Shauna Moffitt, wife of Bulls Linebacker Ben Moffitt, has come public to say she wrote school papers for him and also completed two online courses he was taking at USF.

These allegations come to light at the same time Ben Moffitt filed for divorce. A most unfortunate personal situation.  Putting aside the domestic landscape, my focus is what implications these allegations can have on USF athletics if proven true.  I am not privy to the exact procedures universities have in situations like this.  However, I would think protocol hasn't changed since my college days. 

First thing we have to do is separate this issue from FSU's academic nightmare.  No university employees or tutors were involved here from what we can gather.  The allegations underlined were done solely with the knowledge of Shauna and Ben Moffitt.  So, this is strictly an academic issue, not an athletic/academic issue.  I would believe that the USF athletic department wouldn't be held accountable.  Not to say the NCAA wouldn't investigate this matter, but someone has to formally bring these allegations to the NCAA body, and it will take it from there if they feel it necessary.

Second.  Trying to prove these allegations true will be very difficult.  Saying it is one thing, bringing indisputable evidence is another.  When I was in college, any student, athlete or not, tested in PERSON, in the classroom.  If for some reason a professor thought, at that time, there was an issue with the test results, or whatever assignment given, that professor would have to go to the student and the university academic adminstration.  The situation would be dealt with immediately.  I would doubt this procedure has changed through the years. 

So, as I collect information on what Shauna says happened, no professor, at that time, questioned the assignments Ben handed in or tested out. 

Thirdly, we are dealing with online testing in two instances, according to Shauna Moffitt.  How is one to prove that Ben never took those tests?  If it was done on their home computer, it would be impossible.  If it was done on another computer away from home, or at Shauna's workplace, maybe there's a way to trace the originating URL, maybe not.

But I will say this again as I did in an earlier blog once the FSU academic scandal came to light.  Online testing has to stop.  Testing should be done at all times in a controlled environment, under university supervision. 

Lastly, I would hope that the USF athletic department/football program is not held accountable for this misfortune, if it is found no one had knowledge of this. Where this story goes is anyone's guess right now.  Stay tuned.  We are.

Tom Korun