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Did CWebb Take Money While At Michigan?

I think that's an easy question to answer. Yes, he did. It's a fact in all collegiate athletics, especially the big money generators (i.e., football, men's basketball). The question is: how much did he (and Juwan, for that matter) take, and from whom? An even better question might be: does it matter?

First, the CWebb issue. Did he take $100,000 from a local businessman with seemingly extensive (though wholly unofficial) connections to the Michigan basketball program, as is being reported? His representatives have denied it, though the reasons for denying the story aren't clear. It's also being reported that he payed back the money, plus interest, after turning professional.

I think we all can agree that it's more than likely that CWebb was payed money while at Michigan. How much is open to interpretation, and this could be the reason for the denial from his representatives.

The bigger question remains: how should this reflect on CWebb? Personally, I'm unaffected by the story. I know that athletes are paid under the table all the time, and to be honest, $100,000 doesn't even shock me. That may be the most shocking part of this. This does point up a lack of institutional oversight at Michigan (this program booster is getting the Michigan basketball program into a lot of trouble with his "support" of Michigan athletes).

Now, chew on this hypothetical situation: what if Michigan had won the NCAA title while CWebb was there, taking his $100,000? There's a strong likelihood that, if the allegations were proven true and Michigan were using an inelligible player, the NCAA would have had to strip the title from Michigan.

So, I do believe the story is true. You can take your own view on the scandal from there.

wtf 5 June 1997

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