SC & NCAA Exchange Letters - It's Finally Over

The NCAA and The University of South Carolina have reached an agreement ...

FROM USC OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

The University of South Carolina Wednesday, August 24, released letters from the NCAA Committee on Infractions and USC President Andrew Sorensen concerning NCAA rules violations in the institutions's athletics program. Two letters and comments from current and former university officials are included in this document.

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LETTER FROM NCAA:

August 16, 2005

Dear President Sorensen:

This letter is in reference to the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions' review of University of South Carolina University's Summary Disposition Report.

The committee concurred that the university's investigation into the violations set forth in the report was thorough and complete. With respect to the penalties in this case, the committee adopted the sanctions that the university self-imposed, but the committee believed that additional sanctions were warranted. Specifically, and as is the practice in virtually all major infractions cases, the committee believes that the institution should be reprimanded and censured. The committee also believes that the following additional penalties are warranted:

1. An additional year of probation (for a total of three).
2. Because an element of academic fraud is involved in the case, the committee feels that the institution should forward a copy of the infractions report to its regional accrediting agency pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 19.5.2.7.
3. A four-year show cause provision as defined by Bylaw 19.5.2.2 (1) upon Mr. Tom Perry is appropriate in this matter.
Finally, the committee wishes to advise the university that the policies of both this committee and the Committee on Academic . Performance require that all reductions in financial aid awards are to be independent of any reductions necessitated by the Committee on Academic Performance.

Should the institution choose not to accept the additional suggested penalties in this matter, the university may participate in an expedited hearing in accordance with Bylaw 32.7 to explain why it believes these additional sanctions are not appropriate. Please notify Mr. James Elworth, the acting director of the Committees on Infractions, no later than August 31, 2005, of the university's decision with regard to this matter.

Sincerely, Josephine (Jo) R. Potuto
Richard H. Larson Professor of Constitutional Law and Vice-Chair, NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions

JRP:cad

cc: Mr. Mike Glazier
NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions
Selected NCAA Staff Members

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UNIVERSITY RESPONSE FROM PRESIDENT SORENSEN:

Re: University of South Carolina

Dear Mr. Elworth:

This is to respond to the letter from Josephine R. Potuto, Vice-Chair, NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions, dated August 16, 2005, regarding the Committee's review of the University of

South Carolina's Summary Disposition Report.

I am gratified both by the Committee's determination that the university's investigation was thorough and complete" and by its adoption of the sanctions the university self-imposed. The university further accepts the additional penalties suggested by the Committee and waives its right to request a hearing on this matter.

The university takes seriously its obligations as a NCAA member institution and shall continue to pursue with vigilance and honesty its goal of full compliance with all NCAA policies and procedures. The integrity of our athletics programs, and our institution, will never be compromised.

Sincerely yours,

Andrew A. Sorensen President

c: Mr. Michael Slive, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
Hon. Herbert C. Adams, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Mr. Eric A. Hyman, Director of Athletics
Dr. Russell R. Pate, Faculty Athletics Representative

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COMMENTS

We are gratified both by the Committee's determination that the university's investigation was thorough and complete, and by its adoption of the sanctions which we self-imposed. Further, we are accepting the additional penalties suggested by the NCAA, and we are waiving our right to request a hearing on this matter. Carolina takes seriously its obligation as a NCAA member institution, and we shall continue to pursue with vigilance and honesty our goal of full compliance with all NCAA policies and procedures.

Andrew Sorensen, President
University of South Carolina

As we stated previously, what took place in the past is regrettable. Today's announcement by the NCAA brings closure to this situation. We want to learn from what has transpired and, as we move forward, will work to ensure that our athletics department embodies the values and ethics that higher education represents.

Eric Hyman
USC Director of Athletics

I am pleased that the NCAA's Committee on Infractions has concurred with the University's Summary Disposition Report. I know we will learn from this experience and will make the changes needed to insure that we are fully compliant with all NCAA regulations in the future.

Russ Pate
USC NCAA Faculty Representative

We are satisfied with the results. We appreciate the NCAA basically agreeing with our proposal. For the next couple of years, we will only have 83 players on scholarship.

Steve Spurrier
USC Head Football Coach

We are thankful the NCAA accepted the university's summary disposition report, which given the NCAA's extensive investigation -- reaching back to the summer of 1999 -- uncovered a total of 5 matters not previously self-reported. While I understand the University's decision to accept the additional year of probation recommended by the Committee on Infractions, I question whether the additional year is related to the findings or the scholarship limitations in this case. I am confident that the previous decisive acts taken by the athletics department and university, as acknowledged by the NCAA, put the university in a solid position to ensure that the violations do not reoccur.

Michael B. McGee
Former Director of Athletics