't think of any other word to use at the moment...

Jawand Blue and Alexander Figueroa were arrested on charges of sexual battery of a 17-year-old girl and were being held on bonds of $10,000 and $15,000 respectively. Figueroa also had a charge of "possession of a stolen or fictitious driver's license" added.

The police report says that both allegedly gave alcohol to the minor female to the point where she was in a state that she couldn't resist the sex acts the two were performing

Here's the morning report
Athletic Director Blake James released this statement earlier this morning: “Earlier today, I permanently dismissed Jawand Blue and Alexander Figueroa from the UM football team. The University has also suspended the students from school and barred them from all campus facilities while the University conducts an internal investigation and continues to cooperate with local law enforcement. Any allegation of a sexual assault is extremely serious, and the University will not tolerate conduct that threatens the sanctity and safety of our students and our campus. We hold all of our students – especially student athletes – to the highest standards of moral conduct. The University is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment for all." UM President Donna Shalala also issued a statement: "The safety and welfare of our students is fundamental to our mission as a university. We have zero tolerance for sexual assault and gender-based violence," she said. "We will fully and compassionately support the victim of sexual assault. I have spoken to her myself and reassured her of our full support."

A Really Bad Miami Hurricanes Video For Graduating Seniors

((HT: CBS Sports/Norlander))

Another group of kids got to add the word "graduate" to their names at the University of Miami this past weekend...

And as part of the frivolity, the basketball teams and Sebastian the Ibis got involved...

Watch at your own risk...
The HQ only made it through about 90 seconds before being scared...


We didn't know President Shalala had hops...
And, frankly, we didn't want to know...

Miami On Notice With NCAA

((HT: WSVN-TV))

Miami's athletics program is now on the clock with the NCAA and they now have 90 days to respond to the letter of allegation set forth by the NCAA in their investigation in and around Nevin Shapiro...

Those words "lack of institutional control" are being bandied about...

And President Donna Shalala thinks the school has been punished enough and punished itself enough...

Thanks for that thought, Madame President...

You can't punish yourself... unless you really wanted your football team to go to the Belk Bowl...

In addition to the alleged 72 athletes Shapiro claims benefited in the football program, former head men's basketball coach Frank Haith has been named as part of the deal. He did address the letter after his win over Virginia:

"There was no unethical conduct in my notice of allegation," Haith said. "And it is just an allegation, so we get a chance to defend ourselves."

Haith is alleged of failing "to promote an atmosphere for compliance," a charge specific to how he handled things when Shapiro allegedly wanted money in exchange for not going public with accusations that he paid to help the Hurricanes recruit a player.

So, there's that...

Here's Steve Shapiro...with that and highlights...
WSVN-TV -

President Shalala wrote a rather lengthy rebuttal to the NCAA's allegations, saying in part:

"Despite their efforts over two and a half years, the NCAA enforcement staff could not find evidence of prostitution, expensive cars for players, expensive dinners paid for by boosters, player bounty payments, rampant alcohol and drug use, or the alleged hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts given to student-athletes, as reported in the media. The fabricated story played well -- the facts did not."

The whole response can be found hyah, thanks again to WSVN...

Canes Ban Themselves Again...

If the HQ was Miami head coach Al Golden, we'd jet right now...

Here was the statement the school put out this morning from AD Blake James...
President Donna Shalala and the school's legal counsel were also involved in the decision.

"Considerable deliberation and discussion based on the status of the NCAA inquiry went into the decision-making process and, while acknowledging the impact that the decision will have on current student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans, a determination was made that voluntarily withholding the football team from a second postseason was not only a prudent step for the University to take but will also allow for the football program and University to move forward in the most expedited manner possible."

The school is hoping that, by doing this, they can allay the fears of the NCAA when it comes to Uncle Nevin and all of his alleged shenanigans...

It's the second straight year that the school is post-season banning themselves...

After the Canes win over South Florida this weekend, Golden was ready to fire...

"Come at me. Bury me all you want. Attack me all you want. These kids who have stuck it out, who have stayed here, who have never gotten one week in two years without hearing about all this nonsense, don't blame them. And I appreciate all those kids that not only stayed here, but those guys that answered the bell, that answered the call to come here and fix this. And we will get it fixed."

And all the new self-imposed ban does is create a problem for the A-Cee-Cee...

If the Canes beat Duke, they tie for first in the Coastal with Duke. But Georgia Tech will represent the division against Florida State in the Championship Game.

Wake and Virginia Tech need wins to become bowl eligible this weekend...

Got all that...???
((HT: WSVN-TV))
WSVN-TV -

Shalala Admits 15 Under Investigation at UM

((HT: umcommunications))

Miami president Donna Shalala says university compliance officers are looking into the eligibility of 15 Hurricanes players who have been implicated by Nevin Shapiro's conversation with Charles Robinson.

In a video message released Monday, Shalala says the university "will move through the process thoroughly."

Here's her message to the community...


Five months ago, NCAA officials say that they started investigating Shapiro's claims. President Shalala says Miami has retained attorneys who specialize in NCAA investigations to assist with the process.

Of course, she has... she needs to keep an eye on her career dissipation light as well... remember the photo of her at the bowling alley...???

We all do now...