A devastating day.  ESPN Outside the Lines aired the audiotape conversation between Bernie Fine’s wife, Laurie, and his accuser, Bobby Davis.  A third accuser emerged. Bernie Fine was fired. Some started the clock on when Jim Boeheim would join him. Boeheim releases a well-worded statement agreeing with the decision to fire Bernie and apologizing for his initial comments.

The twists are coming faster than I can type. As I have previously written here, this entire situation hits close to home. My thoughts are like marbles spilt onto a hardwood floor – unbearably loud and impossible to corral. So as I work to gather them, here are some thoughts on this awful day…

Bernie Fine - There just doesn’t seem to be any plausible context in which the conversation between his wife Laurie and Bobby Davis does anything but bolster the allegations against Bernie. More is sure to come out but this is enough for now. Firing him was the right move. He is entitled to his day in court, but the court of public opinion may have already ruled.

Laurie Fine - The nonchalant manor in which she discussed such monstrous activities is crazy.

Head Coach Jim Boeheim – Based on the known facts, Boeheim should not be fired. His initial reaction to the allegations against Bernie Fine were bold. And with the release of the audiotape conversation between Laurie Fine and Davis, Boeheim’s remarks look very insensitive to say the least. But there is zero evidence thus far that Boeheim was aware of the alleged abuse. When those allegations against his friend of 50 years were made public, he acted as one would expect one to act in such a situation. Does that make it ok? No. Boeheim has and should continue to apologize – to Davis, to Lang, to victims of abuse. But does he deserve to be fired? No.

Syracuse Chancellor Nancy Cantor – Her letter to SU alumni was spot on. Her handling of this crisis has been flawless. She is working admirably to ensure justice is served and the integrity of the institution is maintained.

ESPN – Why was the audiotape not released with the initial report? Because they were waiting for the voice on the tape to be positively identified as that of Laurie Fine? Bullshit. They had eight years to do that. The worldwide leader seems to be more interested in ratings than it is in journalistic integrity.  There is surely more to come from this story. But we may have to wait until each Sunday morning to learn what.

ESPN’s Dana O’Neil – Why is she continuing with the false equivalency between Syracuse and Penn State? Our exchange on Twitter:

O’Neil: “It is unbelievable to witness how the alleged actions of two men can cause two powerful universities to crumble so swiftly.”

Me: @dgoneil1 How is Syracuse crumbling?

O’Neil: Pretty painful stuff there right now, no? RT @ottosarmydotcom: @dgoneil1 How is Syracuse crumbling?

Me: @dgoneil1 Very painful. But your comparison to PSU is once again unfounded. PSU failed as an institution. No evidence of that at ‘Cuse.

I’m sure I think and feel more. But no appetite to type it up. Feel free to share your sporadic thoughts, as well.