Wednesday, November 02, 2005
First the private jet, and now the Xbox. Oregon might have to eliminate another perk from the platter of goodies it presents to potential recruits. The Pacific-10 Conference issued a statement last week that entertainment equipment in locker rooms is considered excessive entertainment under NCAA rules and should not be allowed. Oregon is well known for having Xbox video game systems in its plush locker room. But the Pac-10 said such perks, if provided by the school, are against NCAA rules unless similar amenities are made available to all students. Oregon center Enoka Lucas -- a rabid fan of Xbox's signature game franchise, "Halo" -- said he was shocked to hear the conference would be cracking down on his locker room entertainment. He said he didn't understand what the big deal was if players had video games to play in their locker room. "We've worked so hard for it," Lucas said. Coach Mike Bellotti said such rules are aimed at innovative things UO has done in recruiting. Oregon in the past has used private jets to transport recruits and sent out comic books depicting recruits already playing for the Ducks. Such amenities no longer are allowed. UO sports information director Dave Williford said the Xbox game systems had not yet been removed from the locker room. He said the athletic department is looking into what exactly it must do to comply with the "excessive entertainment" language in the rule. Also, he said, department officials are looking into what's available on campus for other students. Oregon also has plasma televisions in its locker room. "We're trying to figure out what the definitions are," Williford said. Players do have a loophole: The new rule does not prohibit players from bringing their own Xbox systems into the locker room.
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