Today, writers from the Daily Bruin and Daily Trojan debate the
suspension of ““ and controversy surrounding ““ UCLA
tailback DeShaun Foster  Arash Markazi
Markazi is the Daily Trojan sports editor, but he always makes time
to help Trojan athletes with their term papers. You may reach him
at (213) 740-5671 or by e-mail at [email protected].
It seems like everyone wants to know who ratted out UCLA
tailback and former Heisman Trophy candidate DeShaun Foster.
Ever since news reports surfaced this week that UCLA officials
believe the e-mailer who blew the whistle on Foster driving a fancy
new SUV has deep loyalties to USC, people at UCLA have been asking
me if I know who the evil perpetrator was.
While I have no idea who this person is, let me be the first to
congratulate him or her. He has done more to stop Foster than any
defensive line in the country this season.
I do think it’s interesting, however, that UCLA officials
seem to be concerned about the e-mailer’s reputed USC ties.
If I were them I would be more concerned about why my most valuable
player thinks it’s OK to drive a newly leased 2002 Ford
Expedition that isn’t his.
The “Fostergate” story gained some serious attention
when UCLA athletic director Peter Dalis’ golfing partner and
L.A. Times page 2 sports columnist T.J. Simers wrote that UCLA
sources claimed the e-mailer had Trojan ties.
Apparently Hollywood actor/director Eric Laneuville, who acted
in such great 1970s B-movies as “Black Belt Jones” and
“The Omega Man,” leased the Expedition and mentioned
during his discussions with the salesman that Foster would be
borrowing the car because Foster was having car problems. The
salesman mentioned this to a female associate ““ who UCLA
officials believe has USC ties ““ and she contacted the NCAA
about this possible infraction. Whether Laneuville has connections
to UCLA or a sports agent is still being investigated.
The whistle-blower did nothing to warrant criticism. Since when
has it been wrong to point out possible infractions to the NCAA?
And if the party in question happens to be the best player on your
crosstown rival’s team, that’s just the breaks.
Dalis didn’t seem to mind when UCLA insiders supposedly
leaked information about Marvin Simmons’ SATs, back when the
heavily recruited linebacker spurned UCLA for USC. Dalis has also
been an occasional leaky fountain of information himself, making
life miserable for UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin in the
process.
Why does UCLA think that USC is the root of all its problems?
The Bruins have always had automobile trouble in their athletic
department. From the NCAA investigating players driving fancy cars
to the infamous disabled-parking placards scandal, UCLA just
can’t seem to rid itself of automotive troubles. Maybe UCLA
football coach Bob Toledo should focus his recruiting trips on
Amish country.
But that’s beside the point. Isn’t the real crux of
the problem DeShaun himself? It seems like he’s always the
victim ““ always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A year before his current car issues, he was arrested. In July
2000, senior deputy Takeo Kingi of the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Department and his partner noticed a car parked with its lights on
while patrolling a hotel parking lot during a dance in Thousand
Oaks, Kingi said. The deputies discovered Foster inside with the
marijuana in plain view, Kingi said.
Foster pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession
charge although he said he’s never smoked the drug and was a
victim of circumstance.
Yeah, I’m sure he didn’t inhale. But Ventura County
court records show that he did pay a $250 fine after pleading
guilty Aug. 2.
Now I’m not saying that Foster smoked marijuana, but why
is Foster even putting himself in these situations?
This most recent case of being the victim is even worse ““
mainly because it’s so hard to believe that Foster
didn’t know what he was doing was wrong.
Even Toledo has a hard time believing it.
“I’m extremely disappointed,” he said.
“He knows what’s right and what’s wrong. He said
he’s very sorry. He didn’t realize it would be like
this.”
Unfortunately for Foster and UCLA, it is like this. No Heisman
Trophy candidates get to disregard the rules. So now USC
doesn’t have to worry about stopping Foster on Saturday. He
stopped himself.