Source: NCAA findings on USC to come friday

[WarTiger 3,987]

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5234097

Source: Findings on USC coming Friday

The NCAA committee on infractions will release its findings regarding the USC football and basketball programs on Friday, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com's Dana O'Neil on Sunday.

The NCAA infractions committee held a hearing in February in which USC presented its responses to allegations of NCAA violations.

The Tempe, Ariz., proceedings featured appearances from former basketball coach Tim Floyd and new football coach Lane Kiffin -- and an overloaded cart of documents that included seven boxes and two massive bound folders.

For more news and notes on the Trojans, check out Pedro Moura's blog. Blog

But USC's ultimate fate requires a verdict from the NCAA, which would follow any recommendation for sanctions or penalties in the committee's report. USC would have an opportunity to appeal.

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported in May of 2008 that former basketball player O.J. Mayo accepted cash and gifts -- extra benefits -- from Rodney Guillory, who was connected to Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management. Moreover, Floyd was alleged to have provided a $1,000 cash payment to help steer Mayo to USC, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.

USC already admitted wrongdoing with the basketball program and sanctioned itself, including a ban on postseason participation, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.

But though USC chose to contest the allegation against the football program, its ultimate goal is to overcome the perception of a lack of institutional control, which could result in significant sanctions, including scholarship reductions, TV and postseason bans, recruiting restrictions and probation.

If USC is found guilty of major violations, the NCAA also could rule that the Trojans are "repeat violators." Per NCAA rules, "An institution shall be considered a 'repeat' violator if the Committee on Infractions finds that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty."

The athletic program was last sanctioned in August of 2001, so if football allegations concerning former Trojans running back Reggie Bush are found to be major violations, they would fall within that time frame.

The football program could be forced to forfeit victories from Bush's seasons there (2003-05) -- during which time the Trojans won a national championship and lost in the BCS title game against Texas.

The NCAA and Pacific-10 Conference investigators have tried to determine whether Bush and his parents took improper benefits, including an alleged rent-free residence provided by a sports marketer. Bush has not met with NCAA and Pac-10 investigators, and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

If Bush is found retroactively ineligible, he could lose his 2005 Heisman Trophy.

next up uat....

[AUslug 1]

I expect a slap on the wrist, I don't have much faith in the NCAA in this matter since they dragged ass and basically acted like they were being an impostion to Bush and USC.

[rtftiger 40]

It also sets up nicely to implicate a previous coaching staff, which is a favorite NCAA loophole. My guess is that Carroll knew he was leaving at the end of the year, and the NCAA let him get out of town before reaching a judgment.