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Sports gambling topic of discussion Members of the FBI and a former Northwestern football player were the featured speakers at "Gambling Awareness", the first in a three-part speaker series at GMU. By Annie Joyce Broadside Correspondent The first seminar in the 1998 Sports Speakers Series co-sponsored by the GMU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Melzer and Associates began Tuesday at the Center for the Arts. Four special agents in the FBI presented information on the growing problem of gambling on sports on college campuses in in the first of three lectures in "A Catharsis in Athletics: Competition to Character." The NCAA united with the FBI to focus on the explosiveness of gambling on college campuses and the risks it can have on those who participate in gambling. John Barrett, Jr who is the Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division of the Washington Field Office of the FBI, began the presentation discussing the issue at hand. "This can happen to cross-sections of America. It can happen to the best of us. It can happen to the worst of us but it does have an impact," said Barrett. Ed Shubert is the assistant special agent in Charge. He also played professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets and was a participant in the seminar. Edward McCormack, a Special Agent in the FBI, expressed the reasons for which students get involved in gambling. He stated that the students do not see betting as harmful and always believe that they will win a large amount of money, which becomes very unlikely. He also explained how gambling is thought to be as much a part of the college experience as is underage drinking. McCormick explained how gambling happens in dormitory rooms, locker rooms and at frat houses. The FBI wants to educate college athletes on the consequences gambling can have on them. Athletes are in danger of suspension, expulsion and losing their eligibility to play. During the NCAA March Madness games this year CBS aired a segment on gambling and their "Don't Bet On It" campaign. A speech was given to every team in the Final Four on the topic of illegal gambling. This topic was brought to attention in April of this year when two former Northwestern University athletes were suspected of gambling. Brian Bellarini, a former football player for Northwestern and Dewy Williams, a Wildcat basketball player were suspected of point-shaving. Bellarini attended the seminar at GMU to explain his story and the problems that can occur because of gambling. When the alleged gambling scandal was discovered and examined, Bellarini was expelled with one semester to graduate at Northwestern. His addiction of gambling began his sophomore year. Due to a knee injury, Bellarini had to sit out of games and began to gamble an average bet of about $50. In his Junior year he began personally making bets through a bookie and later became a bookie himself. He would also take bets of around $500 to $700. His senior year he placed bets on his own, with amounts climbing to as much as $3,000 per weekend. On a single game he would bet $1000. Credit cards were very accessible being a college student which aided Bellarini in acquiring money to make his bets. In 1994, Northwestern learned of the gambling and an internal investigation was organized. The FBI was later told of the investigation and made an investigation of their own. Bellarini was charged with two counts of extortion and one of in-state gambling, which he later plead guilty to. "Trust me. I'm living proof that anyone is capable of getting caught," expresses Bellarini. He also explained how he had lost any respect people may have had for him and the embarrassment he has caused his family. Bellarini was kicked out of school because of his illegal gambling and lost two of his best friends. It has been over a year since Bellarini has gambled on a sporting event. The next in this series is on Oct.29 at 7 p.m. with the topic being "Character in athletics." Annie Joyce can be reached at ajoyce@gmu.edu |
 Andy Woodall-Broadside Special Agent John Barrett of the FBI spoke to an audience at the GMU Center for the Arts Tuesday on gambling on sports and the consequences that may follow. |