By Russ Brown
NKyTribune correspondent
LOUISVILLE — Continuing to try and stay ahead of the current NCAA investigation into a sex scandal and any possible sanctions from that organization, the University of Louisville administration has imposed additional penalties on its men’s basketball program.
The school had already issued a self-imposed ban on this year’s NCAA Tournament and president James Ramsey announced in a statement Wednesday that it is stripping itself of two scholarships and two official visits in the coming years.
The additional penalties:
*Reducing by two the number of scholarships awarded (one in 2017-18, and one in 2018-19) from the NCAA maximum of 13.
*Reducing recruiting opportunities immediately (days coaching staff may recruit) by 30, missing 24 this month and the remaining six in July. That is a reduction of approximately 24 percent.
*Reducing official visits by two (one in 2016-17, and one in 2017-18).
“After much deliberation, the University believes that self-imposing these penalties is appropriate,” outside legal counsel Steve Thompson said in the U of L release. “While the University could elect to wait until the infractions process is complete, those consulted agree that these penalties are consistent with NCAA legislation, and imposing these penalties now is the right thing to do and may advance the University’s goal of expediting resolution of this matter.”
U of L’s statement called the decision to impose the new penalties “difficult” and said it was reached through a collaborative process. It said President Ramsey has received input from Thompson, its NCAA compliance and infractions counsel; its lead investigator and NCAA consultant Chuck Smrt of The Compliance Group; the University’s special investigative committee; Director of Athletics Tom Jurich; and coach Rick Pitino.
There was no indication that the latest sanctions are the result of any additional violations discovered during the ongoing NCAA probe. U of L’s self-imposed postseason ban was announced on Feb. 5.
The school’s statement said in part:
“As a member of the NCAA, the University takes its responsibility for NCAA compliance seriously, and has cooperated with the NCAA in an effort to close this difficult chapter as soon as possible consistent with NCAA enforcement procedures. Under NCAA rules, the University is not able to discuss the investigation or the facts developed to date, but looks forward to doing so at the conclusion of the NCAA enforcement process.
“Although the investigation is on-going, the University has elected proactively to self-impose certain penalties consistent with NCAA legislation. . .
“In addition, the University’s athletics department is working on implementing additional corrective measures to improve its oversight of the men’s basketball program and ensure continuing compliance with NCAA and ACC Rules. While the athletics department has a strong history of and commitment to compliance, the University looks to strengthen its procedures wherever possible; these additional measures will be designed to promote communication and transparency, prevent future violations before they occur, and make clear to the University community that violations of NCAA legislation will not be tolerated.”
The statement concluded that, consistent with NCAA rules, the school would have no further comment on the matter until the NCAA investigation is concluded.