UPDATE: Tech vacates 2009 ACC title, gets 4 years’ probation
Let the record reflect that Buzz the Bee declined to comment. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
UPDATE: Georgia Tech has to vacate its 2009 ACC championship and has been placed on probation through 2015 by the NCAA. Tech has also been fined $100,000.
First, let me emphasize that Georgia Tech folks are being very quiet about this. Nobody in any official capacity wants to speak ahead of the NCAA’s teleconference at 3 p.m. (Tech president Bud Peterson and AD Dan Radakovich will offer the Institute’s response at a 4:30 briefing.) That said …
I have attempted to sniff around. And here’s what I’ve been led to believe:
• Nobody is getting fired.
• No scholarships will be lost.
• There will be no postseason ban.
Let me also emphasize this: Tech folks are expecting a significant hit. And now you’re asking: If the significant hit doesn’t take the form of firings/scholarships/bans, what could it be?
The only things that spring to mind — and let me stress this is me speculating — are a possible forfeiture of some weight, and/or the application of the dreaded “lack of institutional control” label on the Tech athletic department. Then again, I could be way wrong. (Wouldn’t be the first time.)
Esteemed colleague Doug Roberson has written on the AJC’s Tech blog that the violations themselves aren’t believed to be major but Tech’s cooperation might have been, at least in the NCAA’s eyes, less than rigorous. (Mr. Roberson has also reported that both Demaryius Thomas and Morgan Burnett, members of the 2009 ACC championship team, have denied receiving improper benefits.)
And that’s all I know at the moment. I wish I knew more. But we’ll all get the picture very soon. Stay tuned, won’t you?
By Mark Bradley
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198 comments Add your comment
Brett McMurphy
July 14th, 2011
2:39 pm
Some rumors on here about an Escalade, twitter world is a buzz (pardon the pun) with Joe Schad’s comments on the investigation.
Only confirmation thus far is Tech cheated and will accordingly vacate its 2009 ACC Championship.
ASG = JERKS
July 14th, 2011
2:41 pm
at the fish fry…”I have a very urgent message…CANNONBALL”
Reggie Ball
July 14th, 2011
2:42 pm
Georgia’s Georgia dog, they’re merely a speedbump.
As Coach Johnson said we got bigger fish to fry.
Bill
July 14th, 2011
2:42 pm
Anyone think CJ spiller never received any improper benefits that year? LOL
ASG = JERKS
July 14th, 2011
2:42 pm
Seriously, word on the street GTU is no longer 2009 ACC Champs.
Yup, it's official...
July 14th, 2011
2:44 pm
CBS Sports reports Georgia Tech will vacate 2009 ACC title:
Georgia Tech will also vacate other wins, besides the ACC title game, during the 2009 season, a source said.
Georgia Tech’s penalties include using ineligible student athletes during the 2009 season. Two of those student athletes involved are former wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and defensive back Morgan Burnett. Thomas was a first round pick in the 2010 NFL draft and Burnett was a third-round selection.
PAUL JOHNSON
July 14th, 2011
2:45 pm
OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS GARBAGE ANYWAY, WHO CARES!
ASG = JERKS
July 14th, 2011
2:46 pm
Do that mean the DAWGS lose their ACC Championship too?
JB
July 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
I thought after that emotional night of Willie Martinez last Game at UGA and we ran pretty good on them and won, They would give us the trophy. We seem to have trouble winning the big one ( SEC) we;ll take the win over Tech’s best team in 20 years and proudly display the trophy in Athens.
the Truth
July 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
GT has got to come up with some “joke” majors to stick their football players in. Business Administration is the easiest major at GT and, while it is not really all that diffucult, it is many times harder that most jock majors at major college contenders.
DaboSwinney
July 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
Nah, ASG – the Dawgs and Cocks can retain their ACC Championship banners from 2009 for beating the Jackets and Tigers anyways.
GT booster..
July 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
Outside observer….
This not a Mythical National Championship awarded by the BCS Coalition (i.e. not sanctioned by the NCAA). This was an NCAA sanctioned conference championship game. The NCAA has every right (and prior precedence) to force GT to forfeit the game and award the 2009 ACC Championship to Clemson. It’s happened several times at various NCAA levels and in various NCAA sports….
really JB?
July 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
Guys, it’s simple why JB, Big Macon Dawg are on here: They loathe Tech. That’s all it is. They need some since of happiness because they love it when bad things happen to Tech, which is few and far between.
The Hive
July 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
Not happy about this. Not at all. I blame Chan Gailey! We won that ACC title fair & square.
NCAA is a joke
July 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
With all the nonsense and rumurs surrounding Auburn, Ohio State, etc in the last 18 months or so, I lost all respect for the NCAA as a governing body when I read that UGA got a slap on the wrist for the “missing man formation” during Isiah Crowells recruiting trip. I could not believe then and still cannot believe that that is the best way for these clowns to spend their time. Bring an whatever they have for Georgia Tech, I just consider the source.
Kevin McGuire
July 14th, 2011
2:50 pm
Good god, I hadn’t even read what Joe Schad tweeted. We’ll see what else comes out of this 3PM announcement!
JB
July 14th, 2011
2:51 pm
What about the Rings then?They are now phony. Boy, this ought to shut the holier than thou crowd down for a while at Tech. Did Johnson know this?
gdawginkalamazoo
July 14th, 2011
2:53 pm
Hire Jim Tressel, he now consults on these NCAA “thingys”. At least that’s what his business card calls them.
Max Cady
July 14th, 2011
2:53 pm
Who cares about stripping an old title? You live in the past, you die little each day.
http://i.imgur.com/JbC6J.jpg
Blazerdawg
July 14th, 2011
2:53 pm
For heavan’s sake, we do not even know what the allegations are yet. I hate it when either UGA or GT have a compliance or discipline issue because both schools are excellent, cooperative, and try to handle their business the right way; and the students in all of these programs are very dedicated. It is great to see some Jacket fans taken down a notch, but I hope that whatever the infraction is that it is minor.
Bill Curry
July 14th, 2011
2:54 pm
The NCAA has once again brought the cheaters to their knees.
RJ Voorhees
July 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/29532522/30613412
JB
July 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
No really JB…………….The real reason is the vile crap we read daily on our blogs about our University, Our coach, our players from the low life garbage nerds that troll our blogs ALL DAY LONG. The superior attitude. Well, guess what. Look in the mirror. Cheating at Tech.
workinDawg
July 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
Man, Tech even sux at cheating…LOL.
slydog
July 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
1. Once again: You cannot bring up Cam Newton’s name without bringing up Taylor Martinez. If you are a GA resident (or a native) and live in Atlanta, GET OVER IT and get behind Cam, except when playing the Falcons. How many thousands and thousands of college players, even golfers and vollyball players, have received pay for play? Would you refuse payment if it was your son? i suspect 5 out 100 would say no.
2. NCAA is a nice name for TV and marketing, to give the appearance that someone is governing collegiate athletics. They need to start at the top and then call Tech last.
a. Ohio State, b. Texas, c. Oregon, d. LSU, e. Michigan (again), f. Clemson, g. Auburn
David Shaw
July 14th, 2011
2:56 pm
Blzerdawg, the allegations are against Thomas and Burnett improperly receiving the use of a Cadillac Escalade, also minor infractions of receiving apparel and jewelry including Rolex watches.
This is THEIR fault and not the fault of the University.
Ramblinwreck83
July 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
Just think. If the NCAA does this to Tech, then God only knows what will happen when they come hard for UGA. It’s gonna be a bad day.
headley lamar
July 14th, 2011
2:58 pm
Tech today.
Auburn tomorrow.
superDawg
July 14th, 2011
2:58 pm
10–9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2–1 BOOM!
SquirmingJacket
July 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
Does anybody have a link to the NCAA sanctions press conference? I gotta see if this stuff Joe Schad said is true!
big john 360 lbs
July 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
This is the first time Tech has made headlines in 2yrs. Way to go Jackets-not the way to steal the show.
superDawg
July 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
Hey macriod.
NCAA is a joke
July 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
Come what may, it’s still great to be a Yellow Jacket!!!!
JB
July 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
Ramblinwreck83…………….Just like a Techie to scream ” they do it to” As that cold, heavy,rusty prison door slams shut…LOL
headley lamar
July 14th, 2011
3:00 pm
Is the death penalty possible here???
This was serious before but now they are saying Tech didn’t cooperate
That makes it really really really serious.
NCAA tends to drop the hammer when that happens.
Ty
July 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
What did schad say?
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
July 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
If the NCAA can’t find anything on Auburn, then for sure gt is safe.
SquirmingJacket
July 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
Looks like NCAA may just drop the hammer after all since cheating involved not only football but basketball as well.
GOLDNWHITEFORLIFE
July 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
JB, that was actually funny lol. Kudos from a Techie
Brox
July 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
So what do I do with my Acc champ t shirt?
Jacket Man
July 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
•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 $100,000 financial penalty.
•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, which is when the university was alerted to the potential eligibility issues
Kev the GEEK
July 14th, 2011
3:03 pm
We’re so screwed! We only won six games last year, so we’re not giving up anything significant there. I think I kick my dog. Hold me Babsy, I’m gonna cry!
Josten's
July 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
Uh… for the last time Paul Johnson, NO! You cannot return the rings from 3 years ago.
JB
July 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
Have you ever heard Johnson at a press conference? Does it surprise anybody they didn’t cooperate?
He’s pretty much an arrogant pompous a$$…… probably told the NCAA he had bigger fish to fry I’m sure.
SquirmingJacket
July 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
BOOOM! The hammer has dropped. The report has been published and the sanctions have been leveled.
gdawginkalamazoo
July 14th, 2011
3:05 pm
Looks like Hines Ward will be dancing with Barney next. Learning those ABC’s.
uppity dawg
July 14th, 2011
3:05 pm
Sess Pool, learn to spell, and hurry up with those french fries.
Jacket Man
July 14th, 2011
3:05 pm
Specifically, the student-athlete received several items of clothing, valued at approximately $312, from a friend of a sports agency employee. Rather than declaring the student-athlete ineligible, the university allowed him to compete in the three final contests of the 2009-10 football season, including the conference championship game and bowl competition.
Note the player apparently dealt with a friend of the agent, and my understanding is the athlete has stated he didn’t know of the relationship.
$100,000 financial penalty?
July 14th, 2011
3:06 pm
Tech athletics are ALREADY in the red and bleeding out more money each and every day.
Ramblinwreck83
July 14th, 2011
3:06 pm
JB,
What i was saying is that if they will go after Tech, then don’t be suprised if they go after UGA. The NCAA has been on a head hunting campaign. UGA has been in the media alot the last two years. I’m just saying. No fact to support the claim, but I think alot of people including UGA fans were suprised the NCAA went after Tech. Most people had no idea.