The University of South Carolina has received an offical letter from the NCAA concerning “notice of allegations.”
This stems from extra benefits provided by the Whitney Hotel to student athletes totaling $47,000, S.A.M foundation activity with Kevin Lahn and Steve Gordon and some improper contact from track coaches.
Here is the letter –
http://www.sc.edu/ncaaresponse/NOA.pdf
Their are 12 students mentioned in the letter and they are made up of 10 football players and 2 women track athletes.
The bad news is the NCAA letter tells USC it is subject to ‘repeat violater’ status due to rules violations in November of 2005.
Jamie Blevins, manager of the Whitney Hotel, has been dissaociated as has Kevin Lahn from the University.
This all began in the later portion of the Summer of 2010 so it looks like this is getting closer to being settled.
USC must file its response by Dec. 14, according to the letter and the University could face the infractions committee in Feb. 2012.
Here is a statement from the University –
“The University will review the notice and respond accordingly. I assure you that we will continue to take all aspects of this investigation very seriously,” University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides said. “We are prepared to continue to work with the NCAA to resolve any issues.”
“We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the NCAA in all aspects of their review,” said Athletics Director Eric Hyman. “Any pertinent information from the NCAA that can help us strengthen our athletics program will be used as an opportunity to make positive change.”
More on this as it develops but for now do what we are doing and read the letter.
