NCAA Puts Minnesota Hoops on Probation

M I N N E A P O L I S, Oct. 24 -- The Minnesota men’s basketball program wasplaced on four years probation and stripped of five scholarshipstoday for what the NCAA termed “academic fraud” and some of“the most serious” rules violations in two decades.

The Golden Gophers will not be banned from another year ofpostseason play, although that was “seriously considered,”according to an NCAA news release obtained by The Associated Press.

University officials had hoped to avoid such a ban.

In addition, three former university employees, including formercoach Clem Haskins, will have to come before the NCAA infractionscommittee if they want to return to college sports. For Haskins,that “show cause” period is seven years.

The scholarship reduction is spread over three years.

The committee agreed with the university’s conclusions that from1994 to 1998, a former tutor did some 400 pieces of coursework forat least 18 men’s basketball student-athletes.

“The violations were significant, widespread and intentional,”the NCAA said in its release. “More than that, their nature —academic fraud — undermined the bedrock foundation of a universityand the operation of its intercollegiate athletics program.”

The punishment from the NCAA was first reported Monday night bythe Saint Paul Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune of Minneapolis,and later confirmed to the AP by a school official, who spoke onthe condition of anonymity.

The NCAA planned formal release of the report later today.

Coursework Done for 18 Ball Players

The scandal broke in March 1999, when former tutor and officemanager Jan Gangelhoff came forward with her story of helpingathletes cheat.

The NCAA commended Minnesota for its investigation andcomprehensive self-punishment, which included an offer to repay 90percent of its money for playing in the 1994, 1995 and 1997 NCAAbasketball tournaments, or about $350,000.