Ohio State’s Gene Smith named to NCAA Commission on College Basketball

With the help of the NCAA Board of Governors, Division I Board of Directors and NCAA President Mark Emmert, college basketball has a newly formed commission that will critically examine three different aspects of the game. Chaired by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith has been named to the new commission.

In light of recent events throughout the college basketball landscape, the three areas of focus for the committee, include:

1. The relationship of the NCAA national office, member institutions, student-athletes and coaches with outside entities.
2. The NCAA’s relationship with the NBA.
3. Creating the right relationship between the universities and colleges of the NCAA and its national office to promote transparency and accountability.

The first aspect includes review of apparel companies and other commercial entities, and ensuring that they can support programs in a transparent way. Keeping these entities from influencing the game, players, and recruits will be a priority. Included in the first area of focus is making sure that the student-athletes and their families are getting legitimate career advice, and not being taken advantage of by an agent or advisor who could ultimately hurt the players’ NCAA eligibility.

Aspect No. 2 would focus on the challenges with the NBA, specifically the "one and done" factor, and possible solutions that could include adjusting the NCAA eligibility rules for players, allowing a bit more flexibility.

Finally, the third area of focus deals with the relationship between the NCAA and member institutions, and their ability to promote transparency and accountability.

With the recent scandal in college basketball bringing in the FBI, it isn’t a bad idea to promote accountability and solve the problems in college athletics.

However, is it too little, too late?