Tech planning to appeal NCAA ruling
After a meeting of Georgia Tech officials Thursday, it is a near certainty that the school will appeal the NCAA ruling handed down last week.
“I don’t want to put it as 100 percent we’ll do something, but it’s a virtual certainty,” associate athletics director Wayne Hogan said Thursday.
For rules violations largely stemming back an NCAA investigation of former football players Demaryius Thomas and Morgan Burnett that eventually found that Thomas had received clothes worth $312, Georgia Tech was fined $100,000, placed on four years’ probation and had its 2009 ACC championship vacated. The NCAA said that Tech “failed to cooperate in an apparent effort to avoid potential allegations of rules violations,” which school president G.P. “Bud” Peterson and athletic director Dan Ravakovich have refuted. The school has not determined which of the penalties or findings it will challenge, but Hogan said, “I’d certainly think the vacation rises to the top of that list.”
Georgia Tech won’t have history on its side. Since the NCAA changed the appeals process rules in 2008, schools or individuals who have challenged NCAA infractions committee penalties have won only 1 of 13 appeals.
“There’s some doors that haven’t been closed in this case,” Hogan said. “There’s some curiosity as to the severity of the penalties based upon the facts of the case.”
Tech will have until next Thursday to notify the NCAA of its intent to appeal, then have 30 days to submit a written appeal. Hogan said the entire process could take months.
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Ken Sugiura, AJC
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85 comments Add your comment
mp
July 22nd, 2011
3:56 am
@sharecropper . . . your tinfoil hat is a little too tight, bro. i would suggest rabid is insinuating something inappropriate took place without a shred of corroborating evidence. obviously, you were there during the conversations. please, enlighten us with CPJ’s exact words. wait a minute–i’m hearing crickets chirp. is that because you’re speculating as to what you’d like everyone to believe happened? do us all a favor and take your imagination elsewhere unless you’ve got “the goods” on our coach.
i will agree with you that D-rad’s actions to involve CPJ were wrong. and, the NCAA has decided to make an example of us. but, since you wanna invoke CPJ as nixon, i submit you’re as nutty those conspiracy theorists looking to pin LBJ or the cubans for JFK’s assassination. get a life or cheer for another team!
Stinger 2
July 22nd, 2011
6:12 am
GT fan since 1952 and always will be regardless of wh the AD or coaches are. A fan cannot control anything a bout a sports program…can only continue cheer for or desert them. I choose to do the former. However, after CPJ`s recent babbling about it being o.k. to cheat at whatever you are doing except football, I think GT should put a handkerchief in his mouth before moving out with its appeal. The guy just kept putting his foot in his mouth in that interview.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 22nd, 2011
6:31 am
Might as well appeal. You have nothing to lose and maybe, if the NCAA saints deem you worthy, the penalty will be reduced.
The SEC is pushing them act faster, but they claim that they do not have the staff. In that case, they should at least issue a preliminary finding instead of leaving a team out to hang and wait on them to act.
They did so for Auburn with Newton, and then say they are still investigating it nine months later. They even let OSU players they had already found guilty, play and defer their punishment until next year.
Both of these instances are much more serious than offending the NCAA investigators sensitivities.
The NCAA has shown inconsistent punishment and has not been equal when handing it out. I think Tech. just hurt NCAA investigators feelings, because of what he perceived as not cooperating. When in the world did the party ever being charged, ever try to help convict itself, Thats just stupid on his behalf. The only time NCAA schools ever help out is when they have been caught red handed and there is no denying it. Then they go to the old, “Self Imposed Penalties”, in order to see if they can soften the load once a ruling does come down.
Wreck
July 22nd, 2011
6:47 am
Georgia Tech is a clean program, we have no fear of appealing. The fact the NCAA acted with gusto for a program like Georgia Tech is just further proof thast the system is tilted toward those that are doing the ACTUAL cheating.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
July 22nd, 2011
7:29 am
Why did we hurt the WHOLE program over 1 wide reciever ??????? I have raised my daughter to be a GT fan just like my dad raised me to be a GT fan. She is now 12 years old and loves wearing GT clothes. What am I suppose to tell her ??????? How did we become like every other program ??????? I use to tell my daughter anybody can be a UGA fan but not everyone can be a GT fan. I guess I want use that anymore cause now we are just like every other program !!!!!!!
Jacket Man
July 22nd, 2011
7:53 am
After further review, I have discovered that one Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas was assigned by the NCAA to lead the “investigation” into GA Tech’s supposed transgressions against their sacred policies. Here’s the rub; While Dr. Thomas might be considered an intelligent man, at some level, which after his leadership in this investigation I would even question, he comes from a Mid-Major Conference and has absolutely NO administrative experience whatsoever within a Major NCAA Conference.
Obviously there are tremendous differences between Mid-Major and Major Conferences besides just the sheer size of the Universities, and the amount of money that they have in their budgets. There are also large issues, like the fact that the Mid-Majors have a football Playoff System (FCS) where it’s not in the Major Conferences BCS (Bowl System).
In reading Dr. Thomas’ background, nothing suggests any specialized training for legal issues, including compliance. What is suggested, however, is a man who has only been involved in collegiate athletics at a Division III and Mid-Major levels his entire career, as a student, a terrible coach, and an Administrator who been stuck in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for over 30 years.
After further investigation, I have also discovered that Dr. Thomas has a history of complaints raised against him by other Universities that he has investigated.
With these facts in hand, GA Tech should have the grounds to appeal by saying they were investigated by someone who wasn’t qualified in the first place, due to his education, he didn’t have the requisite knowledge or experience necessary of even how a member institute such as the being investigated actually operates, so he couldn’t know their policies or procedures, and tried to implement his Mid-Major policies to the Major University during the course of the “investigation”.
Finally, I might suggest that, based on his past history, Dr. Thomas has shown a propensity to unfairly treat Major Universities and draw complaints and that there is a reasonable inference that he has a hidden agenda, as a Mid-Major Administrator, to make points against Major Universities.
Jacket Man
July 22nd, 2011
7:59 am
On a side note, take a peek at three of GA Tech’s new receivers standing next to one of GA Tech’s all time greats:
http://twitpic.com/5txkge
Just Guessing
July 22nd, 2011
7:59 am
Smart move because we got hammered for being first in line for new improved NCAA tough guy stance. An appeal moves the calendar for a final NCAA ruling until more is disclosed and perhaps penalties set for Tarheels, Ducks,Buckeyes and looking at our case for failure to suspend on “doubt”, Aubie.
Professor
July 22nd, 2011
8:20 am
Tech cheats & still can’t win. Won 13 games against GEORGIA since 1964.
Hal
July 22nd, 2011
8:22 am
DO What? Do what?
RambleOn84
July 22nd, 2011
8:27 am
I blame Paul Johnson for this…he is supposed to do his job of paying attention to every article of clothing every player wears, and ask them to provide receipts when they are wearing something new.
Everyone knows that Mark Richt does this; that is why his program is so squeaky clean.
The coach is responsible for micromanaging every player’s life and keeping constant tabs on him. Johnson needs to understand this.
I normally don’t agree with the UGA fans, but y’all are exactly right. Hopefully Johnson gets it through his head and we will stop our cheating ways and run a tight ship like Richt does up in Cowtown.
RambleOn84
July 22nd, 2011
8:29 am
Everyone knows it’s Johnson’s responsibility to keep a detailed log of what clothing each player is wearing every day. And when a player is wearing something new, it is imperative that Johnson makes them provide a receipt to prove they bought it themselves.
Johnson really dropped the ball on this one.
JM
July 22nd, 2011
8:59 am
The NCAA report says there was no evidence to show any of the players violated any rules. They were never declared ineligible. You can’t vacate games when nothing was in violation of the rules.
If the NCAA appeals committeee doesn’t change this ruling, its obvious that they have an agenda that is not fair. They can’t even follow its own rules.
T3
July 22nd, 2011
9:13 am
Ken:
You say “history” is not on GT’s side.
In fact, history is T-O-T-A-L-L-Y on GT’s side in this matter.
That you STILL cant see that is VERY stunniing and
can only be a reflection of ignorance that comes from being
young, inexperienced, and uninformed.
And again, your lack of objectivity is showing.
GT is going to prevail, and the ACC title will be restored
and 4 years probation will be eliminated.
wes
July 22nd, 2011
9:24 am
The worst thing they can do is say no.
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 22nd, 2011
9:34 am
1451 more days on probation.
Funny how when Tech gets caught cheating all 5 of their fans come on here ripping the NCAA.
Your not going to win the appeal and will just look dumber in the long run.
Its not like Tech doesn’t have a history. This is the second probation in the last 10 years.
The next one is going to be really bad.
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 22nd, 2011
9:35 am
Tech has turned into one of the dirtiest programs in college football.
Jacket Man
July 22nd, 2011
9:36 am
“RambleOn84;” are you being serious or are you just plain oblivious? Do you honestly believe a Head Football Coach should be responsible to know what clothing every player wears every day, meaning he must know the origin of where the clothes came from? Are you REALLY that ignorant or are you just trying to act the fool?
Regardless to your answer, no one should be willing show their ignorance without being totally
humiliated. It’s stupidity at it’s very best and not the least bit humorous if that was your attempt.
Tampa Wreck
July 22nd, 2011
9:41 am
Lighten up Jacket Man. It’s pretty plain to see that Ramble On was using sarcasm to demonstrate the insanity of this..
GTBrad
July 22nd, 2011
9:42 am
T3,
Don’t get your hopes up. I would just be happy for Tech to get their ACC championship game back, but I’m doubtful they’ll back down on any of their punishments.
Ken,
I could do my own research, but could you enlighten us a little more on the appeal process? Who in the NCAA reviews our appeals claim? Would they not be NCAA biased???
George Stein
July 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
Pretty sure Ramble was being facetious, Jacket Man.
Point out how Tech is dirty, Warcraft. I’m expecting crickets.
George Stein
July 22nd, 2011
10:25 am
Might want to learn the difference between your and you’re as well, Warcraft. Next time you wonder why we think some UGA fans are idiots, consider that.
politics
July 22nd, 2011
10:38 am
How can we be accused of not cooperating with “the” investigation when the NCAA came to Tech to investigate a completely separate violation?
politics
July 22nd, 2011
10:45 am
We are punished severely, so the NCAA can say that they punished a div 1 school in a major conference while at the same time not pissing off Big 10, SEC or Notre Dame fans. We are punished because we are a smaller and less vocal fan base. The NCAA can point their finger at this penalty and say “See we care about the rules.” They wouldn’t do it to Auburn or Ohio State and it took them 3 years and 24/7 ESPN coverage to come down on USC over Reggie Bush. They reinstate a kid who took a swing at another player DURING A GAME, and vacate a championship over a pair of pants. Yeah, NCAA=Justice.
GT
July 22nd, 2011
11:45 am
I just don’t think Tech is lying. I also don’t think people realize how “un football factory” Tech is. When you take the other schools in the “history being against them”, most “other schools” have a history of this kind of stuff Tech doesn’t. We bailed out of the SEC because we couldn’t compromise our recruiting years ago. Cost us millions. I know very little attention is paid to Tech, mainly because they are dull and run a program the way it is meant to be run. To put them in the mass of every other school in the NCAA shows the real lack of caring what good schools do and bad schools do. The press use to have a moral conscience, now it is what sells newspapers. Tech hires men like “Bud” Peterson and athletic director Dan Ravakovich because they are of the character to handle a tough academic environment like Tech not play nurse mate to a over indulged athletic program. This needs to be appealed so the uninformed like Bradley can see there are higher goals at Tech that are not just hot air. The men that lead Tech are not salesmen they are picked for the very traits that they are accused of not having. In fact I would take their word and interpretation over what I am hearing from the NCAA. It will be so black and white I can’t imagine Tech losing in open court without all this posturing by the NCAA. The NCAA showed up with a silly complaint they couldn’t prove it and they created a situation. The NCAA should be like a good ref. hardly noticed. If you had real information when you showed up this would have been handled differently. You probably drove by five schools getting to us that had much more reason to have a visit from the NCAA. Get real.
Coach Grohbo
July 22nd, 2011
12:04 pm
We won the appeal last time and the NCAA allowed the 1998-2002 wins to stand.
I like our chances.
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 22nd, 2011
12:09 pm
Point out how Tech is dirty, Warcraft. I’m expecting crickets.
Two major probation’s in ten Years. ( UGA has none over that same period )
Multiple occasions of using ineligible players etc etc etc
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 22nd, 2011
12:10 pm
Next time you wonder why we think some UGA fans are idiots, consider that.
Its an internet message board not a high school term paper dummy.
George Stein
July 22nd, 2011
12:41 pm
Says the guy who doesn’t understand the difference between your and you’re or, apparently, its and it’s.
The most recent violation was never proven. The punishment was a product of the fact that the NCAA had its (not it’s, dummy) feelings hurt.
Two violations in ten years doesn’t inherently make a program dirt. Heck, the NCAA intimated that the initial (unproven) violation was likely secondary in nature. How many secondary violations has UGA had THIS YEAR? Does that make them dirty? I don’t happen to think so, but apparently you would.
RambleOn84
July 22nd, 2011
1:01 pm
Lighten up, Francis…I didn’t think anyone could miss the heavy layer of sarcasm in my post, but you proved me wrong. Congratulations!
Get back to World of Warcraft, nerd
July 22nd, 2011
1:58 pm
The most recent violation was never proven.
Yes it was. You got fours years probation for it. 100,000 dollar fine. Loss of ACC Championship
That last one I would have let you keep. After all, what is an ACC championship worth really?
How many secondary violations has UGA had THIS YEAR?
A bunch. But no MAJOR VIOLATIONS LIKE TECH. Secondary violations are things like pocket dialing etc. Not deliberately coaching players answers and obstructing the NCAA like Tech.’
Big Difference. The NCAA knows it. Every other major institution knows it.
Your a Tech apologist so I don’t expect you to see the difference.
George Stein
July 22nd, 2011
2:10 pm
Ok, so you still don’t get the difference between your and you’re. Let me know when you learn that. Until then, I can’t take any of “you’re” comments seriously.
And try reading the report. You might – if you think really hard – find it troubling to your little puppy dogs, too as apparently a major infraction is hurting the NCAA’s feelings.
macrotech
July 22nd, 2011
7:08 pm
superDawg! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you on the boards…guess you finally got all that white-out scraped off your screen! My take on the appeal? I’m thinking…they came snooping around…didn’t find anything that should disqualify a player from playing…didn’t like that their request was idiotic at best (How does an AD ask a coach to bench a starter without ‘reason’ without damaging the important relationship needed in a AD/Coach?)…got frustrated and started throwing their weight around without merit…I’m thinking that an appeal is in order. I don’t think that there are many folk that side with your inane thoughts on the matter…dawg or not.
ps…what the heck is a “ganger”? Hope you have some more of that white-out handy…see you when you get it cleaned back up!!!
Ken Sugiura
July 23rd, 2011
9:20 pm
GTBrad – as I understand it, tech will have 30 days after it notifies the ncaa it wants to appeal to send in a written appeal. the infractions committee has 30 days after that to submit a rebuttal. tech will have 15 days after that to respond to the rebuttal. ncaa enforcement (investigators) will have 10 days after that for its own rebuttal. tech will have 10 days after that to respond to ncaa enforcement’s rebuttal.
i’m not clear if there’s an opportunity for an in-person hearing. i think you have to either go the written appeal route or the in-person hearing route, but i’m not positive.
the appeals committee is made up of five members, four of whom are present or former staff members of member schools or conferences and one non-academic. i think the current group is Christopher L. Griffin, Foley & Lardner LLP, chair; Jack Friedenthal, professor of law at George Washington University; William Hoye, executive vice president for administration, planning and legal affairs at the Institute for the International Education of Students; Patti Ohlendorf, vice president for
legal affairs at University of Texas at Austin; and David Williams, vice chancellor and general counsel at Vanderbilt University.
Since they’re not NCAA staff, you’d like to think they’re not predisposed to favor the NCAA. I asked Michael Buckner that and he said that he felt like the committee asks pointed questions of both the infractions committee and the appellants.
sorry this is so long.
T3 – help me out. what am i missing?
ugagdickweed
July 23rd, 2011
9:23 pm
what is it with you dippstick ugaggers? you KNOW GT didn’t do anything wrong – get jim harrick, jan kemp and red panty-man to explain to you idiots what the word ‘wrong’ means…or better yet, head on over to Athens PD and read the blotter…creeps.