By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Indianapolis, IN

The NCAA has inflicted on Central Florida a one-year bowl ban and one-year men's basketball tournament ban for recruiting violations in football and basketball.

The NCAA's committee on infractions said this case involved outside third-parties or so-called "runners" with prospects and student-athletes in football and men's basketball.

"What was troubling is that the Central Florida staff members knew and encouraged it during the recruiting process," said Greg Sankey, a member of the COI and the COO of the SEC.

According to Sankey, the NCAA alleged that runner Ken Caldwell and Brandon Bender tried to help get players to UCF, including six men's basketball and five football prospects.

The allegations indicated former UCF athletic director Keith Tribble was involved in trying to land jobs for recruits.

Tribble, who resigned in November, received a three-year show cause penalty and cannot contact by phone or in person any prospective recruit. No sanctions were levied against football coach George O'Leary.

"There needs to be constant vigilance in this area when caution flag arises," Sankey said, adding that Tribble gave "false and misleading information."

The one-year ban could allow leading scorer Keith Clanton to leave immediately under NCAA rules. Clanton, who averaged 14.5 points a game, could transfer and play immediately if the postseason ban is equal to his remaining eligibility.

The team's second-leading scorer, senior Marcus Jordan (13.7 ppg), could also leave and play for other squads immediately.

A C-USA official said players can transfer within the conference as long as they notify the school of the recruitment.

Central Florida's football team went 5-7 (3-5 C-USA) last season. Seniors on the football team would also be able to leave immediately and transfer without having to sit out a year, because of a longstanding NCAA rule.

Other penalties levied to UCF are reduced scholarships in both football and basketball in the next three year and a fine of $50,000 payable to the NCAA when the compliance report is due on Sept. 15, 2012.

 

 

Central Florida Receives One-Year Football and Basketball NCAA Ban