INDIANAPOLIS, June 23 (UPI) -- The men's basketball team at Baylor University Thursday was hit with five years probation after the NCAA said it found multiple intentional violations.
The findings of the Division I Committee on Infractions will leave the Big 12 program on probation through 2010.
The school said the violations include impermissible benefits and financial assistance paid to student-athletes and prospects; impermissible recruiting inducements, contacts and tryouts involving prospects; more than $100,000 in impermissible donations funneled to amateur teams comprising prospects, and failure to follow procedures for reporting banned drug use.
The school will have to play a shortened season either this year or next, but will be allowed to decide which. It will not play non-conference games, will remain eligible for post-season competition and will be able to play Big 12 Conference games.
The lenient penalties came after the committee's investigation of violations that occurred under former coach Dave Bliss. The committee concluded that Bliss and members of his staff committed intentional violations, and attempts were made to cover up those violations by providing inaccurate information and falsifying documents.
