Clemson Releases Compliance Report

May 30, 2001

CLEMSON – Clemson University released its semi-annual athletics compliance report today (May 30), which shows that the institution submitted three reports of secondary rules violations to the NCAA since January, 2001.

Included in the summary report was a case involving two prospective football recruits and a booster. Clemson ceased recruiting the two prospects in January because of concerns that NCAA rules had been violated. Clemson reported three secondary violations, and NCAA staff have agreed that the violations are secondary. The report will now be sent to the NCAA enforcement representative who processes secondary infractions for review.

Secondary violations reported are:

improper contact by an assistant coach and a booster during arecruiting “quiet period” when they had lunch with the prospects ata local restaurant, a $1,300 loan by a booster to pay for alimousine the students used to attend a high school prom, and abooster allowing the students to use his boat.

The following sanctions and corrective measures have been imposed by the university.

The coach was required to attend a rules seminar at his own expense and will not be eligible for a salary increase or bowl bonus until September 1, 2002. In addition, he will not recruit off-campus until February 6, 2002, and has received a letter of reprimand.

The number of coaches permitted to recruit off campus between now and February 6, 2002, has been reduced from seven to six. The evaluation period from April 25 to May 31, 2001, was reduced from four weeks to three weeks, and the number of scholarships that can be awarded in football for the 2002-2003 school year has been reduced from 85 to 83.

The booster has been disassociated from the university’s athletics program for at least one year.

In addition, the university will step up efforts to ensure that all coaches and boosters are aware of NCAA rules. All football staff members will be required to attend a special rules education session. The athletic department will establish a compliance web site, send a letter to all booster club members prior to the 2001-2002 academic year reminding them of their obligations to follow NCAA rules, and include rules education articles in each issue of the booster club publication “The Orange and White.”

“These sanctions reflect the serious nature of this investigation as well as our intention to send a strong message about Clemson’s commitment to compliance,” Athletics Director Bobby Robinson said. “We considered all the information that was available, and we believe the sanctions are appropriate.”

Clemson President Jim Barker said that a recently adopted university plan includes a specific goal related to athletics that calls for both full compliance and national championship-caliber competition.

“We believe we can do both. We have invested significant energy and resources into our athletic staff, facilities and programs, and we’ve also made an equal commitment to compliance,” Barker said.

Head Coach Tommy Bowden agreed. “We intend to win and win with integrity. I will tolerate nothing less. The integrity of this university, our team and my good name are of paramount importance. They will not be compromised,” he said. “The football program has significant momentum and support from the Clemson family. President Barker and Bobby Robinson have assured me they like the direction the football program is headed. We are eager to move on and get ready for the season.”

Two other compliance matters were included in the report. In both cases, the NCAA agreed with Clemson’s assessment and corrective measures.

The football program was cited with a secondary violation for providing an impermissible snack during a recruiting weekend held in January. A drop-in for parents of prospective student-athletes included refreshments, which is not allowed under NCAA rules. Because similar violations had occurred previously, the staff member received a letter of reprimand and was required to attend a rules seminar at his own expense.

During the same weekend, another secondary violation occurred when fans were permitted to interact with a prospect outside the football stadium. Because of that violation, the number of official visits allowed in football have been reduced to 42 for 2001-2002. Clemson averages 45 visits per year.

The final secondary violation report occurred when a family member of a women’s track coach attended a dinner with prospective student-athletes during an official visit. The coach reimbursed the university, so no institutional funds were used. Because of the repayment and rules education with the coach, the NCAA agreed to restore the prospects’ eligibility.