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Friday, December 13, 2002
Clemson cuts two scholarships for 2002 season
Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Tommy Bowden wants the Tigers
to make winning -- not NCAA investigation -- a habit.
"The integrity of this university, our team and my good name
are of paramount importance. They will not be compromised," said
Bowden after the school took away two scholarships and froze an
assistant's salary for several NCAA secondary violations that took
place since January.
The school released its compliance report Wednesday through a
Freedom of Information Act request by The Associated Press and
several other media outlets.
It is the first NCAA black eye since Bowden took control in
December 1998.
Bowden was not named in any violation, according to athletic
director Bobby Robinson.
"We intend to win and win with integrity," Bowden said. "I
will tolerate nothing less."
Robinson would not name the assistant or others involved.
It is widely thought Gaffney High prospects linebacker Roger
McIntosh and defensive lineman Jeff Littlejohn were those in the
report. The two had first committed to Clemson but signed with
Miami in February.
NCAA investigators were at the high school in October to discuss
possible recruiting violations. University President James Barker
referred to the Gaffney investigation earlier this month in a
letter updating staff and supporters about the inquiry's status.
Several documents in the university's report dealt with Gaffney
High School.
The report had all names and identifying facts blacked out. It
cited several violations in the past year, including:
Improper conduct by an assistant coach and a booster during a
recruiting "quiet period" when they had lunch with prospects at a
local restaurant.
A $1,300 loan by a booster to pay for a limousine students
used for a high school prom. The family paid the money back a week
later.
A booster allowing the students to use his boat.
Clemson's scholarships will be reduced from 85 to 83 in 2002 and
the assistant will be ineligible for a raise or bowl bonus until
Sept. 1, 2002. The assistant also attended a rules seminar at his
own expense and cannot recruit off-campus until Feb. 6.
The booster won't be allowed around Clemson's athletic program
for at least a year.
The specter of NCAA sanctions raised old fears in some Clemson
followers, who remember when the program was on probation in 1983
and 1984 under coach Danny Ford . But the NCAA enforcement staff
seems to agree with Clemson's sanctions.
"The university has taken meaningful corrective action and
imposed significant penalties on its football program," said an
NCAA memorandum sent to school President Jim Barker.
Clemson's compliance report goes to the NCAA, which could fully
accept the school's penalties or impose stiffer sanctions.
The NCAA's report, prepared by enforcement representative Jim
Elworth, said the violations "were isolated and yielded very
little, if any recruiting advantage."
Robinson felt the penalties were appropriate and proved
Clemson's diligence.
"I think this shows our compliance process is working,"
Robinson said. "It shows we've got to be ever vigilant about this
because anything can happen at any time."
Two other recruiting incidents involved the school providing an
impermissible snack during one January weekend and providing
refreshments for parents during a drop-in -- both against NCAA
rules.
The staffer involved was made to pay his own way to a rules
seminar.
In addition, Clemson fans interacted with a prospect outside the
football stadium. The school penalized itself by reducing its
official visits for 2001-2002 to 42. The Tigers average 45 visits
per year.
The university will take several more steps to make coaches,
staffers and boosters aware of NCAA rules. The football staff will
take a special rules education session and the athletic department
will create a compliance Web site. All members of IPTAY, the
school's athletic booster organization, will get a letter reminding
them to follow NCAA rules.
Bowden wants the matter behind him so the program can keep its
momentum.
"President Barker and Bobby Robinson have assured me they like
the direction the football program is headed," the coach said.
"We are eager to move on and get ready for the season."
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