On October 22, 2013, the National Collegiate Athletics Association released information regarding an investigation conducted concerning the University of Miami. The NCAA report closes a challenging chapter in the history of the University of Miami. Through our honest and committed efforts to address these issues with integrity and transparency, we have only become stronger. As a proud member of the NCAA, the University of Miami remains committed to the integrity of our athletics program and to ensuring compliance with all NCAA rules.
Below is a summary of the violations found and the penalties both self-imposed and those imposed by the Committee on Infractions.
Summary of Violations
· Recruiting violations in our football program by a now former booster of our athletics program. Specifically, booster provided impermissible benefits or recruiting inducements from 2002-10. The benefits provided included meals, cash, lodging, transportation and entertainment.
· Extra benefits provided to football student-athletes from a now former booster of our athletics program. Specifically, from 2002-10 the booster provided impermissible benefits to then enrolled football student-athletes that included meals, cash, transportation and entertainment. In addition, for a three year period of this, the booster also worked for a sports agency and trigger NCAA agent legislation.
· The same former booster of our athletics program also provided supplemental pay to a former football and men’s basketball assistant coach. The supplemental pay was provided in the form of loans to assistant coaches. In addition, the booster provided a volunteer assistant coach with cash and meals.
· Impermissible benefits or recruiting inducements provided by former assistant football coaches to prospective student-athletes and the arranging of the provision of benefits to prospective student-athletes by the same former football coaches and the same former booster. The benefits included meals and transportation.
· Two former assistant football coaches were found to have violated NCAA unethical conduct legislation for their involvement in the provision of benefits, arranging for the provision of benefits and their provision of false and misleading information during the investigation.
· A former equipment staff room employee provided impermissible benefits to than enrolled football student-athletes and prospects. From 2004-11 the former equipment staff employee provided benefits to prospective football student-athletes and from 2007-11 he provided benefits to then currently enrolled football student-athletes. The benefits provided included meals, entertainment, transportation and football gear.
· Impermissible benefits and recruiting inducements provided by then currently enrolled student-athletes to prospective student-athletes in the sport of football. Specifically, in 2008 current football student-athletes provided benefits to prospects who were on unofficial or official visits.
· Recruiting violations in the institution’s men’s basketball program by the same now former booster of the athletics program and former assistant basketball coaches. Specifically, during the 2008-09 academic year former assistant men’s basketball provided transportation and entertainment to two high school coaches of a prospect Miami was recruiting. In addition, the two former assistant coaches introduced the high school coaches and nonscholastic coach to the former booster who in turn provided minimal benefits and engaged in recruiting activities.
· Former assistant men’s basketball coach was found to have violated NCAA unethical conduct legislation for his involvement in the violations.
· Former head men’s basketball coach’s failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance.
· From 2007 to 2010, Miami self discovered various text messaging and phone call violations within its athletics program. These violations were self reported to the NCAA. The violations included coaches in 11 sports programs.
· Miami was found to have failed to exercise institutional control and failed to monitor the administration of the football and men’s basketball programs based on the findings of violations committed during the 2002-10 academic years.
Summary of Penalties Imposed:
1. Self-imposed penalties
· Institution imposed a 2 year bowl ban (2011 and 2012), that included withholding from 2012 ACC Championship game
· Reduced number of official visits by 20% (2012-13)
· Reduced fall evaluations from 42 to 36 (2012-13)
· Reduction in available contact days by 20% (2013-14
2. Public reprimand
3. 3 years probation (10/22/13 through 10/21/16
4. Reduction of a total of 9 scholarships over 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 years in the sport of football
5. Reduction of 1 scholarship a year for 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 in the sport of men’s basketball
6. Limit of one complimentary admission to home athletics event for prospects on unofficial visits in the sport of football (for 2014-15 and 2015-16 years)
7. For text messaging violations penalty of $100 fine and suspension of coach from all recruiting activities for 7 days
8. Provide letter via mail to all prospects before coming on official visit (or if no official visit prior to signing NLI or financial aid agreement) outlining that Miami is on probation and listing all violations that occurred.
9. Publicize specific and understandable information concerning the nature of the infractions
