FIU placed on three years probation

[Apis Bull]

FIU placed on three years probation

Posted: Monday May 30, 2005 6:22PM; Updated: Monday May 30, 2005 6:22PM

MIAMI (AP) -- The NCAA placed Florida International's three-year-old football program on three years probation Monday after the school's internal investigation revealed an assistant coach committed offseason football workout violations.

The punishment will not include any loss of scholarships, or reductions in postseason play or television appearances.

The violations involved an assistant coach who supervised and conducted offseason practice, illegal under NCAA rules.

The assistant coach involved in the matter was fired, FIU athletic director Rick Mello said, but he won't be identified because it is an internal school matter. FIU will also hire two assistants to help deal with student-athlete development and athletics compliance.

"It is my sense that the NCAA's decision was to give us one year of probation for each of the seasons in which a violation occurred," Mello said. "We are relieved to have all of this behind us and that no student-athletes will be negatively impacted."

The violations will also not affect FIU's plans to move into Division I-A, Mello said. The Golden Panthers are in the second year of a transition period into college football's upper echelon and will join the Sun Belt Conference in football this fall.

"It was very important to our institution as we went through this procedure that we set a serious tone for the future of our program," Mello said.

FIU placed on three years probation

[bullwark]

Very Minor.

[smazza]

pathetic for a new program

[smazza]

cheating already

[DawgPound]

FIU must have that just win attitude.

[lotsofbull99]

FIU must have that just win attitude.

Well, they're in the same neighborhood as Miami?

[Bullpride08]

This is really pathetic.  They've also had some minor academic infractions, and just added academic advisors.  

They want the glory but they're taking to many short-cuts.  As if FAU already didn't have a leg up on them this only amplifies the circumstance.  This is just disgraceful to see a program cheating so early, and what's worse is it didn't appear to gain them an edge.

[Guest Sprtsfn627]

I don't condone cheating...but you know if Florida or Florida State did it, they might get a slap on the wrist, if that.

[Bullpride08]

I don't condone cheating...but you know if Florida or Florida State did it, they might get a slap on the wrist, if that.

True, but FIU condoned it, and was only self-reporting because someone had already turned them in, and from a new program that shouldn't be cheating to begin with.  They should strive to start a program with honorable intentions.

Besides most of the sanctions were self-imposed by FIU, and most were rather weak and stuff they've already circumvented to avoid any negativity.

[GarySJ]

They want the glory but they're taking to many short-cuts.  As if FAU already didn't have a leg up on them, this only amplifies the circumstance.

Do you mean FAU has a leg up in football glory, or a leg up in taking too many short-cuts? I suppose it's both...