[h1]NCAA will announce results of GT findings at 3 p.m.[/h1]
9:22 am July 14, 2011, by rcox
The NCAA will announce the results of an investigation into alleged violations committed by Georgia Tech’s football program at 3 p.m. today.
The alleged violations occurred within the football program within the past several years. An NCAA spokesman declined to say whether the nature of the violations are serious or minor because the NCAA doesn’t comment until investigatory finds are released. A phone conference is scheduled with Dennis Thomas, the chair of the NCAA’s infractions committee, for 3 p.m.
If there are immediate penalties, it would be the second time within five years the Jackets have been punished.
Tech learned in 2003 that it had been misapplying an NCAA eligibility rule and worked with the NCAA to investigate the nature and results of the error. They learned that 17 athletes, including 11 football players, who were academically ineligible were allowed to compete during the 1998 and ‘99 seasons.
As a result, Georgia Tech was on a two-year probation that resulted in self-imposed scholarship cuts (from 85 to 79) and a reduction in signing classes (from 25 to no more than 19) in 2005 and 2006. In addition to those penalties, the NCAA infractions committee added a limit of 79 total football scholarships for the 2006 and 2007 teams, six below the normal maximum.
The infractions committee also recommended that Tech vacate wins from seasons, 1998-2002, plus 2004, which were all winning seasons that ended in bowl trips. Tech appealed and the NCAA appeals committee agreed, allowing the results of those seasons to stand.
The NCAA has been in what appears to be a testy mood regarding alleged violations in wake of scandals at Ohio State, Southern California and North Carolina, among other places. The Trojans had to forfeit a national championship and the Buckeyes voluntarily forfeited their 2010 Sugar Bowl victory. Penalties against North Carolina’s program haven’t been announced. However, numerous players were suspended for all or parts of last season.
Please keep checking back for news.
– Doug Roberson, AJC. Follow on twitter @ajcgatech
