C5SilverBullet
05-25-2011, 5:47pm
USC has been notified by the NCAA infractions appeals committee that all penalties and findings against the athletic department have been upheld, according to a person close to the situation.
USC had pointed in its appeal to precedent as a reason that their penalties were excessive. But the appeals committee stated that those cases were not directly applicable, the source said.
USC will lose 30 scholarships over the next three years and won't be eligible to play in this year's Pac-12 title game or a bowl game.
More On USC
For the latest news on all things USC, check out the Trojans blog. Blog
Also continuing is the provision allowing USC upperclassmen to transfer to any FBS schools without the typical one-year penalty, which Trojans coach Lane Kiffin called "free agency" last year. Any USC senior can transfer this offseason and play his final season at a school of his choosing.
The NCAA imposed those penalties in June 2010 after ruling Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo received improper benefits. The university also was cited for a lack of institutional control. Bush gave back his Heisman Trophy.
Two weeks after the June ruling, school officials said they would appeal some of the penalties, calling them excessive. The Trojans were given four years' probation, had to vacate 14 wins and were required to banish Bush from the program.
Wednesday's news presumably closes the book on USC's case with the NCAA, as USC athletic director Pat Haden said in January that the school would take no further action following the announcement of the appeal decision.
A school spokesperson would not comment on the issue when reached Wednesday afternoon by ESPNLosAngeles.com, but the decision is expected to be made public Thursday.
Joe Schad is a college football reporter for ESPN.com. Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Pedro Moura and The Associated Press was used in this report.
USC had pointed in its appeal to precedent as a reason that their penalties were excessive. But the appeals committee stated that those cases were not directly applicable, the source said.
USC will lose 30 scholarships over the next three years and won't be eligible to play in this year's Pac-12 title game or a bowl game.
More On USC
For the latest news on all things USC, check out the Trojans blog. Blog
Also continuing is the provision allowing USC upperclassmen to transfer to any FBS schools without the typical one-year penalty, which Trojans coach Lane Kiffin called "free agency" last year. Any USC senior can transfer this offseason and play his final season at a school of his choosing.
The NCAA imposed those penalties in June 2010 after ruling Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo received improper benefits. The university also was cited for a lack of institutional control. Bush gave back his Heisman Trophy.
Two weeks after the June ruling, school officials said they would appeal some of the penalties, calling them excessive. The Trojans were given four years' probation, had to vacate 14 wins and were required to banish Bush from the program.
Wednesday's news presumably closes the book on USC's case with the NCAA, as USC athletic director Pat Haden said in January that the school would take no further action following the announcement of the appeal decision.
A school spokesperson would not comment on the issue when reached Wednesday afternoon by ESPNLosAngeles.com, but the decision is expected to be made public Thursday.
Joe Schad is a college football reporter for ESPN.com. Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Pedro Moura and The Associated Press was used in this report.