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Southern Virginia is penalized for paying players

no school will ever be perfect includng BYU, while it does bill itself as "serving the lds Community" i will take the position that whether you are a student or a teacher attending a college, you represent that school, to everyone who is not a member i believe of that body, Worse things have happened at BYU among the students, the truth is though that they are both great schools and every now and again they both get people who occasionally misrepresent the school in some way.

I am very familiar with this school,having two sons that just finished there.To say that it provides a UNIQUE educational experience is an understatement.The great faculty who TRULY care about the students is beyond price.Some people honestly objected to the existence of a football program at all,that the money could have been better spent,but I don't have a postion on that.I enjoyed the games I attended.I know there are really fine people of character involved in the program. I am just saddened by any black mark on this fine place,that has come so far from its shaky beginnings. As my sons go back to Iraq for a second time in two weeks,they take the foundation that was laid for them at SVU.That,combined with their experiences in Mexico (2 yrs.),helped them face-and reface the desert.They always think of the loving people and green mountains of Rockbridge County in that horrible,foreign land.

"Horrible, foreign land" is no doubt what Johnston's soldiers thought of the Utah desert when they marched "out there" to put down the Mormons and subject them to the law of the United States.

Is the Iraq situation really that much different? I hope the best for your sons. They obviously have a decent, caring parent, and have been raised with high principles and expectations. Hopefully that goodness follows them there and back.

void.

SVU is a good school, something just seems a little fishy now. This all happened back in March so why is it now showing up in the newpaper? Also, if a student athlete was paid as the article implies they knowingly broke the rules and students at SVU have been kicked out for something less then taking $4000. And knowing Coach Buer there is a lot more to this story. Coach Buer is not that stupid to pay student athletes. Also nothing has changed, SVU was not eligible for NAIA post season last year and they were not going to be eligible this year either. Please keep in mind that the faculty at SVU are top notch, the environment is second to none and the school continues to improve each year.

Iraq and the Utah war are vastly different. The "rebellion" that prompted Johnstons army being sent here didn't exist except as a fabrication on the part of corrupt federal officials. It is true that the people of Utah wanted to be left alone but given their previous expierence with the federal government's refusal to come to their aide it's not exactly surprising. The people of Utah didn't fire upon the army, no life was taken, and they were not blowing each other up either. In fact if you will recheck your history when it was all said and done many people welcomed the army's presence if only because it brought some hard currency into the area.

I think "horrible" is an appropriate word for a place where at any moment your neighbors might be setting off a bomb in hopes of blowing up you and your family.

Beyond both places having an arid climate there are no similarities.

It is showing up now because the ruling putting SVU on probation is what they are reporting, not the actual violations or reporting of the violations to the NAIA. I, too, attended SVU (back when it was SVC and had about 200 students)...interesting place and concept. I lasted a semester (I needed an environment that had more than half the student body living in one dormitory) but I am still friends with most of the people I met. For the student-athletes sake, I hope they bounce back and continue to provide a unique educational and athletic experience.

Coach Buer is a really good guy. Maybe the school should look into crooked tom longnecker as the real problem at SVU.

Bill: "The "rebellion" that prompted Johnstons army being sent here didn't exist except as a fabrication on the part of corrupt federal officials."

"Rebellion" vs "Terrorism": the difference seems more than a trite matter of jargon.

Have we already forgotten what got us over there in the first place? Let's be sensible, people. I'll agree we caused a mess that we're now responsible for staying and cleaning up--and our troops need our support in that endeavor, but please don't blame the next big Islamic terrorist strike in America fully on Osama and his kin. And please don't even think about tacking a bit of blame on Mr. Hussein.

One day not long ago Brother Brigham made this country a convenient boogy man and scapegoat for progressive violence.

void.

You ony have to look around the country to see that our young people and their leaders are being tempted from all corners - not all faculty and coaches at SVU are members of the LDS community, unlike BYU and it is that diversity that also makes them more vulnerable. I only wish that the $4000 had been offered up to a bright, dedicated, return missionary in the form of financial aid, and then maybe a single mother of 3 could have afforded to send her son back to such a wonderful, rich environment instead of having to choose between paying tution, and paying his mission expenses.
My son developed a love for the gospel at SVU that will forever shine brighter than any football scandal will ever tarnish.
SVU truly is a "light set on the hill for all to see", and the young people who attend SVU are second to none - even BYU would have to search it's halls far and wide to find better facutly and students than SVU has to offer.
I am so proud that my son had the opportunity to attend SVU prior to his mission, and will continue to be proud of our association with the Blue Ridge wonder for years to come.

Coach Buer is one of the finest men I know and Athletic Director Tom Longnecker is wrong to imply he is a man of low moral character. From what I know, this was not the huge controversy Longnecker wants you to believe. It was the end of a witch hunt started three years ago when Longnecker tried to fire Coach Buer for no reason at all. He won the appeal and kept his job, but when an honest mistake involving money and a player�s tuition came up, Longnecker saw his chance to get rid of Coach Buer. SVU �self-reported� the technical violation to the NAIA, even though SVU is not yet a member of the NAIA. My question is, how can they be subject to sanctions from the NAIA if they are not full members? The real problem here lies with that incompetent AD and the incompetent administration of SVU. How else can you explain the horrendous tuition costs charged for such a podunk little school, and how else can you explain why, after over 10 years, this �university� has yet to really get off the ground? You can call this a scandal if you want, but I call �em like I see �em. For some reason, Longnecker is just out to smear Coach Buer and ruin his reputation. This whole sorry situation has lost SVU this fan and his money.

As President of Southern Virginia University, I am well aware of all that transpired in this sad moment in our history. I can attest to the fact that this was not a witch hunt. I can also attest to the fact that both Gary Buer and Tom Longenecker are fine men. I actually initiated the process when I learned that students may have received money from Coach Buer, outside of our established financial aid process. When I learned of this, I took two steps: 1. I asked our athletic director, Tom Longenecker, to investigate; and 2. I arranged a meeting with Coach Buer. Coach Buer was, in keeping with his character, forthright and honest from the very beginning. He acknowledged the payments but indicated that he did not know that such payments violated NAIA rules. When he learned that they did, he offered to step down in the interests of the football program that he had founded. With the aid of a faculty committee, we commenced a formal investigation and reported our findings to the NAIA. Coach Buer founded a wonderful football program. He established captains of five, a program in which returned missionaries on the team worked with younger players. One of his captains was valedictorian of the class of 2006. Two of his players and one assistant coach have been baptized during the past year. We emphasize leadership and service, being leader-servants, at SVU, and the football program is designed around that mission. With Gary's cooperation, and the hard work of our new coach and the entire athletic department, under the leadership of Tom Longenecker, we have a record number of returnees and players on the team this year. I am sad this happened, but I am grateful for the men who have built the program.

I played for Coach Buer and was sorry to hear he had been dragged into this whole situation. Sure, he made a mistake (and, unlike the article indicates, I really don't think Coach Buer would jeopardize his career by "knowingly violating" these rules, or, as another comment indicated, "misrepresent" the school or the LDS church), but I wouldn't say these players were "paid" to play. No offense to my teammates, but no player that has gone to SVU is THAT good to receive money to play. This media release by SVU is malicious in its intent to destroy the character of a great man who made a very small mistake but invested so much into a poorly conceived and ill-supported football program. Maybe we should look into some of the stuff Longenecker put athletes through, such as, making players travel in personal cars to away games, providing pre-game meals from McDonalds (mmmmm...that one egg mcmuffin really hit the spot! Thanks Tom!), going to a "national" tournament when two other teams show up...Yeah, that's a REAL national championship under your belt. No wonder they have been able to win like 30+ "national championships" in the past 10 years. Ask any former athlete and they'll tell the truth. If you are a potential sponsor, save your money and go elsewhere. SVU is a great concept, but the administration is unable and unwilling to accept athletics for nothing more than increased enrollment for a poorly managed university. As an ex-alumnus and former player, I'm taking my money and energy to an institution that actually cares about its students and employees.

I attended SVU for my entire college career, and although I'm not an athlete I've always known Coach Buer to be a good and honest man. I trust President Smith's comment that he was forthright. This is indeed an unfortunate event and I have been truly disappointed to hear of it. But as a former student I know that this mistake cannot change the fact that the educational opportunities at this place are simply incomparable. The faculty-student relationship and atmosphere at this school cannot be beat. I have developed profound respect for the Professors who have taught and inspired me, LDS and non-LDS alike. As an institution SVU is far from perfect. It is a young thing and still fighting to establish itself. But look to the beginnings of great organizations such as the Mormon church or the founding of this nation and I assure you that even at the beginnings of great institutions there were unfortunate events and mistakes along the way. Those mistakes aren't justified, but a good thing is worth fighting for and supporting, and SVU has my unwavering support.

The money that those students "received" was from an outside contributor that went straight to the SVU business office as a donation earmarked to help pay the players tuition so they could continue their education and continue to play football. Something they might not have been able to do otherwise. No money changed hands with the players or Coach Buer. The school is not under NAIA jurisdiction so it appears that someone has an axe to grind against SVU and Coach Buer and are fabricating a story to do it.

I don't know if you can actually find an institution that cares more about its faculty and students. Before attending SVU I went to a college where the college president only gave me the light of the day because I was a reporter for the local daily paper. But at SVU students at any level of "power" in the school have been able to sit down with president Smith to discuss their concerns and get problems solved.

I disagree with the way this article makes Buer look like a bad guy who knowingly broke a rule. But I also disagree with everyone who tries to make Tom Longenecker look foul. I know from personal experience that he is not perfect. But I also know that he is faithful in the church. People who disagree with his job performance should discuss it with him and Pres. Smith, not defame his character.

It's already been mentioned that there has been opposition to the concept of establishing a football program at this stage of the University's development. Those sentiments were right on the money. A potentially great Liberal Arts University has become a frustrating Conservative Sports University, where deserving and successful programs struggle with modest salaries and mediocre resources, while the athletic teams also struggle, with sub standard support, when the focusing of resources may allow this institution to actually accomplish it's vision, rather than just giving some (no offense boys) generally mediocre athletes a few last years in the game.

So, this boil downs to improper booster funding? I wonder why the donor didn't want the money to be put into the development office.

You mean like Tom defamed Gary's character?

Anyone who goes on public record with personal, vindictive statements about Coach Buer, or anyone else for that matter, should be subject to the same scrutiny and embarrassment. This scandal illustrates that SVU is unwilling to accept personal responsibility for these events. I find it interesting that they force Buer to resign because of these allegations, but the University CLEARLY FAILED to teach, monitor, and test their coaches on all rules.

Doesn't that seem contradictory that one person will be forced into resignation while his superiors aren't even given a slap on the wrist? No one is judging Tom Longenecker's faithfulness as a member of the LDS church, just his inability to competently manage his position as athletic director. I believe that the administration should accept full responsibility for these sanctions. Maybe Smith and Longenecker should be forced to resign as well?

As superiors to Coach Buer, they failed to provide him the necessary tools to operate within the NAIA, or USCAA, or whichever national association they eventually decide to associate the university with. Clearly, these events are being unloaded onto one individual to take the embarrassment off of the university as they try to distance themselves from the "bad guy."

It really is interesting why President Smith would choose to allow a press release that is so insulting, damaging, and clearly untrue about Coach Buer to come out of his institution, yet find time to comment on deseretnews.com the supposed "facts" of the entire situation.

Let the truth be told, Coach Buer knew exactly what he was doing. President Smith and Tom Longenecker had no choice but to do what was done. I find it intresting that there is such a smear campaign going on against SVU and nobody is willing to hold the coach responsible. HE knew better. I remember when he told us if anyone goes against our football team then we should take them in a corner and beat them. Sounds like that is what is happening here.I know he paid those players with cash and checks for rent,and car payments. Sounds like the crook is Coach Buer. I know that President Smith and Tom Longenecker are men of honor and truly care about SVU. I think SVU is a special place and once they got rid of the men who were smearing the football program it will only get better. Let the truth be told.
Former Player