However, the official notice of allegations from the NCAA, dated last Friday and received by OU on Monday, did not reveal significant new allegations of rule violations within the football program.
"There are no surprises,” OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said in a statement released Monday by OU.
But in addition to alleging former players Rhett Bomar, J.D. Quinn and Jermaine Hardison were paid for work they did not perform at Big Red Sports and Imports, the NCAA enforcement staff said OU failed to "adequately monitor” the employment of football players at the car dealership — an allegation OU will contest.
OU officials said they would have no further comment. But in response to the notice of allegations, OU on Monday announced self-imposed penalties — most of which already had been made known.
The NCAA's investigation began last summer, after OU self-reported violations involving Bomar, a quarterback, and Quinn, an offensive lineman. Bomar and Quinn were dismissed from the program after OU discovered they had been overpaid $7,406.88 and $8,137.17, respectively, for hours they did not work at Big Red Sports and Imports.
OU is scheduled for a hearing with the Committee on Infractions on April 14 in Indianapolis — not quite a year after a hearing with the committee regarding major rules violations committed in the men's basketball program.
Last May, OU was placed on a two-year probation as a result of that investigation, which mainly concerned 577 improper telephone calls to recruits by former coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff.
In addition to the dismissals of Bomar and Quinn, other penalties self-imposed by OU in response to the current investigation include:
•OU did not re-award the two scholarships, which would have been available. In effect, this amounted to a reduction of scholarships.
•OU will reduce by one the number of football coaches allowed to recruit off-campus during the 2007 fall evaluation period.
•OU prohibited athletes from working at Big Red through at least the 2008-09 school year.
•OU disassociated a booster from the program for at least five years. Although the school's release did not name former Big Red general manager Brad McRae, he was Bomar's and Quinn's supervisor.
In the notice of allegations, the NCAA enforcement staff charges another player was overpaid by Big Red. Although the name was redacted from documents obtained by The Oklahoman through an open-records request, other sources confirmed it was Hardison, a former walk-on receiver.
Hardison's employment also was investigated by OU and reported to the NCAA last August, but the school concluded it wasn't sure whether he had been overpaid. He was dismissed from the team last August for unspecified reasons.
The NCAA enforcement staff also alleged OU failed to "adequately monitor” the employment of football players at the car dealership from Feb. 2005 to March 2006. According to the enforcement staff, OU "failed to follow established institutional procedures … when it did not collect gross earning statements for” 12 football players who worked at Big Red during the summer of 2005. Also, OU did not know that some football players worked at Big Red during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years. In the statement, Castiglione said the school believed the allegation OU failed to adequately monitor employment "is not warranted.”
"The NCAA does not appear to be contesting the speed of our response or the action that we took,” Castiglione said. "I think any school would agree that monitoring practices can always be improved, and we constantly seek to improve our practices, but we also recognize that it was our staff that originally uncovered and reported the violations that had occurred.”
In the recent basketball investigation, OU successfully contested the enforcement staff's allegation of a "lack of institutional control.” The Committee on Infractions instead found OU guilty of the lesser charge of "failure in monitoring.”
In the release Monday, OU noted the NCAA enforcement staff's current allegation of failing to adequately monitor football players' employment is "a more limited allegation than ‘failure to monitor.'”
OU must submit a response to the notice of allegations to members of the Committee on Infractions by March 8.
In the statement, Castiglione said OU was “eager to move forward toward the conclusion of this matter.”
“We believe the system worked in this case,” Castiglione said. “We have demonstrated our continuing commitment to incorporate industry ‘best practices.’ … Our message is clear: OU will never compromise its high ethical standards or its integrity. While no system can stop all willful and intentionally concealed violations, we will always take appropriate action consistent with both NCAA rules and what we stand for as an institution.”
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This is a big deal beacuse it is Oklahoma and who it involved (the starting qb). Much worse has happened elsewhere & it will continue to happen. I till don't see much on the Reggie Bush situation. My family is upper middle class. If I moved into a significantly nicer home people would say good for you. If I moved into a home fit for Shaq or even a coach who makes 3 million a year, people would turn me into the drug task force. The situation at USC is much worse than $15,000.
Pointless arguments...Every D1 school cheats and pay's players under the table, whether your talking about OU, OSU, or any other major college program. The school may not be the one paying the players, but the boosters always have their dirty hands in it. OSU fans cannot tell me there are not players making money somewhere at OSU...just think about it, and not to knock OSU, but why else would someone want to move to Stillwater, OK to play football or even better basketball. For that matter, what does Norman/OKC area have to entice kids from Florida, California, Texas, etc...The best players usually aren't in it for the "education" and we are just lieing to ourselves if we think they are not getting money, and why shouldn't they get money? College football is one of the biggest money maker's out there, and the kids who do the work legally can't get a kick back (other than free college). Boone Pickens and the Gaylord Family can drop hundred's of millions on stadiums, but it is those young kids who fill the seats and make the big bucks, I could care less if any of them are getting $8,000 here or there. They deserve it, University's thrive financially off of these kids and make grown men millionaires in return for a free education. If you take OU's stadium seating average at 84,000 and say ticket's are $55.00 dollars with seven home games a year that is, 32 million dollars just made off ticket prices, not including parking, concessions, programs, etc, away games, and bowl games. You are looking at close to 80-100 million a year made by these kid's. If you figure a college education at $80,000 for four years and paying that for 65 players that is still only, 5 million payed out over a four year period. So OU makes 320 million over 4 years and pay's out 5 million in scholarships, wow, great trade off. Do I really care if a player got $8,000 in a handout when the University makes that kind of money off them...I sure don't! And if we were 18 year old kids offered extra money when we needed it, we wouldn't either!
People need to back off Michael.. Isn't saying Brad McRae was not named as booster disassociated media code for he's the booster disassociated? Really, are you defending a dude that did a 30 minute " Dealership Commercial / Football talk show " where he and that cowboy from Pro " Rastlin'" sat in lawn chairs in a back yard and shared fond memories of OU football? It aired at like 01:00am by the way.
Bomar and Quinn alike, will finish school elsewhere. D1 or not the point is it will not be at OU and I am sure that at some point in their lives they will see a lesson in all this.
And I am with those who have the opinion that you cant do anything about this until you catch it. THen take action on the involved athletes and boosters. What is the big deal... I'm sure plenty of OSU athletes have bought cut bait at discount rates.
The University of Oklahoma is indeed a great and historic program. Besides the penalties from the NCAA that the university has received, they still maintain a good working order. However, this cannot continue if OU is going to be considered one of the top programs in the country. They have been beating in state rival Oklahoma State in some sports and seem to dominate in most people minds, yet OSU has less violations and more NCAA National Championships. OU needs to focus on their intergrity and winnning championships in something other than football.
I find it real hard to believe the ignorance of someone who writes we don't act like rules apply to OU when we self reported the violations and discharged our #1 quarterback along with a host of other penalties self imposed. Hey Mark, get beyound yourself and wake up.
It always amuses me to see the extemist views on these things.I think the OU athletic department took the proper action when they discovered the violations.I would say that SMU is maybe the most penalized program.I know they are the only school to receive the death penalty and still have not recovered.I wonder if some people in the NCAA are still sore about Switzer and OU taking them to court over games on TV.Anyone who is a college football fan should thank OU and Goergia for that lawsuit, Remember when there were only maybe 2 games on TV on a Saturday?Boomer Sooner
The total program is out of control and the University of Oklahoma seems to act like the rules do not apply to them. Since OU is the most penalized program in NCAA history, you would think that they might try to have some institutional control of their athletic programs.
The Accountablilty of the OU football program is still intact and going forward. The character of the staff is very visible to all, including the media. I think that OU is on the right road to getting these little glitches in proper order. I think that if you are an OU fan and support them then we need to show and tell.
This is to all OU and OSU fans, I am proud of both schools, my daughter graduated from OU my husband from OSU, I think Oklahoma has 2 of the best schools around and I think everyone should appreciate the talent both schools brings to this state, just look at our programs, maybe 1 school is better in a certain sport than the other, but both schools has something to offer and thats something this state should be proud of, its funny we come together in a crisis but when it comes to some silly ball game people are ready to attack each other, Now thats what i call stupid.
i think alittle bantering between schools is ok but when it comes down to people down right fighting, throwing stuff on each other is crazy .So grow up both OU and OSU fans we are a State that stands together not apart, it's good to be proud of your school, but "Remember" how we act towards each other is watched by other State schools and they like when both of our schools are at each other, theses boys that get out and play ever saturday durning football season and the ones that play durning basketball season is doing this for our enjoyment, they dont get a big fat pay check, so lets remember the next time they are playing and happen to make a bad pass or a catch, not scream and yell at them just remember they have feeling to and are trying to do the best they can at that time...we are not perfect so why should we always think they should be? WE ARE A GREAT STATE LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY!!
The only thing that OU has made a mistake on in this process is, in my opinion, not re-awarding the scholarships. While it might "punish" the football program to some degree it really punishes two kids who could have gone to school. The reality is that the VAST majority of students in any of the althletic programs will not go on to professional athletic careers. By not awarding those scholarships the school has simply taken an opportunity for a fine education away from two kids.
Hey Michael, Mayor of Stupidville, if you read the story above it states "OU disassociated a booster from the program for at least five years. Although the school's release did not name former Big Red general manager Brad McRae, he was Bomar's and Quinn's supervisor." So who needs to read a little before making offbase comments? BTW - I am a 15 year OU Football Season ticket holder and donor.
Sad isn't it. OU has a great program and most osu fans are angry out of jealousy because they wish they could be as good as OU. What difference does it make what school you went to. I graduated from osu and now take classes at nsu. I have been a life long OU fan. Thats like saying you can't be a music fan because you didn't take music in school. I yell just as loud for osu when they are not playing OU. It is just fun giving my osu friends grief. That is the difference it is fun for an OU fan. It is life to an osu fan.
To Mike in Norman, "I know first hand that most OU students have inadequate writing skills. Now, what have you got to say about that?" Proof it. That sounds like a baseless statement made out of ignorance in an attempt prove a point. As for the NCAA infractions, OU should be able to weather the storm so long as no other serious infractions surface. They took expedient action implementing penalties that many (including those enforcing the action) thought would ruin their season, particularly after the momentum they built from 2005. OU, like all big name programs, will always face these obstacles, due to the revenue generated by both the basketball and football programs. They have to have the "blue chippers" to win, and "blue chippers" have to have SUVs, because at the end of the day they’re just kids. Given all the temptation thrown their way, most (with the help of great direction from parents, coaches, and other mentors) do a good job dismissing those temptations. But your still going to have your bad “Big Red” apples.
Does this mean no more annoying Big Red Sports and Imports commercials? I live out of state now and haven't really missed seeing that pompous ass running his mouth on TV. By the way, I root for OSU and OU every Saturday. When the two play each other, I want the team with the most class to win, but usually I pull for the underdog. Sort that one out!
Michael from OKC, I suggest you chill out. I'm in my fourth year at OU and a lot of this is news to me, so please keep the insults to a minimum. Saying that OSU fans and students alike can't read is a little bit over the top. I know first hand that most OU students have inadequate writing skills. Now, what have you got to say about that? Are you going to do what most OU fans do when we're in a rut and change teams? The reason OSU fans hate OU fans and vice-a-versa is because the most insulting, "ignorant" fans never went to either school and are only fans because their daddies were. Your comments are unwarranted and inappropriate. Here's a suggestion: shut up. People don't know everything about this case because we have gotten to the point where OU is always in trouble for something. We stopped caring because OU always has a buy-out or gets a slap on the wrist. Shame on you, because the ignorant thing to do was assume that you had all the information. Everyone thinks he's an expert. Like I said, shut up. It's time that OU and OSU started working together to educate instead of only competing. You're the ignorant party here.
Jim in Ft Worth. Your comparison has nothing to do with the current topic. The OU coaches know the rules, the players know the rules and the OU compliance office know the rules. OU had a vehicle in place to monitor this type of behavior but did not or could not follow up because that particular department "was in transition". That is not a valid reason for not complying.
As for my company, I know there are rules I have to follow such as selling or shipping to countries on the banned list. My company and I are both aware that should not comply there is punishment for both myself and/or the company. They have vehicles and annual training in place to ensure those policies are followed. And they do not stop monitoring that type of activity if a department is "in transition".
Quit denying, take the punishment and fix the problems.
I've been an OU fan since the days of Wilkinson -- and in that time OU has periodically been in trouble for this kind of stuff. No matter how you sugercoat it, two meetings with the NCAA over infractions within the same year is not a good thing and certainly doesn't project a desirable public image.
It appears OU has taken the necessary steps to ensure "boosters" like
Brad McRae, will not violate NCAA rules again, and it looks as if OU's self-imposed penalties will show the NCAA that OU will not put up with NCAA violations of any kind. However, look at the big picture and stop getting on your big "red" horses OU fans....
OU coaches didn't have much of a choice but to report the infractions/violations.... It was report them or see a winning program go down the tubes quick along with their coaching staff. So yes, they are headed in the right direction, but they certainly need to make sure their players don't end up in those kinds of situations again. And this is for Jeff from Jenks.... OSU fans and students can read and we read well enough to know that OU was caught with their hands in the cookies jar or should I say the "Big Red" cookie jar!!!!
Who Cares?! These kind of things(NCAA Violations)happen at OU, that's just how it is. They will give whatever punishment they give and none of us have any influence on that. And it will probably happen again in the next 10 years.
Jeff from Jenks....or should I say DUMB AGGIE....They did announce a lifetime ban on Brad McRae, he no longer is involved in management at Big Red. They are now actually owned by the Hudiburg Auto Group. Read the whole thing before you make some kind of stupid statement like that. Oh yeah...did you go to OSU??? That story didn't include pictures so you probably didn't get the whole story. Go down to your local Wal-Mart and have one of the Greeters READ you the story. That way you won't make such uninformed and ignorant comments.
OU disassociated themselves from Big Red's Brad McRae for only 5 years? Why don't they announce a lifetime disassocation and send a message to other boosters that endangering the OU Athletic Program will not be tolerated.
The University of Oklahoma faces a hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions on April 14 in Indianapolis, regarding major rules violations in the football program. Here's the breakdown:
Rule violations
Allegations of rules violations detailed in the official notice of allegations from the NCAA to OU:
•Quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn were paid $7,406.88 and $8,137.17, respectively, for work they did not perform at Big Red Sports and Imports. Walk-on receiver Jermaine Hardison was also overpaid, though the amount was redacted from the official notice.
•Failure to "adequately monitor the employment of football student-athletes at Big Red Sports and Imports” from Feb. 2005-March 2006.
Self-sanctions
Sanctions self-imposed by OU:
•Quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn were permanently dismissed from the football program.
•OU did not re-award the two scholarships, which would have been available. In effect, this amounted to a reduction of scholarships.
•OU will reduce by one the number of football coaches allowed to recruit off-campus during the 2007 fall evaluation period.
•OU prohibited athletes from working at Big Red through at least the 2008-09 school year.
•OU disassociated a booster from the program for at least five years. Although the school's release did not name former Big Red general manager Brad McRae, he was Bomar's and Quinn's supervisor.
By George Schroeder, Staff Writer
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Bomar and Quinn alike, will finish school elsewhere. D1 or not the point is it will not be at OU and I am sure that at some point in their lives they will see a lesson in all this.
And I am with those who have the opinion that you cant do anything about this until you catch it. THen take action on the involved athletes and boosters. What is the big deal... I'm sure plenty of OSU athletes have bought cut bait at discount rates.
i think alittle bantering between schools is ok but when it comes down to people down right fighting, throwing stuff on each other is crazy .So grow up both OU and OSU fans we are a State that stands together not apart, it's good to be proud of your school, but "Remember" how we act towards each other is watched by other State schools and they like when both of our schools are at each other, theses boys that get out and play ever saturday durning football season and the ones that play durning basketball season is doing this for our enjoyment, they dont get a big fat pay check, so lets remember the next time they are playing and happen to make a bad pass or a catch, not scream and yell at them just remember they have feeling to and are trying to do the best they can at that time...we are not perfect so why should we always think they should be? WE ARE A GREAT STATE LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY!!
As for my company, I know there are rules I have to follow such as selling or shipping to countries on the banned list. My company and I are both aware that should not comply there is punishment for both myself and/or the company. They have vehicles and annual training in place to ensure those policies are followed. And they do not stop monitoring that type of activity if a department is "in transition".
Quit denying, take the punishment and fix the problems.
Brad McRae, will not violate NCAA rules again, and it looks as if OU's self-imposed penalties will show the NCAA that OU will not put up with NCAA violations of any kind. However, look at the big picture and stop getting on your big "red" horses OU fans....
OU coaches didn't have much of a choice but to report the infractions/violations.... It was report them or see a winning program go down the tubes quick along with their coaching staff. So yes, they are headed in the right direction, but they certainly need to make sure their players don't end up in those kinds of situations again. And this is for Jeff from Jenks.... OSU fans and students can read and we read well enough to know that OU was caught with their hands in the cookies jar or should I say the "Big Red" cookie jar!!!!