UCF Hit With Sanctions By NCAA

Orlando Sentinel

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-31/sports/os-ucf-ncaa-sanctions-0801_1_chicago-resident-ken-caldwell-director-keith-tribble-ucf-football

The NCAA hammered UCF with hefty sanctions Tuesday morning following its investigation of major recruiting infractions within the football and men’s basketball programs.

UCF was cited for the dreaded “lack of institutional control,” triggering a series of stringent sanctions.

The Knights were hit with a one-year postseason ban in football and men’s basketball. UCF was  fined $50,000 and placed on five years probation. Former UCF athletic Director Keith Tribble and UCF men’s basketball coach Donnie Jones were given three-year “show cause” penalties, while former receivers coach David Kelly was hit with a one-year “show cause” penalty.

The “show cause” penalty means an NCAA school must prove Tribble, Jones and Kelly will comply with NCAA rules and accept any probation sanctions linked to them. The penalty makes it extremely difficult to land a job at a new school.

The postseason ban means the promising football and men’s basketball programs are not be eligible to compete in the Conference USA men’s basketball tournament or the C-USA football championship game. Players most likely would be free to transfer to other schools without having to sit out the upcoming season.

NCAA leaders are holding a teleconference at 11 a.m. to discuss its decision. UCF has not set a time to address the NCAA findings.

The school can appeal the Committee on Infractions’ decision.

The Knights are classified as a repeat offender because the football program was already on probation for impermissible phone contact with recruits.

UCF self imposed a long list of penalties recommended by former NCAA investigator Michael Glazier with the hope of avoiding more stringent sanctions.

The NCAA first began investigating UCF recruiting practices in April 2011. Its investigators alleged Chicago resident Ken Caldwell, who mentored a variety of football and basketball high school athletes, was working with a professional agent and helped steer recruits to UCF.

Investigators determined Caldwell provided 11 UCF football and men’s basketball recruits $16,005.74 worth of benefits starting in March 2009.

Investigators also suggested Keith Tribble tried to arrange a job for the mother of a UCF football recruit, helped Caldwell’s son receive a waiver for in-state tuition and provided free game tickets to Caldwell.

Kelly and Tribble were accused of violating the NCAA principles of ethical conduct, charges they both deny. UCF President John Hitt asked Tribble and Kelly to resign in November. He also suspended Jones for three Conference USA games and gave football coach George O’Leary a letter of reprimand for allowing the violations to take place within their programs.