The NCAA and Syracuse University's appeal process is over. The Orange will regain one scholarship, pay half of the original fine, but still vacate 101 wins from the program.
In a statement released by Syracuse University's Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Kevin Quinn, the NCAA and Syracuse University's appeals case has come to a conclusion.
The Syracuse Orange Men's Basketball team will regain one scholarship per year over the next four years. This means the Orange will now have only be docked two scholarships over four years instead of the original three over four years. The NCAA will uphold the decision to vacate 101 wins, the second largest amount in history. Finally, the NCAA erred in it's fine of Syracuse University and will only fine the school $1.23 million instead $2.675 million because math is hard.
***
So there's a lot to digest there in terms of the NCAA ignoring it's 155 day limit, the real value of vacating wins, etc. We still don't know about Jim Boeheim's appeal of his nine game suspension because, again, math is hard for these guys.
Quinn's full statement is below.
"Today, the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee issued its decision in response to Syracuse University's appeal of the sanctions imposed on the University on March 6, 2015. The University submitted its appeal on March 20, 2015.
"The appeal decision resulted in the reduction of a significant penalty. The Infractions Appeals Committee ruled that the University will gain back one men's basketball scholarship per year over the next four years. This will result in a total reduction of 8 scholarships over 4 years (2 per year from 2015-16 through 2018-19), rather than 12.
"In addition, even before the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee issued its decision, the University won a significant victory by achieving a $1.23 million reduction in the financial penalty previously imposed. In formulating its appeal, the University discovered the NCAA Committee on Infractions had incorrectly penalized it by requiring the forfeiture of monies received from the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The Committee on Infractions acknowledged the error and corrected its earlier decision by reducing the financial penalty.
"The University is pleased with these two positive outcomes resulting from our appeal. We strongly believed the original scholarship reduction penalty was too severe when compared to other infraction cases. Also, the scholarship reduction penalty directly impacts current and future student-athletes and their academic and athletic opportunities. We remain disappointed in the decision to vacate a significant amount of men's basketball wins, a decision that was upheld.
"Although the appellate panel did not grant every one of our requests, it recognized there was merit in our appeal. We simply sought to be judged according to the same standards as other institutions, and we did our best to achieve that goal. Regardless of today's outcome, our top priority is to give our student-athletes the best possible education and teach them how to achieve their highest potential in the classroom and on the playing fields. We look forward to a bright future for all of our student-athletes and teams."
