The ‘U’ Hit With NCAA Sanctions
24 Oct, 2013
The University of Miami-NCAA saga is over.
More than 2 1/2 years after former booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro contacted the NCAA from prison and began detailing his role in rampant rule-breaking by those involved with Miami’s football and men’s basketball programs, the Hurricanes got their final penalties. The most notable sanctions are the nine lost football scholarships over three years and one lost basketball scholarship in each of the next three seasons.
A three-year period of probation, which started Tuesday, and some recruiting restrictions are also part of the penance.
But for the first time since 2010, Miami’s football team – currently undefeated and ranked No. 7 nationally – will be heading to a bowl game.
“I want to sincerely thank our student-athletes and their families who, not only stood with the University of Miami during this unprecedented challenge, but subsequently volunteered for the mission,” Miami football coach Al Golden said in a statement released by school officials. “They shouldered the burden, exhibited class and exemplified perseverance for Hurricanes everywhere.”
Miami said in February that it would appeal any sanction beyond what it had already self-imposed. Over time, that stance softened, and the Hurricanes are accepting what the NCAA handed down.
The sheer size of the Miami investigation was unlike almost any other, with 18 general allegations of misconduct with 79 issues within those allegations, along with 118 interviews of 81 individuals by the NCAA’s count. The committee wanted to complete its work within eight weeks; it took more than 18 weeks between the end of the Miami hearing and the release of Tuesday’s decision, mainly because of the staggering amount of material that needed review.
The NCAA said Miami lacked “institutional control” when it came to monitoring Shapiro, a charge the school was hoping to avoid. “Many of Miami’s violations were undetected by the university over a 10-year period,” the NCAA wrote in the statement releasing Tuesday’s news.
Shapiro is serving a 20-year prison term for masterminding a $930 million Ponzi scheme.
AP
Mentioned In This Post:
