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MEAC
announces FAMU sanctions
July 22, 2004
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Commissioner
Dennis Thomas has announced that the Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference (MEAC) has levied substantial penalties against
Florida A & M University for violations of student-athlete
eligibility as reported in the institution’s self-report
submitted to the NCAA and the MEAC office on May 14, 2004.
According to the audited report, Florida A & M Athletic
teams allowed ineligible student-athletes to compete in athletic
contests from 1998-2003 in the sports of Baseball (2002,2003), Football (1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003), Men’s Swimming (2001,
2002), Women’s Swimming (2000, 2001), Women’s
Basketball (1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02), Softball (2002), Men’s
Outdoor Track & Field (1998, 1999, 2001), Women’s
Outdoor Track & Field (1998, 1999, 2000), Men’s
Indoor Track & Field (2002, 2003) and Volleyball (1999,
2000)
As a result, Florida A&M will lose all Championship
titles during the period in which ineligible student-athletes
participated and all contests will be classified as “no
contests”. “No Contest” means the game(s)
against Florida A & M did not count. Those teams who
finished tied with Florida A & M for the championships,
will be declared champion. Furthermore, the team(s) who finish
second to Florida A & M will be declared champion. Florida
A&M will also be responsible for reimbursing the MEAC
all revenue accumulated from winning the league’s All-Sports
Trophies, awarded to the institutions’ top women’s
athletic programs and top men’s athletic programs,
along with a $25,000 check. FAMU won the Mary McLeod Bethune
Award (women’s) from 1998-2001 and the Talmadge Layman
Hill Award (Men’s) in 1998, 2000 and 2002, which could
require them to pay back $175,000 to the MEAC.
There were 11 MEAC Championships won by Florida A&M
from 1998-2002. They include Football (2000, 2001), Men’s
Tennis (2000), Men’s Indoor Track & Field (2002),
Women’s Indoor Track & Field (1998, 1999, 2000),
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field (1998, 1999, 2000)
and Volleyball (1999). Florida A & M could face additional
penalties from the NCAA, who have not rendered a decision
at this time.
Also, Florida A & M, who rescinded there application
to the NCAA to be reclassified to Division I-A in Football,
has been reinstated to the MEAC in Football for the 2005
season and will compete for the championship in 2005.
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