Staff Report
Just because nearly four years have passed since Dave Bliss coached at UNM doesn't necessarily mean that the University is exempt from the NCAA's current investigation.
The investigation, while still focusing on the unethical practices Bliss was involved in at Baylor, is widening to look into the possibility of similar occurrences at the other universities Bliss coached at.
According to the NCAA's Web site, there is a bylaw that defines a four-year exemption rule for schools to be investigated for prior improprieties. UNM finds itself on the cusp of that four year rule, with Bliss having worked here from 1988-99 and three exceptions exist that could leave UNM susceptible to investigation.
The two exceptions that still pertain to UNM are:
A pattern of willfull violations on the part of the University or individual involved, which began before but continued within the four-year period.
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Allegations that indicate a blatant disregard for the NCAA's fundamental recruiting, extra benefit, academic or ethical conduct regulations that involved an effort to conceal the violations.
The NCAA's Web site states that investigations aren't based on an individual's action but on those of the institution as a whole.
But recent allegations of Bliss making illegal player payments during his time at Southern Methodist University, where he coached before coming to UNM, and the ongoing revelations of corruption at Baylor, the coach's credibility could come into question.
