Thomas, Burnett at heart of NCAA investigation at Tech
Georgia Tech was fined $100,000 by the NCAA, stripped of its 2009 ACC championship in football and placed on four years of probation on Thursday for failure to cooperate with its investigation into the football and men’s basketball programs.
Those weren’t the only penalties, which stemmed from what the NCAA described as an isolated instance of former standout wide receiver Demaryius Thomas allegedly receiving $312 in impermissible gifts, and grew to Morgan Burnett allegedly taking gifts and misleading NCAA investigators. Both have denied taking improper benefits.
In addition, more penalties were self-imposed and accepted by the NCAA:
- Public reprimand and censure.
- Four years of probation from July 14, 2011 through July 13, 2015. The public report further details the conditions of this probation.
- A reduction of two men’s basketball recruiting days during the 2011 summer evaluation period (self-imposed by the university).
- A limit of 10 official visits for men’s basketball for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years.
- A vacation of all contests won by the football team during the 2009 season after November 24. The ACC said Tech must return the trophy. No champion for the season will be named.
The committee stated in its report, “This case provides a cautionary tale of conduct that member institutions should avoid while under investigation for violations of NCAA rules.” It said Tech’s previous history of violations factored into its punishment decisions. After receiving penalties for the 2005 and ‘06 seasons for infractions that occurred in the 1990s, the NCAA said that if Tech committed another major infraction before Nov. 17, 2010, it would be subject to added penalties as a repeat violator.
Within the investigation, the NCAA noted the combative and confrontational attitude of general counsel, Randy Nordin. He retired in December. Paul Parker, formerly the assistant athletics director at compliance, left in April to take a job with Auburn.
The case started when Tech learned that Thomas, received clothing from a friend of someone who worked for an sports agent. Burnett and former player Calvin Booker attended the meeting when Thomas received the clothing. Burnett didn’t receive anything.
Athletics Director Dan Radakovich told coach Paul Johnson about the investigation into Thomas receiving improper benefits, but didn’t inform him that he shouldn’t talk to Burnett about the investigation. The NCAA said that conversation hindered its investigation.
The NCAA noted that Tech continued to allow one of the players to compete in the final three games of the 2009-10 football season, in which Tech won the ACC and played in the Orange Bowl, despite the NCAA notifying the school that it had questions about the eligibility of that player. Dennis Thomas, the head of the Infractions Committee, said Tech had enough information to warrant not using the player until it could investigate the players’ eligibility. Tech President Dr. G.P. “Bud” Peterson made the decision to allow both to play.
“It appeared to the committee that the institution attempted to manipulate the information surrounding potential violations involving (the student-athlete) so there would be enough doubt about its validity to justify the decision not to declare him ineligible,” the NCAA said in its report.
The committee also noted “the university took these actions despite information reported by the student-athlete, another football student-athlete and an assistant football coach regarding the potential agent involvement in preferential treatment benefits.” Tech barred Booker from the university’s training facilities and denied him access to complimentary tickets to athletic contests.
Thomas denied that he was one of the reasons for the investigation. In a text message, Thomas said he was offered things by people not affiliated with Tech, but never accepted. Burnett, a safety and third-round pick, also denied the report, texting that he “did not knowingly or unknowingly receive any gifts from any agents … These reports are baseless and false.”
Thomas and Burnett signed with Tech when Chan Gailey was the coach. Paul Johnson, who led Tech to the ACC title in 2009, was hired after Gailey was fired by Radakovich after the 2007 season after five years at the helm.
It is the second time in six years that Tech has been penalized by the NCAA. It learned in 2003 that it had been misapplying an NCAA eligibility rule and worked with the NCAA to investigate the nature and results of the error. They learned that 17 athletes, including 11 football players, who were academically ineligible were allowed to compete during the 1998 and ‘99 seasons.
As a result, Georgia Tech was on a two-year probation that resulted in self-imposed scholarship cuts (from 85 to 79) and a reduction in signing classes (from 25 to no more than 19) in 2005 and 2006. In addition to those penalties, the NCAA infractions committee added a limit of 79 total football scholarships for the 2006 and 2007 teams, six below the normal maximum.
The infractions committee also recommended that Tech vacate wins from seasons, 1998-2002, plus 2004, which were all winning seasons that ended in bowl trips. Tech appealed and the NCAA appeals committee agreed, allowing the results of those seasons to stand.
The NCAA has been in what appears to be a testy mood regarding alleged violations and lack of cooperation in wake of scandals at Ohio State, Southern California and North Carolina, among other places. The Trojans were forced by the NCAA to forfeit their 2004 national championship and the Buckeyes voluntarily forfeited 12 wins and their 2010 Sugar Bowl victory in an attempt to appease the infractions committee. Penalties against North Carolina’s program haven’t been announced. However, numerous players were suspended for all or parts of last season.
Please keep checking back for news.
– Doug Roberson, AJC. Follow on twitter @ajcgatech
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531 comments Add your comment
DontmesswBill
July 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
College players should get paid. Most of them will never make it to the pro ranks. The colleges are raking in tons of money from their athletics programs/
married2GTee
July 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
When did GA fans get the idea that calling a Tech fan, player, or alum is an insult? Like my hubby says, you can’t “geek” with a double e! He has a EE ( for you GA fans..that means Bachelor of Electrical Engineering)! He also graduated with highest honors so if you want to make fun of Tech and call them nerds/geeks that fine. At least their degrees mean something, they get better jobs, and probably make more money than any of you will ever see. Who’s laughing now? Just sayin!
Go Jackets!
mike
July 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
It’s true after all. Tech does lie and cheat.
The Truth
July 14th, 2011
4:39 pm
GA Tech Lies & Cheats & Everyone knows it. Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tech fans have to be the dumbest fans on the planet. Why would anyone support an outlaw program like GA Tech? Isn’t this their second probation in the last 5 years in football? I can remember not too long ago they got in trouble for paying cash to their tennis players out of the coaches car trunk. LOL!
Go Jackets
July 14th, 2011
4:39 pm
We vacated games after Nov 24, 2009. So the Ugag game didn’t happen and the dogs can remove that W
cmon man
July 14th, 2011
4:40 pm
tech fans stop crying the ncaa warned your athletic department but in true tech they ignored them so stop blaming the ncaa and look at the people in charge at tech. i bet cpj wants to punch guys from the ncaa in the face now!
The Truth
July 14th, 2011
4:42 pm
Paul Johnson and GA Tech have bigger fish to fry than honesty and integrity. LOL!
Paul Johnson teaches his players to use illegal and unethical chop and cut blocks. So we should not be surprised about any other cheating.
BG
July 14th, 2011
4:42 pm
Cheating always catches up to you.
Defrocking Department
July 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
GO JACKETS!
TGT
July 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
Being a Georgia grad, it seems ironic that Tech has now run afoul of the NCAA. It’s happening at every school whether it has yet been discovered. You can’t control what 18-22 year old students are doing on their free time. Tech fans, don’t mock Georgia or other schools now that you’ve had a good look in the mirror.
Too Funny
July 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
Looks like the North Ave. Trade School is the laughing stock of Georgia.
Mack
July 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
UGA runs this state, tech just embarrasses it
Not a nerd
July 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
married2GTee,
I graduated from Georgia SOUTHERN, and I make more money than my brother-in-law who has an ME degree from tech.
te29wr
July 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
Did thes players play in 2008 when they beat UGA? Once a cheat always a cheat
RamboDog
July 14th, 2011
4:47 pm
married2GTee
I bet your “man” something….haha
Just Sayin'
July 14th, 2011
4:47 pm
Wow, all these Bulldog fans so holier than thou. Tell me, Red and Black, how many arrests did GT have from it’s football team? What about Ohio State? Throw in North Carolina and So Cal. Becareful about throwing stones for rules violations when CMR seems to have averaged double digit ARRESTS each season of his tenure.
married2GTee
July 14th, 2011
4:47 pm
Oops! Meant to say…..When did GA fans get the idea that calling a Tech fan, player, or alum, a nerd or geek is an insult? Go Jackets! Sorry I was typing too fast!
NCAA Goon Squad
July 14th, 2011
4:48 pm
Southern Cal, Ohio State and Georgia Tech,
Auburn and North Carolina are next.
Carl
July 14th, 2011
4:48 pm
I don’t believe I’ve ever read so many unintelligent comments before in my life.
Mack
July 14th, 2011
4:49 pm
cant spell thug without GT
GT1
July 14th, 2011
4:49 pm
Karma is a bitch. Just saw a copy of a letter from Slive inviting GT to join the SEC. They now think we are worthy!
Bobby Steak
July 14th, 2011
4:50 pm
Tech NCAA Penalties – $100,000….Steak Shapiro naming his son after his father who is still alive (a no-no in Judaism) – priceless.
Tech Drop Out
July 14th, 2011
4:50 pm
We should all remember that the institution on North Avenue is educating tomorrow’s business and industrial leaders.
Given their proficiency in lying, cheating, and covering up, future grads should fit in right well with the current cast of “leaders” we have in this country.
BowT
July 14th, 2011
4:50 pm
I guess all the redneck UGA fans here keep calling Tech guys, “nerds,” cause they get tired of calling them, “boss.”
meh
July 14th, 2011
4:50 pm
As a recent Tech graduate, it is pretty funny to see all of the UGA fans hating on us. Oh well, we lost our title but I still had a great time during the 09 season and you can’t take that away. And for everyone calling us “nerds”, enjoy living the rest of your life cheering for a jersey. I am pretty happy kicking it back with my 6 figure starting salary.
GTFan
July 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
It’s sad that two formers players do this to the team, and they’re no longer playing for the team. But, it’s also the coaches responsibility to take care of these issues. It seems that a lot of the colleges and teams are being stupid and not realizing what opportunities they have. I am still a die heart tech fan, and that will never change!!
Unlike, the UGA fans I am not going to throw my team to the side and decide to rooting them on when I feel like it. And, I love how UGA acts like everything is perfect with them.
come on
July 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
ok dawg fans throw your rocks, but you know what they say about throwing rocks in a glass house. this is over 300 bucks so this could be u tomorrow
Patrick
July 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
Just sayin’… give up the excuses and figer pointing. Your athletic department turned some minor violations into a major problem by trying to lie and cover up. Don’t try to turn this around. This could have been very similar to the AJ Green issue from last year if GT had just been honest and sat the players out while cooperating with the investigation.
That Dude Who Knows Stuff
July 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
DOUG,
You got the Thomas part right, but Burnett did not play a large role in this. His name is just mixed in. The other main player was Derrick Morgan, but his cell phone bills were straightened out when he was able to produce evidence that he had personally paid them. This refuted a claim that was made to the NCAA, which stated that an agent had given Morgan a cell phone and paid for it.
thwg
July 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
Mack,
I’m glad you think so. But nobody at NASA has heard of your little school, and GT has an astronaut in space right now. Not good enough? Okay. Our fight song was the first school song played in space. Still not good enough? We’re on the list of schools with the best education for your money.
We’re pretty relevant as a school. Stop pretending we aren’t. We may be less relevant to college football, but that’s the price you pay when you decide education is more important.
GTFan
July 14th, 2011
4:54 pm
The Truth
July 14th, 2011
4:39 pm
GA Tech Lies & Cheats & Everyone knows it. Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tech fans have to be the dumbest fans on the planet. Why would anyone support an outlaw program like GA Tech? Isn’t this their second probation in the last 5 years in football? I can remember not too long ago they got in trouble for paying cash to their tennis players out of the coaches car trunk. LOL!
Because unlike UGA fans we stay true to our team! This is not what we needed, but life goes on.
GT Alum
July 14th, 2011
4:54 pm
Carl -
You must not spend much time on the AJC blogs, then.
National Champs!
July 14th, 2011
4:54 pm
Those claiming AU paid heisman trophy winner Cam Newton should send your proof to the NCAA. His Father spoke with a couple MSU boosters about payment. Ever consider he spoke with a coach or his Son in the NFL about it and they told him he could damage Cam’s career? Head coach at Oklahoma and UT said $$ never came up during Cams recruitment from juco. Is it possible Cam saw AU’s Sr. offensive line and felt that his best chance to succeed was at AU? War Eagle!! 2010 National Champs!! 14-0!
FuzzyBee
July 14th, 2011
4:54 pm
These silly gift rules have got to be changed. I have given people that I barely know things that might be valued at $312. If someone owns a jersey or ring, why can’t they sell it? Why do NCAA athletes have to give up their rights to their personal property just to play for free and make some other people tons of money?
As for playing an athlete that the NCAA is investigating, I say bring the case. It should be up to the NCAA to decide eligible/ineligible. If the school plays an athlete that they clearly know to be ineligible that should be a penalty but don’t tell the school that their player is being investigated (and presumed innocent) and then trump up the penalty later if they decide to play him.
The NCAA is a cabal of politicians and monopolists masquerading as an amateur athletics sanctioning body. I say it is time to create a rival organization with transparent rules, player stipends, and a football playoff.
Mack
July 14th, 2011
4:55 pm
So what is that, one LEGAL win vs UGA since 1990??!!!!
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
GTU
July 14th, 2011
4:56 pm
You nerds suck at cheating. LMAO.
Carl
July 14th, 2011
4:58 pm
Gt Alum-
As a fellow GT Alum, I’m kinda busy being a Chemical Engineer and doing some good for the world.
Tucker
July 14th, 2011
4:59 pm
“The NCAA would screw up a two car funeral procession.” – Dale Brown, LSU
roll tide
July 14th, 2011
4:59 pm
As a Tide fan…..I have to admit that Auburn will probably be fine as they have told the NCAA everything…They will not be as good this year…but, they won it fair and square last year.
Footballrules
July 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
Give it time, boys, give it time. Crowell is now on campus. Won’t be long now before it becomes Jan Kemp, Chapter Two.
PMC
July 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
why would they punish tech basketball??? That’s just mean.
Luv UGA
July 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
To King Gator-Tech has always run their mouth everytime UGA gets in trouble. Treat others like you want to be treated. About time for them to get a dose of their own medicine.
oops....
July 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
see….if you guys were only more like Auburn, you could have gotten away with it….:)
RamboDog
July 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
meh…
you don’t even have a job, and with your GPA (if you graduate), you will not be making 6 figures ,,,,, I will gladly compare Net Worth with you now or in the future. Just show me your W-2 when you refill my drink Friday night… Loser
Wimpy
July 14th, 2011
5:01 pm
Why is the NCAA so scared of Nick $aban?
I HATE NERRRRRRRRDSS!
July 14th, 2011
5:01 pm
NERDS!
married2GTee
July 14th, 2011
5:01 pm
@ Not a nerd
I just get tired of people calling GT peeps nerds and geeks and trying to insult them. It’s just a game for heaven sakes! People make it so personal! When in fact there are certainly worst things you can be called! My hubby worked hard for what he has and what he has accomplished! I am proud of him. Just sayin! The “geek”shall inherit the earth! LOL!
@ RamboDog
What????
FuzzyBee
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
Translation of my comment above for UGA alums:
Damn, you got all that sh!t for just $312. I know hookers that cost more than that.
Tech, you gotta pay up to keep your players on the field like Auburn.
Everybody loves the NCAA till they are the ones bending over.
wolfman
July 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
Read the letter… Was it a gift from the cousin or the cousin’s roommate??? Very confusing. A lot of hot air about nothing. They should have gotten their Dad to ask for $180,000 then there would be no penalty!
Mit
July 14th, 2011
5:04 pm
It’s not about the $312.00. Read the first paragraph. It’s about the non-cooperation from GIT. Pompous asses.