Tuesday brought word of Boise State’s response to an NCAA inquiry that alleged violations committed by five of its sports, including its flagship football program.
Wednesday we learn by way of the Idaho Statesman that the school has slapped itself on the wrist rather hard in the hopes of appeasing the NCAA henchmen.
According to the Statesman, BSU has self-imposed sanctions that include three fewer preseason practices -- going from 29 to 26 ahead of the season opener against Michigan State -- as well as stripping themselves of three football scholarships over the next two years. Additionally, the paper writes, the school issued a letter of education to football coach Chris Petersen and his coaching staff.
The secondary violations, which were initially found by BSU’s compliance staff and self-reported to the NCAA, stems from 63 incoming players receiving impermissible benefits that totaled just over $4,900. The benefits involved, the school stated in its official response to the NCAA inquiry, “impermissible housing, transportation or meals, where an incoming student-athlete was provided a place to sleep (often on a couch or floor), a car ride or was provided free food by an existing student-athlete.”
The “services” rendered ranged from $2.34 to $417.55. All $4,934 has been reimbursed by the five dozen or so players involved.
“I definitely think it was a misunderstanding on the part of the coaches. They didn’t realize those were even violations,” Boise State President Bob Kustra said.
“We’ll talk to the coaches about this. You can’t do anything without first asking a question of the compliance officer as to whether or not it’s permissible under NCAA rules. We can’t make assumptions anymore, given the technicalities of the NCAA rules.”