Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 6, 1990 TAG: 9003061765
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLLEGE PARK, MD. LENGTH: Long
"Because we feel so strongly that the sanctions imposed are more severe than our infractions warrant, we intend to appeal several of the penalties," school president William Kirwan said Monday at a news conference.
Kirwan accused the NCAA of failing to take into account Maryland's cooperation with the investigation and the school's previously unblemished record when it banned the Terrapins from postseason play in 1991 and 1992.
Maryland has 15 days to officially notify the NCAA of its appeal, and school officials will use that time to decide which sanctions will be contested, Kirwan said.
Maryland was cited for a lack of institutional control over the program, which was found guilty of 18 rules violations during the three-year coaching tenure of Bob Wade. The NCAA began an investigation last February and sent the university an official letter of inquiry in October.
The Terrapins also will be prohibited from appearing on national television next season, which apparently prevents them from competing in the 1991 Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. Maryland also must return $407,378 of the money it received for reaching the second round of the 1988 NCAA Tournament.
"The [NCAA infractions] committee imposed all but the most minor of the prescribed sanctions," Kirwan said. "And, it went beyond the prescribed penalties when it imposed a second year of prohibition from postseason play and a third year of probation.
"One is left to wonder how the sanctions could have been substantially different if we had repeated violations, been uncooperative and failed to take decisive actions."
Kirwan estimated the financial impact of the sanctions at $3 million.
Steven Morgan, the NCAA's associate executive director for enforcement, said the committee did consider the university's cooperation when it decided not to impose the restrictions on recruiting and scholarships outlined as part of the NCAA's minimum penalties for major violations.
"The committee gives particular credit to the university and its president for its effort in cooperating with the investigation," Morgan said. "It is also important to note the committee, nonetheless, found substantial violations and thought those resulted from a lack of institutional control from the time the basketball staff was put in place in 1986. That led to some of the substantial penalties here."
ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan said he was surprised by the severity of the sanctions.
"I've been impressed with Maryland's openness and its desire to get everything out in the open," Corrigan said. "I think they did a great job with this. I was stunned by the second year of [banning] from the tournament. I agree with their decision to appeal."
Corrigan also said that, because Maryland was not allowed to appear on TV in 1991, he couldn't see how the Terps could participate in the ACC Tournament next year.
The penalties do not affect the Terps' bid for a postseason berth this year. Maryland finished the regular season with an 18-12 record and meets Duke on Friday in the opening round of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.
"Our only responsibility this week is to be ready to play in the ACC Tournament," said Gary Williams, the Terps' coach. "We have 18 wins now, and we expect to be in the NCAA Tournament also."
The sanctions are Maryland's punishment for violations that included providing recruits with free clothing, providing a car for a student-athlete and selling complimentary ACC Tournament tickets.
"I want to state emphatically that the university deeply regrets and is embarrassed by its violations of NCAA regulations," Kirwan said. "The university accepts full responsibility for these violations and believes it should be subjected to appropriate sanctions."
The university forced Wade to resign in May 1989, buying out the final two years of his contract, and cooperated with NCAA investigators, even offering to impose sanctions on itself last month at a hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
However, Morgan said the postseason ban begins next season rather than this year for two reasons: to allow the school enough time to decide whether to appeal and to make the sanctions more painful.
"The timing of the announcement would make it particularly difficult to try to affect the team's eligibility for this tournament and give the institution the opportunity to make its decision to appeal," Morgan said.
The committee held the university responsible for misconduct by Wade and his staff members.
The most serious violations committed by Wade were providing a leased car, making cash payments of $272 and giving rides to former Terrapins guard Rudy Archer, who played the 1987-88 season at Maryland; and giving free or greatly discounted clothing to Alonzo Mourning and Brian Williams while they were being recruited.
Mourning plays at Georgetown and Williams transferred to Arizona after playing his freshman season at Maryland.
Wade also was found guilty of providing false and misleading information to investigators. Former assistant coach Jeff Adkins of Martinsville was found guilty of selling complimentary tickets for players during the 1988 ACC Tournament.
by CNB