By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 9, 2003
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - More misery for Michigan basketball.
The Wolverines were banned from the next postseason and put on 31/2 years' probation by the NCAA on Thursday for a booster's payments to players dating to the Fab Five era. The team also will lose one of its 13 scholarships for four years beginning in 2004-05.
The case stems from an investigation involving now-deceased booster Ed Martin, who said he paid players, including Chris Webber.
"This is one of the most egregious violations of NCAA laws in the history of the organization," NCAA Committee on Infractions chairman Thomas Yeager said. "The reputation of the university, the student-athletes and the coach as a result of the basketball team's accomplishments from 1992 through 1998 were a sham."
Michigan held itself out of the NCAA Tournament last season, and the NCAA infractions committee called the self-imposed penalties "meaningful" but not enough. The Wolverines were banned from the NCAA Tournament and NIT next season, but the Big Ten can decide whether to allow them into the league tournament.
"We have always accepted responsibility for the concerns raised by the NCAA and by the infractions committee in its report," Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman said. "We own the wrongdoing, and we own the responsibility."
She said the school will appeal the postseason ban. Michigan expects to have a decision on the appeal by this fall.
Michigan hoped the NCAA would accept its self-imposed sanctions, including the removal of four banners from Crisler Arena, any pictures, words or records in printed materials involving Webber, Maurice Taylor, Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock, forfeits of 112 regular-season and Tournament victories from five seasons and its victory in the 1992 NCAA semifinals and the return of $450,000 from tarnished postseason appearances.
Martin said he gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to former Wolverines players. The NCAA also will allow Bernard Robinson, who will be a senior, to leave for another school without sitting out a season. But the forward said he is not expecting to transfer.
ALABAMA: Sophomore point guard Mo Williams declared for the draft but said he would return if it appears he won't be a high pick. He has until June 19 to withdraw provided he doesn't hire an agent.
IOWA STATE: Damion Staple wants to be released from his letter of intent, but his junior college coach said the university has ignored the request. The forward signed with Iowa State just before pictures of former coach Larry Eustachy partying with college students in Missouri were published.
Southeastern Illinois College coach Todd Franklin said he called Iowa State officials to ask for the release but has heard from no one other than assistant Wayne Morgan, who has no authority in such matters.
WOMEN'S NCAA REGIONAL: Florida State shot 6-over 290 for the first round of the East regional in Winston Salem, N.C., and is second, two shots behind Duke. Georgia is third, four shots behind Florida State. South Florida shot 28-over 312 and is 19th among 21 teams. The second round is today. The first round of the Central Regional in Lincoln, Neb., where Florida is playing, was rained out. The first and second rounds will be played today.
MEN: Florida is first after two rounds of the Atlanta Intercollegiate, one shot ahead of Georgia State. The final round is today.
Football
EAST TENN. ST: The school will drop its program after the 2003 season for financial reasons. The school must cut more than $7.5-million from its $139-million budget, and the program loses $1.1-million annually.
FAMU: Former Clemson quarterback Willie Simmons is transferring to the school. He threw for 2,530 yards in three seasons but lost the starting job to freshman Charlie Whitehurst. He will have one season of eligibility.
Baseball
FLORIDA: Junior outfielder Ben Harrison and sophomore first baseman C.J. Smith, a Jesuit graduate, were named to the Academic All-American District III first team. FLORIDA SOUTHERN 10, SAINT LEO 5: The visiting Mocs took advantage of four errors to score three unearned runs to defeat Saint Leo and move within a half-game of first-place Tampa in the Sunshine State Conference.
