Public Infraction Report
For Release After 10:00 p.m., CDT
Wednesday, June 7, 1978
Contact: David Pickle
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY REPRIMANDED BY NCAA
MISSION, KANS --Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) has been publicly reprimanded by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Committee on Infractions for violations of NCAA legislation occurring in the conduct of its intercollegiate football program during the 1973-74 and the 1974-75 academic years.
This action by the NCAA does not include sanctions and will not affect the university's eligibility for postseason football bowl games or television.
The case stems from an investigation of the university1s football pro-gram initiated by Ohio State in 1976 after a series of newspaper articles alleging various violations of NCAA legislation. Subsequent to the university's disclosure of the results of its investigation, the NCAA spent an additional one-year period completing its investigation of the university's football program.
"It is significant to note that although the NCAA conducted an extensive independent investigation in this case, the violations found by the committee were all self-disclosed by the university in its initial report to the NCAA in l976," said Arthur R. Reynolds, chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions. "In reviewing this case, the committee took into consideration the fact that information developed by the NCAA did not substantiate additional allegations, and that the violations found did not reflect a willful attempt to circumvent NCAA legislation.
Continuing, Reynolds stated: "In light of the nature and circumstances of this case, the committee did not believe additional action was warranted. Also, in making its public announcement, the committee wishes to emphasize the candor and cooperativeness of the university and its personnel in the processing of this case.
Following is a text of the penalty imposed upon the university and a summary of the violations and questionable practices by the university.
Penalty to be Imposed Upon Institution
1. Ohio State University shall be publicly reprimanded and censured, and admonished to avoid a recurrence of similar violations in the future.
Summary of Violations of NCAA Legislation and
Questionable Practices in Light of NCAA Requirements
1. NCAA Constitution 3-l-(g)-(5) [violation of the principles governing extra benefits to student-athletes] -- On various occasions during the l973-74 academic year, an assistant football coach loaned an automobile to a student-athlete for his own personal use at no cost to the young man.
2. NCAA Bylaws l-l-(a), l-7-(c) and l-7-(i)-(5) [violation of the provisions governing recruiting] -- During the l974-75 academic year, a representative of the university's athletic interests gave another individual cash to pay his room, board and automobile transportation expenses incurred to transport two prospective student-athletes to the university for their official paid visits; further, during his visit to the campus, this individual was provide meals at the expense of the university.
3. NCAA Bylaws l-l-(a), l-7-(i), l-7-(i)-(3) and l-7-(i)-(5) [violation of the provisions governing recruiting] -- During March l974, a representative of the university's athletic interests transported the mother of a prospective student-athlete cost free by automobile between her home and the university (approximately 150 miles one way) at the time she accompanied her son on his official paid visit; further, during the visit, the representative and his wife were provided meals at the expense of the university and an assistant football coach paid their lodging expenses.
4. NCAA Bylaws l-l-(a) and l-7-(i)-(5) [violation of the provisions governing recruiting] -- In January 1975, a representative of the university's athletic interests and a friend of a prospective student-athlete were provided meals at the expense of the university while accompanying prospective student-athletes on their official paid visits to the institution's campus.
5. NCAA Bylaw 4-6-(d) [questionable practice in light of NCAA requirements] -- At a time when certain practices of the university's intercollegiate football program were not in compliance with NCAA legislation, the chief executive officer of the university, based upon information provided by athletic department staff members and without intent to do so, erroneously certified on June 12, 1974, the university's compliance with NCAA legislation.
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