Jamie isn't stupid. I believe he had a reason to say what he did.
In accordance with the Big 12 Conference Principles and Standards of Sportsmanship, the Conference has issued a public reprimand of Iowa State University Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard for his comments following Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State. In addition, the Conference assessed a $25,000 fine for Pollard’s post-game remarks and put him on notice that any similar behavior will result in a more serious penalty.
“Mr. Pollard’s public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the Conference’s officiating program,†stated Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “To imply that games are called unfairly to negatively impact a program is irresponsible and completely baseless. Accordingly, the seriousness of this violation warrants a public reprimand and a financial penalty. We take pride in our officiating programs and will continue to strive for the highest possible standards and the fairest competition.â€
JAMIE POLLARD STATEMENT
“Although on Saturday I felt the need to defend our players and our institution, Dr. Leath and I recognize that our decision to have me do so publicly was in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship guidelines and we accept the Commissioner’s punishment. Furthermore, I apologize for implying that Iowa State University’s vote against the addition of an eighth official at a conference meeting in 2013 impacted game officiating. It was inappropriate for me to do so. We are committed to working with the Big 12 Conference in the appropriate manner moving forward.â€
Well theres the monetary cost, and there is also a competitive advantage to the faster teams.Okay... If adding the 8th official was the only thing we voted against, and JP brought that up, well, that was just idiotic... Why wouldn't we want an extra official on the field, (it costs each team $2k per game or something). That was just cheap on our part, and then to bring it up as the reason we might be getting unfair penalties... C'mon JP.
This wasn't scripted, JP went from the gut, and screwed up with that comment. Criticize the call, fine. But to bring up the vote for an 8th official was just stupid...
#REPRIMANDED.
Iowa Nice Guy has never been prouder of the Big 12 Conference.
don't say something if you think you'll have to apologize for it later. I don't like the apology. Stick to it or shut up. Either way, I don't see how this benefits us going forward. Now what if we get another bad call? Who can say something without losing their job????
I think it's time for Iowa Nice Guy to react to this BS from the Big 12.
Pollard needs to just start shutting up. If he pulls this crap with Hoiberg, I'm not going to be happy.
Okay... If adding the 8th official was the only thing we voted against, and JP brought that up, well, that was just idiotic... Why wouldn't we want an extra official on the field, (it costs each team $2k per game or something). That was just cheap on our part, and then to bring it up as the reason we might be getting unfair penalties... C'mon JP.
This wasn't scripted, JP went from the gut, and screwed up with that comment. Criticize the call, fine. But to bring up the vote for an 8th official was just stupid...
“To imply that games are called unfairly to negatively impact a program is irresponsible and completely baseless.
obviously the big 12 was going to reprimand and fine JP. They had to. But Pollard is right. These screw ups happen way too often, and we definitely suffer from it. 2 to 3 wins changed to loses because of bad calls is a season of wins for our team. It is horribly demoralizing to feel you are also playing against the refs, and I would bet it affects practice, and focus, and a couple signature wins creates momentum, it tells recruits that we are headed somewhere. A recruit doesn't care that we won apology letters. They care that we went to a bowl. Winning at ISU has always been a difficult thing to do. Downright impossible if the refs keep screwing us.
A few wins doesn't make us top of conference, far from it, but it does make us more than just "better than kansas" and means we exceeded the predictions of most experts. Take the last few seasons and give us three more wins, but not just the wins, give us the momentum and excitement that might have come with those wins. Are people still calling for CPR's head?
The fact that Leath knew about it and agreed with what would be said (per Pollard's statement) leads me to believe it was very much scripted and thought out, just like everything else he's ever done. I can't think of a single time JP has gone off the cusp, and I don't think this was one of those times either. I think this has probably been planned out since at least K-State, maybe even earlier and was just waiting for the right timing.
"I think the vast majority of people in intercollegiate athletics are of high integrity, they're doing it for the right reasons," Bowlsby said at the Big 12 Conference media days. "But right now, if you want to cheat, you can do it and you can get away with it. There are benefits for doing that.