They are the Big 3 at the University of Tennessee.
Fulmer, Summitt, and Pearl. No other school in the country can boast of three higher profile coaches. Depending upon your criteria, Fulmer is the winningest coach in college football. Summitt is the winningest college basketball coach of all-time. And Pearl has won more games in three years than any other Vol coach in men’s basketball history.
But they are not the Big 3 just because of the number of W’s they’ve racked up.
They are now the Big 3 tattletales in today’s world of sports. With the news last week that Summitt, as had long been speculated, did in fact accuse Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies of cheating, it gave UT the perfect trifecta. All of the Big 3 have now turned in their arch rivals for recruiting violations.
Fulmer did it to Alabama. Pearl did it to Illinois while an assistant at Iowa. And now Summitt has followed suit.
Summitt knows her X’s and O’s but she apparently doesn’t know much about turning in cheaters. Where was the tape recorder? Fulmer and Pearl both used tape recorders to secretly record conversations with their unsuspecting prey. Summitt relied on such reliable information as newspaper reports, chat room transcripts, and rumors. She obviously didn’t go to the same detective school as did her two male counterparts on The Hill. She may someday be governor of this state but she could never make it as a private eye.
Summitt also hasn’t figured out that crying about trivial infractions that can’t be substantiated isn’t good enough. Fulmer and Pearl went for the juggler and the NCAA had a field day with the evidence provided by them. After seeing what Fulmer and Pearl had delivered, can you imagine the NCAA’s excitement when they received Summit’s packet of allegations. “This is going to be good,” they must have thought. Instead, they were left asking, “Where’s the beef?”
Playing the role of enforcer can be risky. You’d better have the goods or else.
Fulmer couldn’t beat Bama so he single handedly wrecked the football program and left lives in shambles. The Crimson Tide faithful have suffered through a decade of misery thanks to the evidence collected by Inspector Fulmer. Likewise, Pearl brought the Illini program to its knees after the NCAA discovered multiple major violations while following up on the evidence submitted by Detective Pearl. Lt. Summitt on the other hand produced no evidence and the Lady Huskies’ program remains as strong as ever. In fact, Geno & Company will likely be the consensus number one team in the country next season.
Fulmer and Pearl went after their prey like hungry tigers. Their victims felt the power of their gnashing teeth. Summitt on the other hand charged like a gnat and was little more than a nuisance to Auriemma. Oh sure, he had to answer a few questions and there was one very minor infraction that was verified but he still stands tall. His program has withstood the scrutiny of the NCAA. His team is loaded with talent and his Lady Huskies are expected to dominate over the next couple of years. And he has turned the whole thing into a public relations bonanza while creating a nightmare for Lady Summitt.
The downside to reporting cheaters is that you are putting your own reputation on the line. If it turns out you are right and major penalties result, you can survive in the court of public opinion. Most people, even if they don’t like tattletales, will say, “They got what they deserved.” But if you fire and miss, you look small and hear such words a “sour grapes,” whiner, and “crybaby” while that guy in New England that you hate so much comes out smelling like a rose. In this case, it’s UCONN that’s having fun with it and smearing Summitt’s reputation all the while. And all Summitt can say is “No Comment.”
No one likes a tattletale even if they are the most successful basketball coach in the history of the game. But when you tattletale and can’t back it up with proof, it is worse. That’s what happens when you try to live up to someone else. And all she wanted was to be part of the Big 3.
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User Comments
check your facts on what the NCAA found on Illinois. None of Pearl's accusations were substantiated. None.
Why did Fulmer and Pearl hire a juggler?
I'm not sure what your problem is. A vast majority of honor codes require not only that you follow the rules, but you report those who don't. I'm proud of these "Big 3" for standing up for themselves, their programs, the rules, and justice. And for the record, Phil Fulmer has a pretty good record against Alabama. As you have suggested, get your own facts straight and, by the way, learn how to spell (juggler? you idiot) before you fire off this kind of garbage that you hold out to us as quality journalism.
Jason, the only problem with Pearl is that he was guilty of the same things he accused Illinois of doing.
He was just looking out for his own interests; he was not concerned with "justice."
When we make this about Summitt and Auriemma, we forget the other person who was hurt by this: the young athlete Maya Moore. I'm sure that Coach Summitt was angry at UCONN and Auriemma because Maya chose to go to UCONN. I'm equally sure she was angry at Maya Moore for not choosing UT. So as a consequence, deep in the bowels of the NCAA in their violations database (along with the jewelry, bribes, cars, etc.) is an entry for the innocent student athlete who took a tour of ESPN. She surely didn't choose UCONN because of that! She exercised her free will in choosing her college and in doing so crossed a very powerful coach.
re: honor codes, that's a great statement, but what about when you falsely accuse someone? UConn acknowlegded the one charge that stuck; shouldn't there be some apology for the many other accusations that were launched with questionable (and in one case, outright incorrect) information? now THAT would restore some resepct in and "honor" to Pat Summitt.
Sounds as if you have a problem with everyone playing by the rules, and you don't like anyone who insists that everyone does. I'm glad we have coaches who have the guts to try to keep their sports clean.
Personally, I'm very impressed with Pat. It must be very time consuming coaching a division 1 collegiate team to a national championship, but for her to be able to find the extra time to read her archrival's internet message board is sooo impressive. Way to go, Pat!
You are absolutely correct about Pat Summitt. The leaked info was an embarassment to the university. Over thirty pages of accusations - half of it internet chatter on a message board - and the only "violation" is that Uconn called up ESPN to have Maya Moore visit them. What a joke!
It would be a joke (Summitt's charges) except for the students names mentioned - Reminds me of what happened to the Duke Lacrosse students
Amazing that you would even print this mess. UCONN caused their own problems and probably more than we even know about...If you want to be a journalist, why don't you check to see if the NCAA is doing anything about Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Doty having lunch together in Geno's office BEFORE she signed. That is a news report...not this garbage. You are not one bit better than the Courant - but at least they have more than 100 people reading their rag.
I agree with Lane. We all know that Taurasi and Bird put some stuff into Doty's food that made her choose UConn.
Honestly, it's extremely ironic that a team from the SEC--which is known to be a very dirty conference--would file complaints based on information in news articles and on an internet message boards. If there are truly any Tennessee fans who believe that "alums sharing lunch with a recruit" or any of this other crap are actually a big deal then I have a suggestion: take your head out of Summitt's (Head's?) @$$!
I don't have a problem with playing by the rules. The the NCAA (the ultimate decider of "playing by the rules") didn't have that much trouble either with the one "violation". But you're telling me it's OK to just shoot off accusations without checking if they a) actually occurred, and b) are actually violations? And this is a heroic person to look up to? Pat caught UConn, they got the duly authorized punishment, Pat (if she is this great Good For The Game person) should now apologize for the inaccuracies. But I guess that's too much to ask for.
Bruce Pearl gave the NCAA a highly doctored and edited tape with him (Pearl) stating that Deon Thomas got a Blazer and bag of money from Illinois and Deon Thomas mumbling "yeh, uh huh" to get him off the phone after hours of harrassing phone calls late into the night.
The only problem was that neither Deon nor any of his family had any money or a Blazer. None of Pearl's accusations were substantiated after several years of NCAA investigations.
Ryan - sorry you can't stand the fact that Geno was arrogant enough to think that those three having lunch in his office was OKAY.
Oh God, I can see the headlines from courant now if ex-players had lunch with CP in Pat's office when she was a potential recruit - Oh what a field day they would have had. Doty, outed you without knowing what she had done. It is just one more example how Geno accidentally breaks the rules. It might not be over just yet :)
BTW Mike - she has nothing to apologize for - the NCAA is just a bunch of figure heads that spend more time on watching men's violations than the women. If they didn't react to Doty's statement in the newspaper - then what will they pay attention to?
Kudos Pat for not being scared to question the practices of a team. BTW, this was posted on the ESPN message board by a UConner - if this person hadn't, no one would have ever read this from a cub reporter that wants to make a name for himself - Hey Terry - I heard the Courant is looking for a few more reporters - maybe they will give you a blog to start with ;)
"the NCAA is just a bunch of figure heads that spend more time on watching men's violations than the women."
ah yes, true. the old "what do they know" argument makes it right, even if they are the official court of last resort. so now even *they* are dissing Pat? yep, the same NCAA that couldn't do anything about a clock malfunction. yeah, we know about the NCAA - they give and they take away, don't they... so it's ok if the cops accuse a person of multiple crimes, as long as the person is caught littering, or jaywalking?
And if Pat was so brave, why didn't SHE announce the recruiting questions - because she was wrong on all but 1?
Wow...the clock malfunction - you mean the one that even the BE said was not the fault of UT - good way to move the discussion away from the happy meal. Seems like every time that subject is brought up - Uconn comes up with the clock, or the one violation that the NCAA hit UCONN with - not one of you will say a word about that lunch - why is that?
I don't know if she was wrong - just the NCAA picking one to throw UCONN's way - it still might not be over and you can't stand it :)
Nothing better then some Tennessee media telling the truth on their own school
Pat Summitt has forever tarnished her image with her baseless allegations against Tennessee's biggest rival. Kudos to the author for having the guts to write this in Pat's home state.
What's Pat next allegation about Geno, that his socks don't always match?
Pat's image will never be tarnished except to UCONN - who got caught cheating. You call Seymour the Tennessee media LOL
Hmmm - three post after mine last night and not on reference to the happy meal - keep living in that world of denial.
Does Geno wear socks lol
Pat used to be gracious in victory and classy in defeat. Now she is just classless. The only brave person in this process is the author of this article. I have many friends from Tenn and not one beleives that baseless allegations with crayon based proof are worthy of the school they love.
"And all she wanted was to be part of the Big 3." ROTFLMAO! Sounds like the author of this article is trying to be a part of the media . . . in Seymour, TN . . . now where is that? OK Terry Smith/Jones, whatever, gotten enough attention from your unwitting article? Me thinks you have a man-crush on cheaters.
"not one of you will say a word about that lunch - why is that?"
Because it isn't a big ****ing deal! Do you really think Caroline Doty chose UConn because Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird shared some french fries with her?
I'm amazed at how fired up some of these UT fans (Lane, for instance) are getting about these ridiculously minor "violations"...especially considering how dirty a reputation the SEC has.
#2 stephen - my guess is it a typo, should have been jugular (sp) vein (I am not a good speller - but the paper should have a proofreader to catch it
just curious on fact checking as well - Fulmer is a good coach and all but JoPa and Bobby are still coaching (and my guess is Grambling or Bama has the record for the ex coaches)
I might remind you that had UK given Pat the 100 for moving expenses they would have had Rupp, Bryant, and Summit at the same school.
I like watching both UT and UCONN women in action, but frankly I am getting tired of it as the press they get drains the press from other good teams like Rutgers and LSU. Get over it and do what is best for women's basketball overall
#10 Just Visiting - not quite the same, as the Duke lacrosse team had years and years of problems - while that case was thrown out - it did find several years of factual problems with the men's lacrosse program going back several years
#12 ryan - as for the SEC being the dirtiest conference.. I have my doubts, I would favor the PAC 10 or the ACC but with so much ad revenue comming from big market schools my guess is it is easier to pick on small market schools with boosters that don't own the network's (an observation about usc, ucla, n.crolina, and duke - and potential media bias) that said.. it should be a level playing field, and if somebody does wrong they get punished. If charges are not proved, then apologies should be offered and everybody moves on.
nothing is perfect.. but use the time spend blathering back and forth to come up with viable solutions to make the sport better
just an observation
everyone should play by the rules but some chose not too.
I wouldn't exactly say she has the guts to keep the sports clean..please, accusing fans of holding up signs at a supershow as a recruiting violation? How about what she does on a visit by a recruit to her house where the entire bb team is assembled clad in t-shirts with that recruit's baby picture on it. Then, take her to the arena where they have a jersey with her name on it hanging in a locker. Then inside the arena they have the PA system and the big screen hooked up, and they announce her name and put it up in bold letters on the screen. And then end it all with a blimp that drops a national letter of intent at her feet. Nothing against the rules, but she is ignorant enough to include an allegation in her report about CT fans holding up signs of their own free will, hardly the same, and hardly worth noting in a report. I said she was truly grasping at straws and has nobody to blame but her self as she didn't earn her paycheck on recruiting Moore and she would be the first to admit it. She just proved that she is spiteful and vindictive to include something so trivial in her report considering what she has done to young impressionable ladies. She showed her true colors here as a typical woman who is pouting about not getting what she wanted (and, I am a female, but I call them as I have seen them over the years and it is a typical female reaction). Further, all the pussy-footing around instead of standing up and admitting from the beginning it was TN that filed the report and that was why she cancelled the series. Guess she won't be playing too many other teams outside the SEC down the road because they certainly to must have made some minor violations. Shouldn't matter either if a top ranked recruit was involved, because it should have nothing to do with that but only about 'cheating."
I am a Uconn fan. I am very proud of all the fine young ladies that play for Uconn and Tenn. They have no trouble getting along, Pat,you have really hurt womens basketball. Facts that are not true hurt everyone.
Ask Pat why Mickey DeMoss left her!
Or wait for my tell-all book!!
You lost me when you said Fulmer couldn't beat Bama. since he has beat them 11 out of 15 tries. Way to research an article.
I'm a gaonna smoke me ! an reed all this agin. It aint reelly regestrin with me
"Juggler"? Surely yo didn't mean "jugular"?
This article is worthless.
Do some fact checking, Fulmer is 11-4 against Alabama. This is not only a winnng record but a beat down.
Who is RD Summitt? A juggler?
Pat's a b!tch. She just couldn't stand Geno winning the recruiting wars and needed to find a way to take him down. Geno is getting too close to her NCAA title record.
The bottom line is Geno knew he had to have Maya because he couldn't afford another loss in the region. So..he and et al got Maya and she carried them as far as she could. After all of this that's coming out, he's going to need more than Maya. Now, UConn, go play a tough schedule and stop basing your success on an annual game with the Lady Vols just so you can get on TV.
Geno was desperate and everyone knows it. Let's see what he can do with 3 HS POYs on your roster. And to say Pat is tired of losing the recruiting wars, please, UConn is home watching the finals while Pat is cutting down nets. If he's winning, it's way past time for him to show his excellent coaching skills since DT left. She was so good in college, she would have won a first national championship for any school she would have played for.
Very, very petty of Pat. Pat should be ashamed of herself putting herself above the benefit the series had on woman's basketball. It's a shame.
"Fulmer couldn't beat Bama so he single handedly wrecked the football program and left lives in shambles." The only thing worse than a drama queen is a drama queen who doesn't have her facts straight. Fulmer had beaten Alabama five straight times when he reported Alabama to the NCAA for recruiting infractions in 2000 with only the 1996 game being close. And for the record Steve Spurrier of Florida also turned in Alabama for violations at the same time...As for Bruce Pearl, the Illinois thing was 18 years ago and Illinois was also turned in to the NCAA by Digger Phelps of Notre Dame over the recruitment of Chicago native LaPhonso Ellis...There were plenty of shenanigans involving Chicago area high school basketball players at the time especially involving Landon "Sonny" Cox's players and not coincidentally many of them wound up at Illinois and one who didn't (Rashard Griffith who signed with Wisconsin) went on the record stating that Cox had practically insisted that he go to Illinois and harassed both him and his mother when he refused. Why? Because Cox was a broker for them - that's why.
I found one of the "juggler"s and it's #37 carl marinelli (above). Pat should be ashamed? Of what? Refusing to condone the cheating ucan't school? It IS and will always be this: geno should be ashamed, yet never will. It's a shame.
I have found one of the "juggler"s and it is #37 carl marinelli (above). Pat should be ashamed? Of what? For refusing to no longer condone the cheating ucant school? It IS and will always be this: wittle weno should be ashamed, yet never will. It's a shame.
"Fulmer couldn't beat Bama so he single handedly wrecked the football program and left lives in shambles." The only thing worse than a drama queen is a drama queen who doesn't have her facts straight. Fulmer had beaten Alabama five straight times when he turned them in for recruiting violations in 2000 with only the 1996 being a close one. And for the record Steve Spurrier of Florida (alas no friend of Fulmer's) also sent a letter to the NCAA complaining of Alabama's illegal recruiting methods...As for Bruce Pearl and the Illinois thing, that was 18 years ago and Iowa was not the only program to make allegations against Illinois a the time. Digger Phelps of Notre Dame also alleged recruiting violations over the Chicago area native LaPhonso Ellis at the time. There were plenty of shenanigans involving Chicago area basketball at the time especially surrounding High School coach Landon "Sonny" Cox's players, many of whom, not by coincidence wound up at Illinois. One who didn't (Rashard Griffith who went to Wisconsin)stated that Cox had insisted that he go to Illinois and practically harassed him and his mother over his decision to go elsewhere. Why did Cox take such an interest in his players choice? Because he was a paid player broker that is why.
Seriously? Your a journalist? The SeymourButts Herald must have been at real lack of intelligent and deserving candidates. WHAT A JOKE YOU ARE!!! Fulmer turned in AL cuz he couldn't beat them!?! REALLY? 11-4 record against AL and HE COULDNT BEAT THEM? wow. Maybe he should of recruited the JUGGLERS you talk about. How embarassed are YOU? Herald- it would behoove you to let this DOUCHEBAG go!!
not one of you will say a word about that lunch - why is that?"
Because it isn't a big ****ing deal! Do you really think Caroline Doty chose UConn because Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird shared some french fries with her?
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Yeah Ryan - I do think it is a big deal - since Doty said it sealed the deal. You know it and everyone else knows that it was a much more serious violation that the ESPN tour. You just won't admit it. And that little lunch was not part of the 34 pages sent to the SEC - that lunch came later - I hope the NCAA is looking into as we speak - since no one had to file - it was in print - if the NCAA does nothing about it - they are worthless and has given every team the go ahead to do as they please or what they have to do to get a player - you seem to be bit#ching just as much as I am. Pot/kettle
BTW - the fake poster that came up as RB Summmitt - you have no idea what you are talking about - since it is well known RB couldn't keep his pants up and that was the reason for the divorce.
what a crock of bull. uconn is a top knotch place to play and to go to school. look at how many players have continued on to play in the wnba. look what they do for their community and role models they are for our youth. the fact that some one would choose to say they cheat are just going by what they hear from the media.
hey uconnpam1 - I don't choose to say that ucan't cheated because of the media. I chose to KNOW ucan't cheated because of the numerous NCAA recruiting rules they broke. BTW - it's ucheat now, always will be. Memory is a marvelous thing.
The major difference between Fulmer,
Pearl and Summit reporting NCAA violations is that Fulmer and Pearl reported actual violations, Summitt reported nonsense with malicious intent.
I wonder if Taurasi and Bird are getting paid for their services. Recruiting is a tough job.
Sorry people but taking a tour at ESPN is not hard do to. You can take a tour -- yes anyone. Maya just wanted to see the behind the look areas of ESPN. UConn asked ESPN if they would -- no, not to use it as a TOOL to RECRUIT Maya, but to show her the broadcasting areas - she wants to be a sports reporter.
I bet if ESPN was in TN, Pat would show her recruits it. It is a NON-issue. Pat doesn't want to play GENO because she is SCARED!! ;)
How about what she does on a visit by a recruit to her house where the entire bb team is assembled clad in t-shirts with that recruit's baby picture on it. Then, take her to the arena where they have a jersey with her name on it hanging in a locker. Then inside the arena they have the PA system and the big screen hooked up, and they announce her name and put it up in bold letters on the screen. And then end it all with a blimp that drops a national letter of intent at her feet. Nothing against the rules, but she is ignorant enough to include an allegation in her report about CT fans holding up signs of their own free will, hardly the same, and hardly worth noting in a report.
I wish R D Summitt would explain!!! Are tou kin to R B?
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