The Byzantine behavior of the NCAA

It just struck us.

Bizarre is the apt word for it.

It's a play off the old saying "whoever has the gold makes the rules." But this time there's an addendum: attach "...and decides/announces whenever they see fit."

Why it didn't resonate when we first read the news is inexplicable.

It goes back to the Jason Groves/Las Cruces Suns-News article posted earlier this week titled "Jahmar Young cleared by NCAA"

In the article, Groves writes:

"...They had to make a decision today, so [NMSU Compliance Officer Braun Cartwright] Braun basically said that we need to find out something today or at least let the kid practice," NMSU head coach Marvin Menzies said. "It's still kind of surreal. I can't believe it..."

And then this:

"...Their policy was seven days and we now moved to the eighth day and I asked for if they could not make a final decision, could we get some special provisions," Cartwright said. "He should be able to practice over the break. He should be able to receive his financial aid and he should be able to travel with the team even though he could not compete. I think they realized a decision had to be made immediately because we are in day eight. I just got off the phone 30 minutes ago saying that he is officially cleared..."

So, the NCAA apparently had not made a decision -- this despite the self-mandated time frame for doing so having concluded.

Also, the NCAA was not going to contact New Mexico State with news that the decision not to make a decision had been made -- again, despite the NCAA having designed a seven-day period in which to provide a ruling.

Call it arrogance, call it hubris, call it indifferent thoughtlessness.

We call it inappropriate and wrong.

When NCAA President Myles Brand spoke to the National Press Club in 2001 on "Academics First: Reforming Intercollegiate Athletics," which focused on how the disconnect between intercollegiate athletics and education "jeopardizes the essential mission of our universities," he at least addressed a need, even if the answer -- Academic Progress Rates or APR -- is unwieldly and fails to provide an actual sense of reality.

But Brand has apparently forsaken any belief that his own organization is in need of revamping -- or at least needing more employees who will follow policy and care about their mission.