Delaware State will enter the 2009-10 season with a 0-1 record in the MEAC because the Hornets have already forfeited their game against North Carolina A&T to fit in a guaranteed money game at Michigan. The conference commissioner will review the situation, and the university expects to receive a fine for its decision to play a major non-conference opponent for money instead of a MEAC team, according to a USA Today report. Major conference teams often pay overmatched non-conference opponents to come to their home court for what usually ends in a beatdown. The guaranteed money is part of the deal, regardless of the result of the game. Many teams feel compelled to take the money to fund their athletic department.
“We’ve already settled it with North Carolina A&T that it will be their victory,” said Candy Young-Sanders, the Delaware State senior women’s administrator who was involved in trying to solve the scheduling issue. “You don’t want to give the appearance that you are chasing money. However, when you have an opportunity (for a guarantee game) and you see the state is making cuts.”
Delaware State has decided that the money it receives from playing Michigan will outweigh a potential fine from MEAC. The situation might be a wake-up call for the NCAA to address the scheduling system that encourages teams to accept payoffs in exchange for a likely road loss. The economic reality of smaller schools complicates this situation.
