Were college athletes always paid?

Over the years, there has been speculation that many standout basketball and football athletes were paid along their way to guiding their team to a championship. We all have had our thoughts about athletes who may have received an envelope from someone or in the mail. If you’re a Penn State or Notre Dame fan, you have heard the accusations.

However, there have been several cases that have proved the point, notably in basketball point-shaving cases.

Today, the acronym NIL (name, image, likeness) is at the forefront of college basketball and football — it also has trickled down to other sports — and has allowed athletes to shop their talents to the highest bidders.

In this edition of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll look at some college dishonors, as well as some tidbits from the past and present.

Finally … how was “Goodfellas” involved in a scandal? What former Eagle got into trouble at Ohio State? Who was “Good Ol’ Mr. Wilson,” and John Poff?

And do you have a former Phillies’ item from the 60s and 70s? Also, where have you gone, Captain Lou?

Watch The Line ... Over the years, the college basketball world has been rocked by a series of point-shaving scandals.

The most recognizable was the CCNY one — Long Island University and New York University were also involved — that involved many players during the 1950-51 season.

In 1961, there was another college incident that occurred, and 37 college players were arrested from 22 different colleges.

There also was the 1994 Arizona State fixing that highlighted star guard Stevin “Hedake” Smith, who spearheaded the effort.

One that may have slipped through the cracks was the Toledo incident in 2015 that involved both the basketball and football teams.

In addition, referee Tim Donaghy was found guilty of betting and fixing NBA games from 2003-07.

Goodfellas ... For most of us reading this, we may relate better to the 1978-79 Boston College scandal that again involved players Ernie Cobb, Jim Sweeney and also Richard Kuhn — the lone player who did jail time with a 10-year sentence.

Former Lafayette head men’s coach Tom Davis, who served the Leopards from 1971-77, was their head coach. Davis testified that he didn’t have any inkling of the issue and wasn’t charged.

However, the real twist to this story is how the movie “Goodfellas” is a part.

Henry Hill, who was played by the late Ray Liotta in the film, was the informant after his involvement, and Hill’s testimony led to the arrest of New York mobster Jimmy Burke, who was played by Robert Deniro.

Kuhn just passed away at the age of 69.

The Hawk and the Pacer ... ABA stars Connie Hawkins and Roger Brown were at the forefront of college stains, both expelled in 1960.

Hawkins was dismissed from the University of Iowa when he received a $200 loan and allegedly participated in point shaving. Brown was expelled from Dayton for taking cash.

In 1969, Hawkins won a lawsuit over the NBA to clear his name and joined the Phoenix Suns in his reinstatement. After he had to leave Iowa, Hawkins played for the ABL Pittsburgh Rens and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Brown played for Dayton’s amateur leagues before he joined the ABA’s Indiana Pacers in 1967, where he became a four-time all-star and three-time ABA champion.

A Fallen Eagle ... Former Eagles’ wide receiver Cris Carter was ruled ineligible for his senior season at Ohio State after he signed a contract with agent Norby Walters, who also signed Temple’s Paul Palmer and Purdue’s Rod Woodson.

Carter was chosen by the Eagles in the 1987 supplemental draft and flourished. He had a team-high 45 catches in 1989, but his alcohol and drug abuse led to his release after the season.

A TV Line ... Speaking of lines, do you remember the TV show, “What’s My Line?” I remember it from the early 70s with panel members such as Arlene Francis, Soupy Sales, Anita Gilette and Gene Rayburn to name a few.

The highlight of the show was the mystery guest at the end. It featured a well-known personality. The show’s first mystery guest was former Yankee shortstop and announcer Phil Rizzuto.

“Good ‘Ol Mr. Wilson” ... Jay North, who was the star of “Dennis the Menace” recently passed away at the age of 73.

It was a popular show for kids that ran from 1959-63 on CBS. You may have forgotten that it was on Sunday night before the “Ed Sullivan Show” and preceded “Lassie.” CBS was looking for a filler when “Leave It To Beaver” moved to ABC, and had a successful pilot episode title “Dennis Goes to the Movies” that helped launch the series.

Aside from Dennis, the most popular character was “Good Ol’ Mr. Wilson” — Dennis’ favorite saying — referring to neighbor George Wilson, who was originally portrayed by Joseph Kearns, who was perfect in his role as one who was always bothered by Dennis.

After Kearns suddenly passed away, Gayle Gordon took over the role for the final year. To me, Gordon will always be “Mr. Mooney” from the “Lucy” series.

In 1993, the film “Dennis the Menace” was released, but wasn’t a box-office smash. Mason Gamble played Dennis, and Walter Matthau played Mr. Wilson.

Another Classic Game (Item) ... Fellow scribe Rod Heckman recently sent a photo of his vintage batting helmets we had as kids.

I remember having Phillies, Pirates and Mets helmets, and the adjustable strap inside the helmet to adjust it to your head side.

My friends, cousins and myself would wear them when we played running bases with a hard ball, and also in my wiffle ball games in my backyard.

It brought back a lot of memories, and I may have to purchase a few.

Do you have any, and what are your memories?

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... Each week, I’ll look back on a pro wrestler from our youth.

Do you remember captain Lou Albano? He will be remembered by most of us as a manager, but Albano had an individual wrestling career that began in 1953, and wrestled sporadically until 1997.

Born in Italy, Albano and his family migrated to upstate New York, where he became a high school football and track star, becoming a captain of his football team and gaining the nickname “captain.” Albano had 32 football scholarship offers and accepted one to Tennessee, where he played with former Browns’ head coach Sam Rutigliano. However, he was expelled From Tennessee for cheating on a final exam.

Albano, who had a 207-504-29 record as a wrestler, teamed with Tony Altimore to win the WWWF Tag-Team championship in 1967. As a wrestler, Albano was trained by Arnold Skaaland, who was Bruno Sammartino’s manager.

In the 70s, Albano managed numerous tag-teams and his champion teams were the Valiant Brothers, the Wild Samoans, the Yukon Lumberjacks, the Blackjacks, the Moondogs and the U.S. Express. He also managed Ivan Koloff, who defeated Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1971.

Albano also had a film career and was seen in numerous Cyndi Lauper music videos, often portraying her father. Among the most viewed and most recognizable one is Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

Albano passed away from a heart attack at age 76 in 2009.

Memory Lane ... Every week, I’ll look back at a former player, manager, coach or media personality.

Do you remember ex-Phillie John Poff?

The left-handed hitting Poff had a cup of coffee with the Phillies and Brewers in the majors, but before that had a stellar minor-league career.

Poff was signed after a collegiate career at Duke, and began in the Phils’ minor league system in 1974. He caught the eye of then manager Dallas Green after two strong seasons at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 1978 and 1979.

In 1978, Poff hit .301 with 20 homers and 79 RBIs, and followed that with a .293, 20-homer, 93-RBI campaign.

Poff was elevated to the Phils in late 1979 as a September call-up, and hit just .105 in 12 games. He was placed on waivers at the end of the season, and picked up by the Brewers. In one season there, Poff hit .250 in 19 games. He was then traded to the White Sox in 1981.

Overall, Poff hit .218 in 31 games. His last season was with Triple-A Edmonton — the White Sox affiliate — where he hit .278 with nine homers and 53 RBIs.

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com