Our rivals in Upstate South Carolina have quietly reported 12 NCAA secondary violations. The violations were reported Friday, and occurred between February and July 15.
Purpose of this is to bring them to the surface because if this was USC a lot more media pundits would be weighing in and creating a cloud of doubt.
These are just facts below and here they are listed out:
—In March, a Clemson coach overheard players discussing their spring break trip to Miami and visiting former teammates training there. The athletic department’s compliance department later found out that two athletes stayed in a hotel room paid for by the former teammate’s agent at a cost of $379 plus tax per night. The two were made to pay back their share of the bill, donating $76 each to charity.
—An audit found out that Clemson athletes living away from campus received $1 to $2 more than they should have. All were declared ineligible but will have their status restored when they pay back the nominal fee.
—A coach allowed a prospective student athlete to shadow him for a day in February. The violation was discovered when the coach took the young person to show him the compliance office. The coach was given a refresher on NCAA rules.
—The NCAA found a Clemson prospect participated in organized competition past the one-year grace period given after high school graduation. The athlete was declared ineligible and was reinstated by the NCAA.
—A staff member purchased a textbook valued at $85.50 for a student-athlete; the problem was that the athlete was taking the class “at a local technical college,” not Clemson.
—The ACC office contacted Clemson after an article indicated that a head coach was present at a recruit’s high school during the spring evaluation period; turns out the coach was on campus at a booster club meeting, where the school surprised them by retiring their high school jersey.
—The NCAA discovered a Clemson prospect was paid for playing in organized competition. He had his eligibility reinstated on the conditions that he would be charged a season of competition and repay the cost of the impermissible benefit, $333, to a local charity.
—Another prospect recruited by Clemson was found by the NCAA to have played five games as a professional. The prospect’s eligibility will be restored if the recruit sits out next season.
—A prospect heading for an official visit to Clemson had their car break down and called a coach for help because there was a toddler in the vehicle. Clemson’s compliance office called the Atlantic Coast Conference office and, after consulting with the NCAA enforcement staff, was allowed to let a non-coaching staff employee pick the family about 5 miles away in Pendleton. The prospect was asked to pay back $2.66 in mileage costs.
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The above violations were a mix of Level 1 and Level 2 violations. No names of players and/or coaches were released.
Again not judging or trying to make a point, simply trying to make sure people know about these as it seems some media outlets treat USC and Clemson slightly different.
