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Jim Boeheim issues statement, expresses disappointment in NCAA’s findings

Jim Boeheim

AP

AP

The NCAA announced sanctions for rule violations committed by the Syracuse men’s basketball team on Friday afternoon. Syracuse will be on probation for five years, will vacate 108 wins and will lose 12 scholarships over a four-year period. Jim Boeheim will also be suspended for nine ACC games next year.

Boeheim responded the NCAA’s report on Friday night (via Stephen Bailey of Post-Standard):

“Initially I would like to express relief that the NCAA’s unparalleled eight-year investigation of the University and the men’s basketball program is finally over. As I expressed at the committee on infractions hearing, I acknowledged that violations occurred within the men’s basketball program, and as the head coach of the program, I take those violations very seriously. That being said, I am disappointed in many of the findings and conclusions as stated in the infractions report.

The committee chose to ignore the efforts which I have undertaken over the past 37 years to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the men’s basketball program. Instead they chose to focus on the rogue and secretive actions of a former employee of the local YMCA and my former director of basketball operations in order to impose an unprecedented series of penalties upon the university and the men’s basketball program.

Much is made in the infractions report regarding the actions of a former employee of the local YMCA. As I explained to the committee, this individual was not someone who was allowed unique access to the men’s basketball program. This was a highly regarded individual who worked for one of the most respected organizations in the country.

I cannot think of a place where I would rather have my student-athletes spend their free time than a community YMCA. My coaches and I knew and trusted this man, and he was thoroughly vetted by the office of athletic compliance before he was permitted to interact with our student-athletes.

If the committee is correct that this individual abused the trust that had been placed in him by the YMCA, the university, and me, then I am deeply disappointed.”


It was reported earlier on Friday that Boeheim will appeal the ruling.

Syracuse’s 2014-15 season will end on Saturday afternoon, as the program announced a self-imposed postseason ban back in February.

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