UCF gets NCAA Postseason Ban, sort of cries "Foul"

Woe is the University of Central Florida athletic department.

UCF found out their punishment from the NCAA today (Tues) and they were cited for "Lack of Institutional Control".

However, the penalty, which is perceived by many in Orlando as being "Too Harsh", is nothing major. A 1-year ban on post-season play for both the Football and Basketball teams. A $50K fine and 5-years probation.

Read our initial story on the allegations from November...RIGHT HERE

The Knights were already in trouble with the NCAA for impermissable phone contact with a recruit. Since they were on probation for that; they become "Repeat Offenders".

UCF already had imposed some penalties on themselves, putting the athletic department on probation for 3 years, eliminating a scholarship basketball slot and forfeiting games from 2008 thru the 2010-11 season in hoops. Oh...and football coach George O'Leary got a "Letter of Reprimand" in his personnel file.

The Orlando Sentinel says in a headline that the school plans to appeal. However, when you click on the link--you get the background story of what happened and no mention of the appeal.

You can read that story RIGHT HERE

According to a tweet by ESPN's Andy Katz, UCF is just whining (appealing) the bowl game ban, not the basketball stuff. Really guys? You aren't missing much there...just sayin'.

The investigation had centered on former Athletic Director Keith Tribble's relationship with a Chicago area "Mentor" to athletes, Ken Caldwell.

That relationship was supposed to steer several athletes down from Chicago to the wannabe NCAA power in Orlando. It wasn't successful.

We don't really pity UCF and quite honestly, they should be considering themselves fortunate this is the only penalty they are paying. Yeah, Caldwell swore up and down he wasn't affiliated with an agent and he was just trying to find a school for his kid and his friends to play at.

Again, it didn't work.

So, hopefully UCF moves on, tries to play a little closer to the rules and takes their penalty like a man. They aren't facing more than 1-season of not playing in a bowl game, Conference USA's basketball tourney and/or the NCAA Basketball Tourney.

Oh..we forgot to mention...the Knights head to the Big East after this season too.

UCF Gets Post-Season Bans In Two Sports For A Year

((HT: WESH-TV))

The NCAA piled on to Central Florida's self-imposed penalties after major recruiting violations were discovered in both their basketball and football programs.

The NCAA added one-year postseason bans for both men's basketball and football in addition to the $50,000 fine, adding two more years to UCF's proposed three years' probation, reduction of basketball scholarships, vacating three years worth of basketball victories and less days allowed for football recruiting.

UCF conducted its own investigation into the allegations of former AD Keith Tribble, former assistant football coach David Kelly, and head men's basketball coach Donnie Jones. Tribble and Kelly were cited for unethical conduct by the NCAA and eventually resigned. Jones served a three-game suspension during the season and was given a "failure to monitor compliance" charge by the NCAA. Tribble was also given a three year show cause penalty as well.

Here's an interview Tribble did for UCFTV a few years back describing his excitement for leading the program...


The punishments come from an investigation that found the programs were involved with runners for sports agents and made cash payments to recruits. As an example, Recruiter Kim Cadwell was also accused of making deposits into students bank accounts, paying tuition and providing laptops to athletes.

Head football coach George O'Leary received no punishments...

The HQ rubs its collective chin over that one... but isn't fully surprised at the insular behavior exhibited...

"My same message to the coaches and the players is that you know we do things by the rule book. Recruiting is a business but there is a correct way to do something," said football coach George O'Leary.

Conference USA has also told UCF that they cannot participate in the post-season tournament for basketball and the championship game in football. Since they're moving to the Big East Conference for the 2013-2014 season, this is the last activity the school is involved in in Conference USA...

More when we know more...

UCF Files Appeal In Plancher Case

Surprising no one, the Central Florida Athletic Association has filed an appeal in the ruling of the wrongful death of football player Ereck Plancher.

The university feels that one of three aspects of the ruling can be used in either overturning the ruling, ordering a new trial, or minimizing the financial settlement ordered by the court.

UCF is saying a waiver Plancher signed should have blown out any school liability, the judge in the case mismanaged the trial, and since the university views itself as a state agency the $10-million judgment is more than the $200,000 limit for liability.

From Iliana Limon's piece in the Orlando Sentinel...

The Plancher family attorneys are scheduled to file their response to the appeal later this month. UCFAA has requested the right to present its case in person via oral arguments. The two sides would likely appear at the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach late in the summer or early in the fall.

The Plancher family filed their wrongful death suit in 2009 claiming that sickle cell trait and the coaching staff's neglect in treatment at the time of Ereck Plancher's collapse on the practice field.

UCF's insurance company claim it was an undiagnosed heart condition.

And so we move on...

The HQ isn't surprised that UCF is bogging this down in the courts. IUt's their only recourse to save their own ass in a case that was mismanaged from the beginning...

Here's head coach George O'Leary's testimony from the trial as part of our flashback...
((HT: MyFoxOrlando))

UCF coach testifies in wrongful death suit: MyFoxORLANDO.com

UCF AD resigns, school receives Notice of Allegations

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((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

Whooops. There is another scandal going on out there that needs to be reported on. We told earlier this year about a potential investigation at UCF in Orlando involving their recruiting ties to one Ken Caldwell.

You can read about that RIGHT HERE

Well, the school has now been delivered a 16-page notice of allegations and it has cost Athletic Director Keith Tribble his job. Those same allegations will cost basketball coach Donnie Jones for 3-games with pay and UCF Football wide receivers coach David Kelly was also let go.

Read about the turmoil at UCF from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

This all stems from an investigation into the school's basketball and football recruiting. And yes, this is not good.

The supposition is the school demanded these actions to help appease the NCAA and show they are in "Institutional Control". That phrase is the one thing school presidents don't want to hear.

We will add that Tribble apparently among other-things, provided false and misleading information to the institution and enforcement staff--(He lied).

According to the Sentinel, a date has yet to be given for the school to respond to these charges. Until that response and hearing is given, a full-punishment won't be doled out.

--Note-- UCF is also allegedly going to accept an invitation to join the Big East this week. Though they are running out of time, if in fact that is the timetable. According to the paper, the Big East is aware of the investigation.

Yes, this is a serious story, but couldn't resist the whole "Trouble with Tribbles" thing:



The HQ noticed that none of this is in regard to the ongoing Ereck Plancher civil case. We can only figure that the NCAA beat Central Florida's president to the punch before Tribble and other football staffers will get sent packing when that case is done.

Here is the Letter Of Inquiry and here is the Notice of Allegations, thanks to our friends at WFTV-TV in Orlando

Plancher Jury Starts Deliberations

((ht: orlandosentinel))

The trial of a now deceased UCF Football player's family versus the University of Central Florida Athletic Association is beginning to wind down.

The trial, which in a somewhat interesting twist, was promised to be over in 3-weeks, is about to hit that magical 3-week mark. And the judge in the case is holding the attorneys for both sides to that timetable.

Wednesday's testimony included a "Medical Expert" and a Boston area "Hematologist". Both testified they did not believe Ereck Plancher's diagnosis of "Sickle Cell Trait" contributed to his death at a UCF Football practice in 2008.

That testimony contradicted the testimony of the Orange County Medical Examiner who said he believes the trait is exactly what caused Plancher's death. Testimony has also included debate as to whether or not there was water made available to players at practice as well.

The Plancher family is seeking damages from the UCFAA and this case should be over soon. Final testimony is scheduled for Thursday and the case could be sent to the jury by the end of the day.

Your re-cap, includes George O'Leary testifying, and is courtesy of our friends at the Orlando Sentinel the one Orlando media outlet that isn't all "Casey Anthony" all the time.

 

PM UPDATE: As of 1730HRS Thursday afternoon, the jury has started deliberations in the case. Steve Yerrid, the Plancher family attorney, told jurors during his closing argument the UCF Athletics Association failed to follow its own policies and do everything possible to save Plancher's life.

UCFAA attorney Kevin Taylor countered there is "no evidence based proof" sickle cell trait caused death.

More when we know more...