NCAA alleges Oregon violated regulations
Published 5:04 pm Saturday, February 25, 2012
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — The NCAA is alleging Oregon violated the organization’s regulations in the way it used recruiting services over the past four years.
The accusations were contained in two documents, labeled “Proposed Findings of Violations,” obtained Friday in a public records request by several media outlets. While the documents use language that indicates the NCAA and the university agree to certain points, an athletic department spokesman says Oregon does not acknowledge any violations.
The NCAA has been looking into Oregon’s recruiting practices since questions arose over a 2010 payment of $25,000 to Willie Lyles and his Houston-based recruiting service. The information that Oregon said Lyles provided for the fee was largely outdated.
The draft, which is heavily redacted, suggests Oregon’s use of three scouting services did not conform with NCAA rules, and the Ducks exceeded the number of coaches allowed to recruit. The report concludes that Oregon didn’t adequately monitor its football program in relation to recruiting rules.
Oregon has not received a formal notice of allegations from the NCAA. The documents released Friday do not include any possible penalties.
In a letter to boosters on Friday, Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens said the draft document was part of the ongoing NCAA investigation.
“While we have no specific timetable on the inquiry, we remain in close communication with the NCAA as the process advances cooperatively through each stage. Currently, pursuant to the NCAA’s process, we are in constructive discussions with the NCAA on the draft of their proposed findings,” he said in the letter.
Mullens also said the school continues to work with outside counsel on an independent assessment of the program.
The NCAA will not comment on ongoing investigations.