‘Noles Hear From NCAA, Public Won’t

The Florida State athletic program finally has heard from the NCAA regarding the appeal of recent sanctions, but the results will remain private until the university has a chance to make their rebuttal to the decision.FSU has 15 days to respond to the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions.The university is attempting to reverse the vacating of wins penalty levied by the NCAA that affected various athletic programs, including up to 14 victories that could potentially affect head coach Bobby Bowden in his race with Joe Paterno to become Div. 1’s all-time winningest coach.However, there’s a chance that, if the NCAA agrees to keep the victories in the books, the school could suffer other sanctions in its place, up to and including the loss of additional scholarships.For those interested, here’s the official press release from FSU announcing this latest development:As expected, the response by the Committee on Infractions to Florida State University’s appeal of one of the penalties recommended in the academic misconduct case was submitted to the NCAA today (Tuesday). Florida State University was notified via attached correspondence that the submission had been filed.Florida State University also learned today that information from the Enforcement Staff and the Committee on Infractions is, by NCAA procedure, posted on a secure NCAA custodial website. The NCAA’s site does not allow for the submission to be downloaded or printed, nor will Florida State University be sent a paper copy. Florida State’s outside counsel will be able to access the NCAA’s secure website in a read only manner. Florida State University General Counsel Betty Steffens will work with FSU’s outside counsel to prepare a rebuttal to the response by the Committee on Infractions. The rebuttal, which FSU will make public with certain adjustments due to state and federal privacy laws, is due to the NCAA Appeals Committee by June 17, 2009.