wildstangs
02-12-2009, 03:28 PM
NCAA hits ACU for track & field, football infractions
By Joey Richards/richardsj@reporternews.com
Originally published 02:00 p.m., February 12, 2009
Updated 02:00 p.m., February 12, 2009
Abilene Christian University was penalized by the NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions today for major rules violations in the football and track and field programs.
Most of the violations occurred in the track and field program, but the football team also was hit for violations. Penalties for the violations, including those self-imposed by the university, include two years probation, vacating records, recruiting restrictions, athletic scholarship reductions and a financial penalty.
According to an NCAA news release, ACU head track and field coach Don Hood committed most of the violations, including inducements to recruits. One such inducement included a cash payment of $545 by someone representing the university and another for signing for lease.
The NCAA also ruled that the football coaching staff provided academic assistance to two prospective recruits in helping them gain NCAA academic eligibility at ACU, among other violations.
The penalties, some of which were self-imposed by the institution and adopted by the committee, are as follows:
- Public reprimand and censure.
- Two years of probation (Feb. 12, 2009, to Feb. 11, 2011).
- The university shall vacate all wins for the football program for the games in which the student-athletes receiving academic assistance competed from the time they became ineligible in the summer of 2007 through the point where they were reinstated by the NCAA. The vacation shall apply to all regular season, any post-season conference or NCAA football championship. Additionally, the university’s records regarding football, as well as the record of the head coach at the time the vacated contests were played, will be reconfigured. This vacation will be recorded in all publications in which football records are reported, including, but not limited to, media guides, recruiting material, electronic media and institutional and NCAA archives. Any public reference to these vacated contests should be removed from the athletics department stationary, banners displayed in public areas and any other forum in which they may appear.
- Reduction in men’s and women’s track and field scholarships to 10.5 (from 12.6) in each sport during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years. (Self-imposed by the university.)
- Track and field head coach may not recruit off campus more than 12 days during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years. (Self-imposed by the university.)
- Reduction in official visits for men’s track and field program. For the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years, there may not be more than 21 official paid visits. Ten official visits may be taken in one academic year and 11 may be taken in the other at the university’s discretion.
- Reduction in official visits for the women’s track and field program. For the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years, there may not be more than 23 official paid visits. Eleven official visits may be taken in one academic year and 12 may be taken in the other at the university’s discretion.
- For the sport of football, there cannot be more than 60 official paid visits during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.
- Limit of five international student-athletes on the roster of any athletics team during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years. (Self-imposed by the university.)
- University must pay a fine of $2,500
- Select members of the track and field and football coaching staff must attend an NCAA Regional Rules Seminar within the first year of probation.
By Joey Richards/richardsj@reporternews.com
Originally published 02:00 p.m., February 12, 2009
Updated 02:00 p.m., February 12, 2009
Abilene Christian University was penalized by the NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions today for major rules violations in the football and track and field programs.
Most of the violations occurred in the track and field program, but the football team also was hit for violations. Penalties for the violations, including those self-imposed by the university, include two years probation, vacating records, recruiting restrictions, athletic scholarship reductions and a financial penalty.
According to an NCAA news release, ACU head track and field coach Don Hood committed most of the violations, including inducements to recruits. One such inducement included a cash payment of $545 by someone representing the university and another for signing for lease.
The NCAA also ruled that the football coaching staff provided academic assistance to two prospective recruits in helping them gain NCAA academic eligibility at ACU, among other violations.
The penalties, some of which were self-imposed by the institution and adopted by the committee, are as follows:
- Public reprimand and censure.
- Two years of probation (Feb. 12, 2009, to Feb. 11, 2011).
- The university shall vacate all wins for the football program for the games in which the student-athletes receiving academic assistance competed from the time they became ineligible in the summer of 2007 through the point where they were reinstated by the NCAA. The vacation shall apply to all regular season, any post-season conference or NCAA football championship. Additionally, the university’s records regarding football, as well as the record of the head coach at the time the vacated contests were played, will be reconfigured. This vacation will be recorded in all publications in which football records are reported, including, but not limited to, media guides, recruiting material, electronic media and institutional and NCAA archives. Any public reference to these vacated contests should be removed from the athletics department stationary, banners displayed in public areas and any other forum in which they may appear.
- Reduction in men’s and women’s track and field scholarships to 10.5 (from 12.6) in each sport during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years. (Self-imposed by the university.)
- Track and field head coach may not recruit off campus more than 12 days during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years. (Self-imposed by the university.)
- Reduction in official visits for men’s track and field program. For the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years, there may not be more than 21 official paid visits. Ten official visits may be taken in one academic year and 11 may be taken in the other at the university’s discretion.
- Reduction in official visits for the women’s track and field program. For the 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years, there may not be more than 23 official paid visits. Eleven official visits may be taken in one academic year and 12 may be taken in the other at the university’s discretion.
- For the sport of football, there cannot be more than 60 official paid visits during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.
- Limit of five international student-athletes on the roster of any athletics team during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years. (Self-imposed by the university.)
- University must pay a fine of $2,500
- Select members of the track and field and football coaching staff must attend an NCAA Regional Rules Seminar within the first year of probation.