Sept. 29, 2011
The NCAA today released a report from its Committee on Infractions detailing a major violation in the University of Cincinnati's women's basketball program and secondary violations in UC women's basketball and football programs. The violations involved former and current coaches at UC. The violations were discovered by the UC athletics compliance department and self-reported to the NCAA. In turn, the NCAA has accepted a slate of self-imposed sanctions by UC.
"The NCAA today has released a report from its Committee on Infractions that detailed violations involving impermissible recruiting phone calls made by coaching staff members here at UC - violations that UC self-discovered and self-reported to the NCAA as soon as they came to light due to the diligence of our athletics compliance department," said UC President Dr. Gregory H. Williams. "I want to recognize Interim Director of Athletics Bob Arkeilpane and Associate Director of Athletics Maggie McKinleyfor their hard work in identifying the problems and working with me and the NCAA to take appropriate action. Most of the corrective items, which were largely based on our university recommendations, have already been implemented, including the termination of a women's basketball assistant coach. I am grateful that the NCAA has recognized UC for being fully cooperative, forthright and proactive in handling this issue.
"It is the university's policy to follow ethical practices and adhere to the rules of the NCAA. In this or any NCAA compliance matter, I expect UC to be up front, honest and accountable. I want to express my thanks to the NCAA Committee on Infractions for its consideration of our case."
UC's compliance staff found records of the impermissible phone calls during the regular audit of phone records. Immediately following the discovery, UC made a report to the NCAA and a women's basketball assistant coach was terminated. UC worked closely with the Committee on Infractions and was complimented for its cooperation in the case.
For more information, see the report of the NCAA Committee on Infractions. The NCAA's press release if available here and the committee's letter to President Williams is here.
