In the past year, scandals have hit the sports world in a variety of ways that have changed what sports are about.

Scandals are part of sports more than ever, from the Tiger Woods family situation, to the pay-for-play scheme to the point shaving incident during San Diego University basketball games.

All of these have shaped the way we look at sports and have made sports even more competitive than ever.

“The pay-for-play scheme is very interesting,” said UNA sophomore Christopher Reece.

“Some people believe it isn’t completely bad because they are trying to get it legalized, if I’m not mistaken. Compared to the Tiger Woods situation in relation to moral values, it isn’t nearly as bad,” Reece added.

The pay-for-play scheme of Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton, has been a huge controversy between Alabama and Auburn fans.

Cecil Newton allegedly shopped his son to play college football last fall. No word or decision has been made on the case, but eyebrows have been raised.

A more recent scandal has even costed one of the best college basketball coaches in the Southeastern Conference his job.

The former University of Tennessee head basketball coach Bruce Pearl admitted to violations that he lied about a photo that was taken of him and two recruits at Pearl’s home.

After admitting to the violations, he coached the rest of the season with no contract and was suspended for eight SEC basketball games.

“The cumulative effect of the evolution of the investigation combined with a number of more recent non-NCAA-related incidents have led to a belief that this staff cannot be viable at Tennessee in the future,” said Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, in a statement released by the University of Tennessee.

“Therefore, it is in the best interests of our institution to move in a different direction.”

Scandals and allegations are now part of sports. Coaches all across the country feel the pressure from fans and alumni about winning, making their jobs that much harder to keep without doing something against NCAA regulations.

“There are people out there that will do what it takes to keep their job, meaning they will do these things to keep a winning record,” said Reece. “It may happen more than we realize it, but since they are more popular, it comes out more.”