The allegations against the University of Michigan football team are spy-novel worthy. Allegedly, according to allegations, in great deference to libel and all that suit-worthy stuff, an attache with military experience was dressed not as a Wolverine (not the animal, just the school colors for Michigan coaching staff with the obligatory Nike icon), Allegedly dressed in opposing team garb, he hung around the opposing team as if he was a member of the coaching staff. Allegedly, no one noticed. No one’s interest was piqued enough to ask, “Who are you?”
The alleged undercover Wolverine’s purpose, allegedly, was to gather alleged intelligence on alleged planned offensive plays. Like baseball, gathering intelligence is permitted under NCAA rules only live and in person during an ongoing game. Unlike the NFL, college players do not have helmet equipment that permits coaches to speak to players directly during the game. Hence, alleged cheaters find a way.
Michigan denies the allegations, demands due process, and is shocked, shocked that anyone would think that Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh would do such a thing or even allow such a thing to allegedly happen on his watch.
Nonetheless, a Michigan team analyst has tendered his resignation. In his alleged resignation letter the analyst referred to being an alleged distraction. When there is alleged video of alleged said analyst standing around among the opposite team in an earlier game (sunglassed though he was), the other members of the Big Ten are likely to have questions. Why, the universities have drawn on a computer science prof who is an expert in facial recognition. The good prof says the alleged analyst is “highly likely” the now former Michigan analyst.
Not to worry. Just like the Johnny-on-the-spot MLB, the NCAA is allegedy conducting its usual five-year investigation. Like MLB, the NCAA will issue a report. The report will confirm that the alleged cheating did indeed allegedly happen but unlike the ending in Romeo and Juliet alleged Shakespearean play, none will be punished.
Remember the Astros, allegedly.
About mmjdiary
Professor Marianne Jennings is an emeritus professor of legal and ethical studies from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, retiring in 2011 after 35 years of teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in ethics and the legal environment of business. During her tenure at ASU, she served as director of the Joan and David Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics from 1995-1999. In 2006, she was appointed faculty director for the W.P. Carey Executive MBA Program. She has done consulting work for businesses and professional groups including AICPA, Boeing, Dial Corporation, Edward Jones, Mattel, Motorola, CFA Institute, Southern California Edison, the Institute of Internal Auditors, AIMR, DuPont, AES, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Motorola, Hy-Vee Foods, IBM, Bell Helicopter, Amgen, Raytheon, and VIAD.
The sixth edition of her textbook, Case Studies in Business Ethics, was published in February 2011. The ninth edition of her textbook, Business: lts Legal, Ethical and Global Environment was published in January 2011. The 23rd edition of her book, Business Law: Principles and Cases, will be published in January 2013. The tenth edition of her book, Real Estate Law, will also be published in January 2013. Her book, A Business Tale: A Story of Ethics, Choices, Success, and a Very Large Rabbit, a fable about business ethics, was chosen by Library Journal in 2004 as its business book of the year. A Business Tale was also a finalist for two other literary awards for 2004. In 2000 her book on corporate governance was published by the New York Times MBA Pocket Series. Her book on long-term success, Building a Business Through Good Times and Bad: Lessons from Fifteen Companies, Each With a Century of Dividends, was published in October 2002 and has been used by Booz, Allen, Hamilton for its work on business longevity. Her latest book, The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse was published by St. Martin’s Press in July 2006 and has been a finalist for two book awards.
Her weekly columns are syndicated around the country, and her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Reader's Digest. A collection of her essays, Nobody Fixes Real Carrot Sticks Anymore, first published in 1994 is still being published. She has been a commentator on business issues on All Things Considered for National Public Radio.
She has served on four boards of directors, including Arizona Public Service (1987-2000), Zealous Capital Corporation, and the Center for Children with Chronic Illness and Disability at the University of Minnesota. She was appointed to the board of advisors for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators in 2004 and served on the board of trustees for Think Arizona, a public policy think tank. She has appeared on CNBC, CBS This Morning, the Today Show, and CBS Evening News.
In 2010 she was named one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Business Ethics by Trust Across America. Her books have been translated into four different languages. She received the British Emerald award for authoring one of their top 50 articles in management publications, chosen from over 15,000 articles.
Personal: Married since 1976 to Terry H. Jennings, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Deputy County Attorney; five children: Sarah, Sam, and John, and the late Claire and Hannah Jennings.
