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Howard
Gets Reduced Probationationary Period from NCAA
July 15, 2002
INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee
has reduced the period of probation against Howard University
from five years to three. The university's probationary period
will end November 27, 2004.
The Division I Committee on Infractions issued the findings
and penalties on November 27, 2001. The case involved the baseball,
men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's swimming programs,
specifically violation of bylaws governing recruiting, extra benefits,
academic eligibility, academic fraud, ethical conduct and a lack
of institutional control.
Howard appealed the five-year probation because it believed
the Committee on Infractions failed to give adequate consideration
to what it called "the mitigating factor of exemplary institutional
cooperation" when determining the length of the probationary period.
The University conducted an extensive and comprehensive investigation
of its own, which first revealed most of the violations for which
it was being penalized.
The Infractions Appeals Committee concluded that the factor
of institutional cooperation was not properly weighed and the
maximum penalty of five years probation was excessive and inappropriate.
The committee cited a previous appeal involving the University
of Mississippi in which it set forth factors to determine whether
a penalty is excessive or inappropriate. In that case, the committee
stated, "where an institution fully accepts its membership obligations
and makes every effort to participate and assist the enforcement
process, its conduct must be a significant factor in determining
and imposing penalties. Failure to accord such cooperation substantial
weight in determining penalties would be a disincentive to the
fullest possible institutional cooperation."
President H. Patrick Swygert thanked the NCAA's Appeals Committee
for agreeing with the University's position and added, "The University
is most appreciative of the consideration of the Infractions Appeals
Committee and is pleased that the Committee acknowledged the quality
and diligence of the University's investigation and cooperation
with the NCAA. We had confidence that the appeal process would
result in the fairness that was warranted by the circumstances.
Howard runs an exceptional athletics program, and we look forward
to continuing our great tradition."
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