Memo to NWAC: Up yours

Just for a start...

To hell with the NWAC.

That laundry list of penalties imposed on NIC by the Northwest Athletic Conference was beyond ridiculous.

It comes across as just plain mean.

This verdict would be more appropriate for a school that’s bedding down with a shoe company, signing NBA draft picks and being investigated by the FBI.

There’s a hint in these sanctions of a desire to push NIC into taking a hike, and stuffing last year’s 31-2 record into a moving van — just for good measure.

The NWAC’s penalties are so ridiculous that they could be exceeded only by the death penalty.

And frankly, it’s almost a shame they didn’t go for the electric chair, so NIC wouldn’t have to offer those wimpy apologies for things they’ve been doing legally for years in the NJCAA.

President Rick MacLennan should have said: “Enjoy all your statements, but we’re not taking down any banners. No how, no way.

“That’s an insult to the student-athletes who won those championships.

“Oh, and if you send some outside auditor to the North Idaho campus, we’ll have that person arrested for trespassing.”

THE STRING of penalties announced by NWAC Commissioner Marco Azurdia (aka “The Man in the High Castle”) will hurt NIC basketball players the most — which is the case whenever colleges or universities are punished.

A group of 18- and 19-year-old kids who’ve done absolutely nothing wrong always take the hit.

Always.

I mean, what is NIC supposed to do with this fall’s sophomore class?

Throw the players out of promised housing and tack on some additional tuition that some of them can’t pay?

And which none saw coming?

There are just so many things wrong about this nonsense perpetrated by the NWAC.

I’m tempted to agree with Cardinal player Ismael Valdez, who tweeted: “This ain’t about basketball, this (is) really about the rest of the NWAC being jealous of our dominance.

“Me and my squad know we are champions for life.”

Doesn’t sound like Valdez will be recruited to remove any banners, eh?

Meantime, the rest of the NWAC is giving off the whiff of smugness about these hammer blows delivered to NIC.

Walla Walla Community College immediately popped up with a picture of its 2017 championship banner with the caption, “Built, not Bought.”

I haven’t traveled throughout the region to gauge reaction, but I’m willing to bet there’s plenty of grins and laughter, just thinking of NIC being taken behind the woodshed.

In reality, signs in all those NWAC gyms perhaps should say: “We’re mediocre, and we’ll see that you are, too.”

THERE ARE two major issues here, if you believe the NWAC’s investigation, and its denial of an appeal.

They’re going nuts over NIC’s booster club, and what it has provided to some basketball players.

Now let me ask you a question.

Are we supposed to believe that there are no booster clubs at the 35 other schools — no parents, alums and fans holding 50-50 raffles, selling hot dogs and programs at games...

Then using the money to buy jock straps or whatever?

I don’t believe that.

The NWAC also took a few swings at NIC’s summer camps, at which athletes have worked.

The only problem there is that the NWAC guidebook really doesn’t have any specific rules concerning camps.

That’s just tacking on charges for the fun of it.

This spring, Grays Harbor College volleyball coach Christine Nelson and athletic director Tom Sutera were forced to resign after Nelson provided furniture to a player, loaned another $750 for rent, loaned her car to several players and...yes, paid her players to work at camps.

The penalty?

Two-year probation and a $1,400 fine.

That’s all.

Now match that up with the flogging of NIC.

Yes, North Idaho College is saving money (roughly $350,000 per year) by playing in the NWAC.

But to pick a phrase...

At what price?

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns for The Press appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Steve also contributes the “Zags Tracker” package on Gonzaga basketball once monthly during the offseason.

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