Sports: Bonnies hit with probation, '04 postseason ban

Bonnies hit with probation, '04 postseason ban

Wire services
Published February 20, 2004

OLEAN, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure was put on three years' probation Thursday and barred from the 2004 NCAA postseason for a player eligibility scandal.

Citing "a lack of institutional control," the NCAA pinned most of the blame on former school president Robert Wickenheiser for ignoring athletic officials and approving junior Jamil Terrell's transfer.

Last year, the Bonnies were stripped of six victories and barred from the postseason by the Atlantic 10 after Terrell was ruled ineligible for violating junior college transfer guidelines. Terrell earned a certificate in welding at a community college before going to St. Bonaventure.

"The culpability ran to the ultimate decisionmaker, which was the former president," Thomas Yeager, chairman of the NCAA's committee on infractions, said Thursday.

"This is probably the most involved we've seen a president in a long time. If the president simply said, "No,' we wouldn't be here today."

Wickenheiser resigned in March and coach Jan van Breda Kolff was dismissed. Wickenheiser did not immediately respond to a call to his home.

A school investigation also found a program lacking institutional control.

State

UCF 83, MERCER 58: Dexter Lyons had 12 of his 17 points in the second half and Roberto Morentin scored 14 as the visiting Golden Knights (20-4, 15-2 A-Sun) won for the 18th time in 20 games and moved into a first-place tie with Troy State. The Bears (10-16, 7-10) lost their fourth straight.

GEORGIA ST. 90, FAU 76: Kevin Thomas had 16 points and Nate Williams 14 to help the host Panthers (16-8, 11-6 Atlantic Sun) to their third straight win. Georgia State shot 53 percent and outrebounded the Owls (8-16, 5-12) 38-32.

JU 71, LIPSCOMB 66: Haminn Quaintance posted his eighth double double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the host Dolphins (13-12, 8-10 A-Sun). Chad Hartman led the Bison (7-18, 4-13) with 18 points.

BELMONT 88, STETSON 67: Adam Mark had 20 points and seven assists as the visiting Bruins (18-6, 13-4 A-Sun) won for the ninth time in 10 games. E.J. Gordon had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Hatters (11-13, 9-9).