Bob Parks - Please Answer this about Boaz.

As running was under the jurisdiction of the IAAF(Intl amateur athletics federation) until 2001, when it became the Int'l association of athletics federations, all athletes competing for pay before the name change were/are amateurs even if they accepted money for competition. If I were an attorney that would be my defence. The IAAF, perhaps the most corrupt sports governing body in the world(IOC, don't get jealous of that title now!) can always be counted on to help out in the name of sleaze. Hey, didn't the IOC once ban "pro athletes?" Nobody seemed to care when the IOC gradually let "pros" into the games; why shouldn't the NCAA let them compete. Rules and regulations exist to make more money; when money can be made by changing the rules, the rules change.

As a foreign athlete I had to declare any winnings (including stupid things like towels) I had made in races and make a donation to that amount to a charity of my choice. However I did not declare everything or else I would be broke. I did not actively break the rules as I never knew I would eventually decide to come to an American University. I had no idea of the rules here which don't apply at Universities in my country. So I would say that of course Boaz has made money in the past but not to cheat the NCAA but because at the time he was completely oblivious to the rules (unlike an American who probably would know about these things well in advance.

Even if Boaz ran professionally as you claim, how would you expect Eastern Michigan to know? I believe that Boaz was planning to go to Butler first but couldn't get admitted there so he landed at Eastern. Obviously, Butler was planning on taking him too. As the foreigner above said, most athletes aren't about to admit it even if they took money. How can it be unethical if the college doesn't know? And everyone who keeps bitching about it, why don't you take your suspicions to the NCAA and see what they say? Also, do you really believe that there are NO Americans competing in college who have never taken money?

do you guys really think Boaz made that much money? how many of you have wished you could or did take that $100 at the local summer road race? but my point is, Boaz is not good enough to be a professional yet, not in track anyway, i mean 13:30, yeah that is good and kicks most americans butts, but do you know where that would put him on the world scene, i am not bashing boaz as i have great respect for him, but he is 1 in a 1000 in his country , so he is not going to get the contracts or big money like similar amercians do because they are the best in our country, and give up the thing about the EMU not having a compliance director, you really think the NCAA would allow that, why doesnt anyone comnplain about Kimani, cuz he hasnt won as much latley?? or the forignwers that butler has had, since boaz would ahve been there too, or any of the other schools, i think you are probably just mad at EMU because, 1) you are at a big name school getting your ass kicked by a "mid-major" schol in the supposedly ghetto that is ypsilanti(same damn town as ann arbor) or 2) you thought you were real good in higschool , and EMU didnt offer you any money, mostly cuz they dont have much, and you couldnt handle the idea of walking on and having to work for a long time to be good........so you went somewhere else, and , again , the green and gold kicks your butt, or 3) you are in the same conference, your coach doesnt give a shit, and you have realized that the chances of anyone ever winning the mac titles especially in track, besides EMU,is really small, so back to my original point, get off this money thing.......be glad you get the exposure to these kinds of athletes since 99% of us will never be able to go overseas to compete against them........good luck to EMU and CMU at districts and Nats.......

Whether you steal a pack of gum or a TV, it is still a crime. Get my point...

Agreed, as the saying goes "Ya can't get just a little pregnant" If he took the cash he took the cash, no in

between.

And how do you think Torres really feels?? He should have the opportunity to defend his title this fall!

Many people have stated that Boaz attempted to attend Butler. What they have failed to mention is the entire truth. Butler became aware of his previous professional ties and didn't want to take the risk. EMU has taken the risk and will most likely get away with it, due to the fact that our leagal system (NCAA or any governing body in the U.S.) is focused on money and a sub-categorized (based simply on lack of revenue) sport like XC doesn't make any. The principle is simple: No money made = No money spent (to determine one's compliance to rules).

you are wrong, Butler could not get him admitted as at the time it was thought that he only had one year of eligability. Nothing to do with earning money in Races. The point that was made earlier is correct Boaz is not good enough to get money in Europe. I ran below 14mins for 5K and know British and Spanish athletes who run these times and I assure you they earn no money. They are greatfull just to get into the races. As for Boaz, the meet directors limit the Kenyan runners in the distaces as they a couple of dozen who can run sub 13.10.

To answer another point EMU does have an NCAA compliance officer and always has. Infact they also have admissions people who deal just with athletes. So there background is always checked. Thay also have a foreign students department that have to check that a person is eligable to be in the US.

I'm sure that the people who keep making these accusations on various threads are the same people. So lets be brave, leave your name as it is easy to say these things when you can hide behind stupid names

To Dominic and Cross Hogg, I apologize. I was apparantly given false information and am thankfull that you cleared it up quickly. I am aspiring to be a coach and am quickly learning that guys like Boaz are potentially attainable recruits. My strong oppinons can, and will, change due to posts like yours. Thanks again

You are full of shit. Boaz did not go to Butler because he was no accepted since he originally only had one year of eligibility and they had to petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility. Butler did not want to take th risk of him only having one year (their admission rules regarding transfers in athletics).

If Boaz had done anything wrong, there was plaenty of opportunity to figure it out in his appeal to the NCAA and MAC for eligibility.

The only f***ers whinning about it are the pussy coaches of the MAC and the pussy coaches with guys that could have had a chance to have an individual champion if Boaz was not around.

Quit your f***ing whining you pussies!