The tuba player and the art major are on their own. NCAA officials don't seem to mind such contracts, though, because the supplier deals directly with the university, not with the students themselves. However, that doesn't change the fact that only athletes benefit from such shoe contracts. Finally, consider this bit of hypocrisy. NCAA officials have said Wisconsin athletes and administrators should have been well versed in the rules regarding receiving extra benefits.
Ignorance is no defense, they say.
On Thursday, NCAA spokesman Wally Renfro admitted that he screwed up when he announced last week that senior Chris Chambers could serve his three-game suspension while injured. Chambers must now serve the suspension once he is healthy. It seems Renfro wasn't sure of the NCAA rules before he spoke. If the shoe fits. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 8, 2000.