View Full Version : OU fan asked to stop fund-raiser for slain recruit
Intrepid 08-29-2007, 07:07 AM NewsOK: OU fan asked to stop fund-raiser for slain recruit (http://newsok.com/article/3113099/1188356326)
Gotta love the NCAA!
By Jake Trotter
Staff Writer
NORMAN Just hours after Oklahoma football recruit Herman Mitchell was shot to death Friday in Houston, Adam Fineberg started raising money for Mitchell's family.
But after raising $4,500, enough to cover almost half the cost of Mitchell's funeral, Fineberg stopped. An OU compliance officer told him his actions would constitute an NCAA rules violation against the Sooners.
Now, Mitchell's mother likely will never receive that money.
That money is considered illegal financial assistance under NCAA rules because Mitchell's brother is a sophomore fullback at Westfield High School in Spring, Texas, and because Fineberg is an OU fan who attends Sooner football games and solicited donations through an OU fan Web site.
"I think it's wrong, said Fineberg, an Oklahoma City native who graduated from Heritage Hall in 1995 and lives in Houston. "Mitchell's mom is a single mother, and I just wanted to help the family out.
"I was just starting to get it rolling, too.
OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said the an official with the university's compliance office contacted Fineberg on Monday asking to him halt his fundraising efforts until the OU received a rules interpretation from the NCAA. That interpretation came Tuesday.
"This is not a permissible expense for OU or someone who could be construed as an OU supporter, said Mossman, an associate athletic director for communications. "We're not trying to be the bad guys, but we have to play by their rules.
OU could apply for a waiver that would allow Fineberg to resume his fundraising and allow the Mitchell's family to receive the money, an NCAA official said late Tuesday.
"We would consider that if the university chose to go down that avenue, NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said.
Herman Mitchell, 17, was on his way to Westfield for a football scrimmage last Friday afternoon when a fight broke out between Mitchell and 19-year-old Emile "Rusty Lewis over ownership of a dog, according to police.
Police said Lewis went to his apartment and returned with a rifle, shooting Mitchell several times and killing him.
Police have arrested Lewis and charged him with murder.
Coming into this season, Mitchell was regarded as one of the top high school football players in Texas.
The 6-foot, 200-pound outside linebacker had several college scholarship offers but chose the Sooners in June.
Fineberg, who graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown, received donations from posters on the Sooner fan Web site, OUInsider.com, and used "HermanMitchellOUSooners.pledgepage.org as his Web address. He said he expected to raise at least $10,000, which would've covered the costs of Mitchell's funeral.
Fineberg said since he's been asked to stop raising money, he's had to turn down donation offers from Houston's Heisman Trophy winner, Andre Ware, and a player from the NFL's Houston Texans.
"I understand that rules shouldn't be broken, said Fineberg. "But I don't understand this rule.
Last month, the NCAA imposed sanctions on OU after an investigation revealed that three football players, including starting quarterback Rhett Bomar, had received payment for work they had not done at Big Red Sports and Imports, a Norman car dealership.
"I'm trying to do the right thing, Fineberg said. "But I don't want to put the university in trouble.
Now, Fineberg is working OU's compliance office to figure out what to do with the money.
If Fineberg doesn't refund his donors, he might be able to give it to the Texas High School Coaches Association benevolence fund, which Fineberg said already gave $3,000 to Mitchell's family for funeral expenses.
But Fineberg's money would go to a general fund and not to Mitchell's family.
The other option being discussed is creating a scholarship in Mitchell's name in cooperation with the OU club of Houston.
But first, Fineberg's donors would have to agree with how their money is used. And in either scenario, the money wouldn't reach Mitchell's family.
"The plan was for it all to go to his family with no stipulations, said Fineberg, who originally was going to collect funds until Oct. 1, then present the money to the Mitchell family on Oct. 5. "Now, they won't get it, just because Herman had a younger brother.
"And that's unfortunate.
This was all done through ouinsider.com, a site where I'm an administrator (and where I promote this site and receive lots of new users as a result).
The guy meant well and even asked others about the NCAA consequences before making the post that asked for donations.
Since the young man has passed away, I can't see how the NCAA would have any issues with this... There is no way the school could benefit from helping the kid's mother.
cindyl57 08-29-2007, 09:39 AM I know the NCAA has rules and that they apply to everyone, but....
You know this is cannot be the first time a situation like this has come up.
There should be a rule to address it.
I suppose being able to ask for a waiver is the way around it.
What makes it really sad...Is that the NCAA has rules in place because of all the unethical actions of others in the past.
So once again...those that choose to cheat, lie and steal...make the rest of the world pay.
JMHO
This sucks!!!!
Intrepid 08-29-2007, 09:56 AM This was all done through ouinsider.com, a site where I'm an administrator (and where I promote this site and receive lots of new users as a result).
The guy meant well and even asked others about the NCAA consequences before making the post that asked for donations.
Since the young man has passed away, I can't see how the NCAA would have any issues with this... There is no way the school could benefit from helping the kid's mother.
The problem, according to the NCAA, is that he has a brother in high school and the money can be viewed as an "influence" should he decide to attend OU.
Still a bunch of hogwash.
rugbybrado 08-29-2007, 11:32 AM maybe if OU would stop breaking the rules they would stop getting threaten/ punished by the ncaa.
its always something with you cry babies. you cant give money to players or their familys - dead or not.
FritterGirl 08-29-2007, 11:48 AM maybe if OU would stop breaking the rules they would stop getting threaten/ punished by the ncaa.
its always something with you cry babies. you cant give money to players or their familys - dead or not.
I don't know this has anything to do with our recent infractions.
My guess is if the recruit did not have a brother still in high school - and therefore capable of influence - this would not have been an issue at all. It's not about being a cry-baby, it's about doing what some consider to be right and charitable for another human being.
Sometimes our blood doesn't have to bleed any particular color to teach us that.
And tacky comments like yours about "dead or not" players (not to mention your atrocious spelling) only provide us a glimpse of your true colors. Go Pokes!
MadMonk 08-29-2007, 02:02 PM http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/DoNotFeedTroll.svg/150px-DoNotFeedTroll.svg.png
rugbybrado 08-29-2007, 03:26 PM And tacky comments like yours about "dead or not" players (not to mention your atrocious spelling) only provide us a glimpse of your true colors. Go Pokes!
Sorry for using familys instead of families - i wasnt aware that it was unforgivable.
rugbybrado 08-29-2007, 03:31 PM it's about doing what some consider to be right and charitable for another human being.
I guess its right and charitable to just give bomar the money as well -
Bomar apparently filed for 40-hour work weeks at a Norman, Okla., auto dealership, making up to $18,000, when he only worked 5 hours a week, Schad reported.
ESPN - Sooners dismiss Bomar, Quinn - College Football (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2537332)
I really hope you guys keep it up, the NCAA thinks OU is a joke - you might as well go ahead and prove it. Dont make me even bring up basketball....
It just always surprises me that you never hear of any other Colleges having these problems...but each year OU is always involved in some breaking of the rules.
rugbybrado 08-29-2007, 03:36 PM Only OU? Not quite -- Sooners have lots of scandalous company - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/columns/story/10255471)
maybe that will make you guys feel better.
Midtowner 08-29-2007, 08:29 PM brado -- don't be such a punk.
For chrissakes, a kid died, a guy was raising money to help with funeral expenses for a cash-strapped family and to help pay for the kid's younger brother's college. What this has to do with any ex-OU player who is no longer with the team is beyond me. Your posts are so far afield as to leave most of us wondering where in the heck you're coming from. 3 posts in a row? We get it, you don't like OU. This thread isn't about your dislike though. It's about a kid who died very tragically. Were OU fans behaving like you when Vernon Grant had his tragic accident? No? Show some class.
You want to assume there's something bad going on here?
This really has nil to do with any of OU's past NCAA infractions which neither you nor anyone else can prove OU knew anything about until it was too late.
If the NCAA has half a heart, they'll grant OU's request for a waiver.
Intrepid 08-29-2007, 10:00 PM brado -- don't be such a punk.
For chrissakes, a kid died, a guy was raising money to help with funeral expenses for a cash-strapped family and to help pay for the kid's younger brother's college. What this has to do with any ex-OU player who is no longer with the team is beyond me. Your posts are so far afield as to leave most of us wondering where in the heck you're coming from. 3 posts in a row? We get it, you don't like OU. This thread isn't about your dislike though. It's about a kid who died very tragically. Were OU fans behaving like you when Vernon Grant had his tragic accident? No? Show some class.
You want to assume there's something bad going on here?
This really has nil to do with any of OU's past NCAA infractions which neither you nor anyone else can prove OU knew anything about until it was too late.
If the NCAA has half a heart, they'll grant OU's request for a waiver.
:congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:
Easy180 08-30-2007, 08:01 AM OU haters.....Unite!!
Someone must have sounded the alarm
Martin 08-30-2007, 08:12 AM brado -- don't be such a punk.
for chrissakes, a kid died, a guy was raising money to help with funeral expenses for a cash-strapped family and to help pay for the kid's younger brother's college. what this has to do with any ex-ou player who is no longer with the team is beyond me. your posts are so far afield as to leave most of us wondering where in the heck you're coming from. 3 posts in a row? we get it, you don't like ou. this thread isn't about your dislike though. it's about a kid who died very tragically. were ou fans behaving like you when vernon grant had his tragic accident? no? show some class.
you want to assume there's something bad going on here?
this really has nil to do with any of ou's past ncaa infractions which neither you nor anyone else can prove ou knew anything about until it was too late.
if the ncaa has half a heart, they'll grant ou's request for a waiver.
quoted for truth. -M
Oh GAWD the Smell! 08-30-2007, 08:57 AM maybe if OU would stop breaking the rules they would stop getting threaten/ punished by the ncaa.
its always something with you cry babies. you cant give money to players or their familys - dead or not.
Who is a crybaby?
This is for you:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/imawingnut/waambulance.jpg
rugbybrado 08-30-2007, 03:43 PM If the NCAA has half a heart, they'll grant OU's request for a waiver.
you cant give players or their familys money - its not hard to understand, i dont see why OU supporters cant seem to grasp this simple idea.
Martin 08-30-2007, 05:12 PM brado,
an entity can give players or their families money if the ncaa grants a waiver... hence ou's request for such a waiver. this is obvious to any rational person. what's truly sad is that you hate the university of oklahoma more than you care about a family who is grieving the loss of a son.
-M
cityguy 08-30-2007, 05:28 PM NCAA grants waiver for fundraiser for Oklahoma recruit's funeral
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) The NCAA said Thursday it has granted a waiver for the University of Oklahoma to set up a fund to assist with funeral expenses for the family of a slain football recruit.
Herman Mitchell, a 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker, verbally committed in June to play for the Sooners, but the 17-year-old from Westfield High School in Houston was shot to death Friday after getting into a fight at an apartment complex.
Soon after, Oklahoma booster and Houston resident Adam Fineberg began raising money for Mitchell's family to help defray the player's funeral costs. Fineberg had raised about $4,500 before university compliance officials told him his actions violated NCAA rules. He has since refunded the money.
Oklahoma officials said they'd been told Tuesday by the NCAA that the money raised by Fineberg would constitute illegal financial assistance under NCAA rules, because Mitchell's brother is a sophomore football player at Westfield and Fineberg is considered to be an Oklahoma booster.
Fineberg said his only intention was to help Mitchell's mother to pay for the funeral. Oklahoma compliance officials requested the waiver on Wednesday.
"We're happy with their decision and now we have we have a little bit of work to do, to make sure we do this in accordance with NCAA rules and with the laws of Oklahoma," Oklahoma athletic department spokesman Kenny Mossman said.
Under the waiver, granted by the NCAA's membership services staff, any funds raised by Fineberg can be transferred to the university to help pay for funeral expenses.
The waiver has three conditions that the university take control of the fundraising and any funds already donated to Fineberg; that the university use the funds to directly cover the costs of the funeral and memorial services, with no money going directly to the family; and that any excess funds be donated to a Houston-area non-profit organization to be chosen by the university.
"This is a tragic circumstance, and we are glad we were able to work quickly with OU to assist this family in their time of need," said Kevin Lennon, the NCAA vice president for membership services.
Lennon said NCAA bylaws cannot take into account the unique circumstances of every situation.
"This is a case where our waiver process worked exactly as it is intended to collaborate with a member institution to address an individual situation," he said.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
rugbybrado 08-30-2007, 05:45 PM brado,
an entity can give players or their families money if the ncaa grants a waiver... hence ou's request for such a waiver. this is obvious to any rational person. what's truly sad is that you hate the university of oklahoma more than you care about a family who is grieving the loss of a son.
-M
Somewhere in the world someone dies every 8 seconds, where is your compassion for those people?
WikiAnswers - How many people die a day (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_people_die_a_day)
Its the same place my compassion for some kid from houston who got into a fight is......
Martin 08-30-2007, 05:58 PM brado,
that pointless statistic is completely irrelevent to the discussion. a community tries to make life a little better for a family that is grieving the loss of a son and you can't see past some silly college football enmity.
-M
betts 08-30-2007, 07:28 PM I heard on the radio a couple of hours ago that the NCAA has relented and will allow OU to raise funds for the funeral. The proviso is that all funds have to come directly from the university, no money can go to the family. It has to be used strictly for funeral expenses and any extra money has to go to a nonprofit organization in Houston of the university's choice.
Oh GAWD the Smell! 08-30-2007, 10:27 PM Somewhere in the world someone dies every 8 seconds, where is your compassion for those people?
WikiAnswers - How many people die a day (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_people_die_a_day)
Its the same place my compassion for some kid from houston who got into a fight is......
I'll remember this if you ever post about a loved one getting murdered.
And may all the flies in Ethiopia migrate to your bedroom tonight.
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 06:15 AM I'll remember this if you ever post about a loved one getting murdered.
And may all the flies in Ethiopia migrate to your bedroom tonight.
I know what i said seems kinda harsh, but when you watch the local 10p news each night they mention 2-3 murders in the metro okc area. (our neighbors) and no one ever mentions anything about those people ever again. But then when we have a kid from houston who verbally commited to OU get murdered everyone acts like its the worst thing in the world and how could something like this ever happen...
Where is the money for the kids family to help with funeral expenses who helped you at the grocery store, or the guy who works in your mail room who lost his son to gang violence?
Im not trying to be 'deep' or an 'as$' but why should i care about someone who died almost 500 miles away when we dont care about someone who dies across town.
Midtowner 08-31-2007, 06:27 AM How does Vernon Grant's death make you feel?
The OSU basketball team?
Well.. folks die all the time. Get over it!
-- is that how you're thinking here?
Oh GAWD the Smell! 08-31-2007, 06:59 AM I know what i said seems kinda harsh, but when you watch the local 10p news each night they mention 2-3 murders in the metro okc area. (our neighbors) and no one ever mentions anything about those people ever again. But then when we have a kid from houston who verbally commited to OU get murdered everyone acts like its the worst thing in the world and how could something like this ever happen...
Where is the money for the kids family to help with funeral expenses who helped you at the grocery store, or the guy who works in your mail room who lost his son to gang violence?
Im not trying to be 'deep' or an 'as$' but why should i care about someone who died almost 500 miles away when we dont care about someone who dies across town.
Why do you care to whom other people give their money? I'm not going to be charitable when and where rugbybrado deems it okay. Doctors Without Borders is about helping people on the other side of the planet and by your reasoning, I'm some kind of deviant for giving them money.
Giving money to help somebody 500 miles away and caring for local folk in a bind are not mutually exclusive either. I can do both.
If I knew your name, I'd have half a mind to donate $25 to this kid's fund with it.
Martin 08-31-2007, 07:02 AM i know what i said seems kinda harsh, but when you watch the local 10p news each night they mention 2-3 murders in the metro okc area. (our neighbors) and no one ever mentions anything about those people ever again.
and within a week or so the media isn't going to mention this family again, either. what's your point?
...but then when we have a kid from houston who verbally commited to ou get murdered everyone acts like its the worst thing in the world and how could something like this ever happen
this is an exaggeration. nobody is suggesting that this is 'the worst thing in the world.' a community has simply seen a need and are pooling resources to respond to that need.
where is the money for the kids family to help with funeral expenses who helped you at the grocery store, or the guy who works in your mail room who lost his son to gang violence?
perhaps you choose not to better your community and help out others in need, but there are plenty of people who do. people that you never hear about on the news are helped through bad situations every single day by various charitable foundations, churches and individual acts of kindness.
im not trying to be 'deep' or an '###' but why should i care about someone who died almost 500 miles away when we dont care about someone who dies across town.
first, the tone and content of your posts suggest you are trying to be a jerk. if this had nothing to do with ou, you wouldn't hold the position you are arguing. your prior posts in this thread and on this board have made that clear. what you have written since is simply a smokescreen to attempt to cover up your stupidity.
second, it has been demonstrated that people do care about those in need in our own community. however, let's entertain the assertion you've made. given your logic, i suppose that organizations that help out the poverty-stricken in other countries are wrong to give of their time and resources as long as there is poverty here. in the end, your posts seem to indicate that it's up to you to personally decide what causes people should espouse and if they care about different things than you do, you are automatically critical of them.
third, nobody is confusing your incoherent and abrasive statements as being 'deep.'
-M
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 07:07 AM Why do you care to whom other people give their money? I'm not going to be charitable when and where rugbybrado deems it okay. .
i was just mearly pointing out how everyone makes a fuss about some thug living in the hood who got shot - if he couldnt play football no one on this board would care.
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 07:13 AM -in the end, your posts seem to indicate that it's up to you to personally decide what causes people should espouse and if they care about different things than you do.
-third, nobody is confusing your incoherent and abrasive statements
-M
-Yes, yes it is.
-funny, for being 'incoherent' everyone seems to respond to my post.
Martin 08-31-2007, 07:18 AM funny, for being 'incoherent' everyone seems to respond to my post.
true... the backwards thinking shown in your posts is like watching a trainwreck. however, peoples' responses are no indicication of the coherence of your statements.
-M
Oh GAWD the Smell! 08-31-2007, 10:33 AM i was just mearly pointing out how everyone makes a fuss about some thug living in the hood who got shot - if he couldnt play football no one on this board would care.
And I was merely pointing out the flaws in your wonky reasoning on this.
So what if he was living "in the hood" (I don't know that he was, and I'm afraid to take your word for it)? That makes it okay? He was getting out, going to go to college, yet you're slamming him simply due to being born poor.
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 10:57 AM NewsOK: OU football player arrested (http://newsok.com/article/3114978/)
you guys always get the cream of the crop, from gang-bangers to thieves...
Midtowner 08-31-2007, 11:01 AM Obsess much?
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 11:38 AM I honestly wonder what implications the gas thing wil have for OU.
Obviously some booster gave him the code....i cant wait for the NCAA to get ahold of this.
Midtowner 08-31-2007, 11:59 AM We'll see.
I don't see how any of that is "obvious" as you put it. Care to support your ramblings?
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 02:33 PM We'll see.
I don't see how any of that is "obvious" as you put it. Care to support your ramblings?
sure, he was at a locally owned gas station(non chain) to which someone obviously had to give him the keys to the pump and then supply him with the code numbers to turn it on. esp. with the ever rising prices of gas these are both things that arent mistakenly get given out to the wrong people.
so local gas station after it was closed for the night+keys to pump+ code to activate the pump = ncaa major violations.
See below ..........
rugbybrado 08-31-2007, 02:36 PM Published: August 31, 2007 10:24 am
OU player arrested
Transcript Staff
OU freshman football player Ryan Broyles was arrested for allegedly attempting to steal gasoline from a convenience store pump early today, Norman police confirmed.
Broyles, 19, was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center at 12:10 a.m. Friday on attempted larceny charges. He was released at 3:44 a.m. after posting $200 cash bond, according to a sheriff's captain.
Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy said a Norman officer was on routine patrol on East Alameda about midnight. The officer noticed a vehicle parked at the gas pumps at Mr. Shortstop which was closed.
"He observed a male subject standing between gas pumps and an SUV. He pulled into investigate," Judy said.
Judy said that there was a key inserted into the front of the gas pump. "Upon further investigation, it was determined that Mr. Broyles was in a possession of a key and codes with which the pump could be activated to pump gas," Judy said.
"He determined that Mr. Broyles was not an employee and had not been an employee of Mr. Shortstop," Judy said. He was then arrested for attempted larceny.
OU officials said they were aware of the incident and were expected to comment on Broyles' status later today.
Broyles was an all-state selection at Norman High School last season. He had 44 receptions of 908 yards and rushed for 345. He also scored 20 touchdowns.
Broyles was listed as the second-team wide receiver on OU's depth chart for Saturday's season opener against North Texas.
Sooner coaches have praised him since preseason practices began.
"He's one of those guys, I don't know how to say it, he's like a gamer," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "When he's in practices and scrimmages he just shows up. He knows how to find the open space, catches the ball well. He just has a knack for getting himself in the right positions, finding the right hole to get the ball. He just has a good feel on the field."
Broyles was the centerpiece of recruiting saga involving OU and Oklahoma State last winter. He orally committed to play at Oklahoma State in the fall. But he changed his mind in the week leading up to signing day
Martin 08-31-2007, 02:58 PM right. there's no other possible explanation. Man is charged with theft in reprogramming of fuel pumps (http://www.npnweb.com/daily/news.asp?a=564787)
-M
CuatrodeMayo 08-31-2007, 03:29 PM right. there's no other possible explanation. Man is charged with theft in reprogramming of fuel pumps (http://www.npnweb.com/daily/news.asp?a=564787)
-M
This is a FOOTBALL PLAYER we are talking about here.
Midtowner 08-31-2007, 03:48 PM For NCAA violations to lie, the University must have had some way of knowing about this. Also, it must have been done by a booster. That's a lot to assume. The player is from Norman. It is highly possible that his getting the free gas had nothing to do with him playing for the University of Oklahoma.
I guess we won't know for awhile -- anything until that time is speculative. Brado, you may wish this was the gas for football players program as arranged by President Boren, but sadly, your wish does not make it so.
It's pretty clear you're just here to get a rise out of OU fans.
Martin 08-31-2007, 04:11 PM cuatro,
the suspect bought a pump key and entered in some standard codes. this is not rocket science... so easy, a football player can do it. i'm not saying that's what happened here in norman, but it is a possibility.
-M
Easy180 08-31-2007, 04:15 PM Pokes got all fired up when Broyles dissed them at the last minute and signed with a winner...Sure they are having a good time with this story
Too bad they don't ever have a good time in November
Easy180 08-31-2007, 04:27 PM Speaking of idiots
Looks like Bomar won his first game with Sam Houston State last night...Close win over the annual powerhouse Angelo State
(Golf clap)
traxx 09-05-2007, 11:23 AM maybe if OU would stop breaking the rules they would stop getting threaten/ punished by the ncaa.
its always something with you cry babies. you cant give money to players or their familys - dead or not.
From your other posts I deduce that you're an OsU fan. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry. If so, does the name Hart Lee Dykes mean anything to you.
NewsOK: OU football player arrested (http://newsok.com/article/3114978/)
you guys always get the cream of the crop, from gang-bangers to thieves...
MrAnderson? Is that you?
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