ASU and four individuals previously associated with the football program have reached agreements with NCAA enforcement staff regarding recruiting violations, according to an April 19 NCAA announcement.
According to a press release, the agreed-upon violations include impermissible in-person contact with recruiters, solicitation of employment, impermissible tryouts, and tampering during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA Committee on Violations upheld the resolution between ASU and enforcement officials, ending the university's role in the investigation.
The NCAA's statement said ASU agreed it failed to monitor its football program.
“The COVID-19 dead period rules are not only for the sake of competitive fairness, but also for the safety and well-being of future and enrolled student-athletes and their families,” ASU President Michael Crowe said in a statement. “It was established in 2008.” “ASU is disappointed and embarrassed by the actions of some former football staff members who used the global pandemic to cover up their actions.”
Penalties in this case include four years of probation, fines, ASU self-imposed postseason suspension for the 2023 season, invalidation of records for contests in which ineligible student-athletes participated, and reduced scholarships. , including recruitment restrictions in line with the relaxed classification at Level I. . Level I classification is for the most serious conduct violations.
read more: ASU imposes self-imposed one-year suspension on football team from postseason
In addition to ASU's penalties, the university terminated its five-year relationship with the booster. ASU and the four will immediately begin enforcing the penalties.
“Arizona State's cooperation in the investigation and handling of this incident has been exemplary, and that cooperation began with the leadership shown by the University President,” said University of Oklahoma Executive Director of Athletic Compliance and Chair of the Committee on Violations Hearings Officer Jason Leonard said: announcement. “The school's decision to accept responsibility and impose meaningful core penalties on its own is a model for all schools to follow and is consistent with the expectations of the NCAA's offending programs.”
read more: ASU defends bowl self-regulation decision
The commission's final decision, which could list other potential violations and additional penalties, is still pending. The decision includes findings and penalties for two anonymous individuals who handled the case through written records.
Today's announcement comes after ASU addressed allegations of recruiting violations by former head coach Herm Edwards' staff. The recruiting scandal came to light after an anonymous former ASU staffer submitted evidence to the NCAA.
read more: Herm Edwards buys out 50% of his remaining salary, benefits and academic bonuses
Yahoo Sports reported that the alleged violation was committed by Antonio Pierce, a former associate head coach and current head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Mr. Pierce resigned in February 2022.
Former offensive coordinator Zach Hill and tight ends coach Adam Brenneman resigned last week over the incident. That same week, wide receivers coach Prentiss Gill and defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins were fired for cause.
ASU self-imposed a one-year bowl ban for the 2023 season in response to the scandal. The ban also affected head coach Kenny Dillingham's contract. His contract states that if the NCAA imposes a suspension, “ASU will request (the Arizona Board of Regents) to approve the coach's contract extension and provide additional Each year includes an increase in the coach's annual salary.” 100,000 dollars. ”
Crowe said ASU acted quickly to fully cooperate with the NCAA from start to finish. The University believes it has done everything possible to limit the penalties to those determined by the Violations Committee.
“From the level of penalties imposed and the committee’s comments, it is clear that ASU’s conduct during the investigation and its culture of compliance helped reduce the university’s penalties, which were undoubtedly significantly higher and We were able to reduce penalties that would have affected us for years,'' said ASU Senior Vice President and Interim Athletic Director James Lund.
Editing: Shane Brennan and Walker Smith
Editor's note: This story is in development and may be updated.
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