Ever heard the phrase, but everybody is doing it? Of course you have…

We all remember Jose Canseco telling reporters after he was busted for steroid use that majority of the guys in Major League Baseball are using performance enhancing drugs to get an edge.

Getting an edge… powerful words, don’t you think?

More and more professional, college and high school athletes are facing questions about their use of performance-enhancing drugs, grade tampering and eligibility requirements.

Just ask the highest paid coach in college basketball, John Calipari, or University of Memphis on the No.1 overall pick in the 2008 draft and current NBA rookie of the year, Derrick Rose.

The NCAA has raised questions as to whether a U of M basketball player – subsequently identified as Rose - cheated on the SAT to gain academic eligibility before the 2007-2008 season.

In addition, it has raised questions about travel issues related to an associate of a player. Some media have identified the mystery associate” as Reggie Rose, Derrick’s brother.

U of M was notified on Jan.16 of allegations regarding the men’s basketball and the women’s golf program. It is scheduled

to appear June 6 in Indianapolis before the NCAA committee on infractions to discuss three major rule violations. U of M athletic officials have rebutted the allegations and said they have not found any evidence of wrong-doing.

Come on Cal, again…

Calipari certainly has been no stranger to NCAA violations. After his 1995-1996 Final Four seasons at Massachusetts, it was discovered center Marcus Camby had accepted money and gifts from two sports agents. The NCAA forced U Mass to forfeit all 35 victories from that season and vacate its Final Four appearance and banner.

If the allegations are found to be true, that could take away the glow from the Memphis trio of all-time winningest players in college history: Robert Dozier, Antonio Anderson, and Chance McGrady.

“I feel bad for the 2007 team, especially Dozier, Anderson, and McGrady,” said Ann Powell, Fox 13 news Chyron operator and longtime Tigers fan. “I don’t understand why do dirt, because sooner or later it’s going to come to light.”

To get that edge, the things we do…

Memphis has a lot to lose: if the NCAA finds the allegations are true, it might vacate the university’s 38-win season and its Final Four appearance.

“If a team or coach wants something bad enough, he’ll find a way to get it,” said Memphis ’07 graduate, Marshall

Vaughn. “Big coaches are all doing it.”

It does make you think…

Just this year during the NCAA tournament the University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun was under

investigation for recruitment of former guard Nate Miles.

It was alleged that Miles was provided with lodging, transportation, restaurant meals and representation by Josh

Nochimson- a professional sports agent and former U Conn student manager between 2006 and 2008.

What ever happened to doing right, for the love of the game? Guess that went out the window when big money

got involved.

But let’s look on the bright side. This shouldn’t affect the current team, coached by Josh Pastner. They have a clean slate for the upcoming season and they should use it.