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Gallion scoring points against Fulmer, NCAA 01/27/04 Enough already. Stop this craziness. Does it really matter? That is a small but representative sampling of recent e-mails on a column about Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer's part-time job as a two-bit hustling detective and how it relates to the NCAA's shattering judgment on Alabama, which came almost two years ago. Well, I think it does matter. I think it matters because even though Alabama was clearly in the wrong and had serious problems in its program, which needed to be and were being rectified, the process used against the school was unscrupulous and contaminated and should never be applied again. And while others continue to rail on Montgomery attorney Tommy Gallion, his case against the NCAA and subsequent information being obtained through the criminal case in Memphis, his stand will likely help others down the road even though it's not likely to help Alabama. For too long, the NCAA's enforcement staff, as well as the Committee on Infractions, has been allowed to rule college athletics with a selective process and an iron fist. The NCAA has made decisions in secret without being accountable to anyone. Well, thanks to Gallion and this process of taking the case to the public, the times they are changing and the ultimate results could be remarkable. This most recent debate isn't really about whether Fulmer was a secret witness or not. It's unlikely any information he provided couldn't have been found elsewhere. The question is the principles and the morality of this organization giving the coach certain protections while his own program was being investigated. You don't have to be an Alabama fan to see the facade in that process. It's pathetic that many fans in Tennessee can't see the forest for the trees. Are you saying that doesn't stink? Oh, on the aroma meter, I'd put it up there with Bourbon Street at the crack of dawn. So what if Fulmer spent eight hours with Tom Culpepper gaining information? Well, it might matter more if Culpepper, who had a background in coaching and recruiting, was also discussing a possible job on Rocky Top! Regardless, what Fulmer did in the Alabama case may have helped the NCAA in the short term but it's likely to cost them in the end. In addition to helping to prove Gallion's case of a conspiracy, it is going to send out a clarion call to future prospective witnesses to start running if the NCAA comes calling. However, back to the original argument of whether it matters or not. It does because this is an organization that can and has ruined lives, careers and the well-being of universities with virtually no accountability. "The NCAA needs to quit hiding behind the skirts of secret witnesses and manufactured evidence. ... The mission right now is to expose the NCAA for their corrupt tactics, their Mafioso tactics," said Gallion. "And if it takes down the University of Tennessee's football program, hallelujah." Gallion didn't make that statement yesterday. Instead, he made it at the onset of this case, well over a year ago, in an interview with SI.com, when many of us were laughing at him, saying he was just another ambulance-chasing lawyer out for an easy buck. The other day, he told the same organization, in regard to Fulmer, "I'm getting ready to pop that fat b----." Well, here's hoping he does. Because to find a solution, one must first weed out the problems. Sometimes, turning in another school is necessary, particularly, if one has exhausted all the appropriate channels. However, in this case, Fulmer decided to get in bed with the NCAA and go way beyond the normal channels. Gallion has exposed Fulmer and I'm betting heavily he's going to be exposing a lot more in the coming days. It was a longshot at the beginning. Gallion is still not a favorite to win this case in court. However, in the court of public opinion, he has already shown what many of us have always believed -- the NCAA is a corrupt, out of control organization that needs to be brought to its knees. (Paul Finebaum's columns appears Tuesdays and Saturdays in the Mobile Register. Contact him at [EMAIL PROTECTED]) ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
