Pac-10 meetings held August 21 and 22 are expected to rule on 31 alleged NCAA rule violations made by players or boosters associated with the UW football program. The University did not contest 17 of the allegations at an infractions committee review held Aug. 9-11 in San Francisco.
A Pac-10 report released June 25 grouped the allegations in seven categories. None of the violations implicated coaches or administrators at the UW.
The seven categories were:
The Hobert loan allegedly broke NCAA rules about giving loans based on a student-athlete’s potential as a professional. Moore and Kenyon were accused of hiring players or prospective players and paying them above-average wages or requiring little actual work. Mead and his son were accused of improper contact with recruits, including providing gifts and money. Heckman was accused of improper recruiting tactics.
The University conceded allegations regarding the Hobert loan, lack of institutional control in accounting for player recruitment funds, and several of the charges against boosters and players. Attorneys for the boosters, however, have disputed most of the allegations against their clients.
The conference’s infractions committee did not make public any of its recommendations on possible sanctions after it adjourned August 11. The committee was chaired by Jerry Kingston of Arizona State; other members included Barbara Walker of Oregon, Dutch Baughman of Oregon State and Jerry Porras of Stanford.
As Columns went to press, it was unclear what sanctions might be imposed by the Pac-10 at the end of the probe. Penalties could range from the loss of some future scholarships to a ban on postseason bowl games and/or television appearances. Any TV ban would not go into effect until 1994.
The 30-member Pac-10 Council will review findings of its compliance committee on August 21. The next day Pac-10 presidents and chancellors will hold a telephone conference call for the final resolution of the investigation. The NCAA is expected to confirm any Pac-10 decision.
“The University of Washington takes these allegations very seriously,” President William P. Gerberding said in a June 25 statement to the press. “I wish to emphasize again that we are determined to do everything possible to ensure that our intercollegiate athletic program abides by the rules. The well-being of our student-athletes and the reputation of this excellent university are at stake, and we have taken and will take appropriate action swiftly and with determination.”