University of Wisconsin

Well, the preseason favorite to win the elusive King of All Tarnish fell a little short of the big stain. While definitely the largest, most publicized scandal of the Year 2000, Wisconsin's Shoe Sins were met properly with suspensions from the coaching staff, which may have hurt them in a tough early season schedule. However, the saga isn't over for the Badgers.

An internal University investigation into the incidents will continue until the end of December, attempting to assess if University officials knew or should have known about UW athletes receiving discounted merchandise. This report must then be turned over to the NCAA, which will then determine what punishments (if any) UW will receive.

Since July, the internal UW probe has found that 121 athletes improperly accepted unadvertised discounts or credit arrangements not generally given to other students at the Shoe Box, an athletic store owned by Steve Schmitt, a Wisconsin booster. Reports indicate that the discounted amounts range in the thousands of dollars.

Schmitt claims that his slashed sneakers aren't just for those suited up in Badger Red. "I don't know why I should (change my way of doing business)," he said. "If the athlete doesn't get a discount like the next guy does, then I'd lose him." Apparently, on this theory, anyone with a burning desire for new shoes should make tracks for Black Earth.

Nevertheless, as UW backers nervously await the end of the internal probe and the NCAA recommendations, the shadows of Tarnish lie thick over Camp Randall. For taking headlines all year, Wisconsin secures themselves in the Top 5. If sanctions become necessary, look out next year as the Badgers may burrow all the way to Number One!