University of Minnesota Athletics
NCAA Sanctions U Women's Basketball Program
7/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"While we are pleased that the NCAA Committee confirmed our own investigative findings, we are of course very disappointed by the behavior of former coach Littlejohn, which precipitated these findings and the resulting sanctions," said Mark Rotenberg, general counsel who assumed oversight of athletics rules compliance in December 1999. "I believe we have shown the NCAA that we are serious about rules investigations and enforcement. Major rules violations are being aggressively investigated, and those responsible will face appropriate discipline."
The committee found major violations of NCAA rules, principally in the areas of recruiting, extra benefits, ethical conduct and institutional control. The committee found that all of these violations were caused or perpetuated by the actions of the head coach that created an environment of non-compliance in the women's basketball program. Among the principal findings are that Littlejohn arranged housing for incoming recruits in the summer of 1998 at reduced or no cost and provided them with gifts; she provided cash to a recruit through the mother of another recruit; and she arranged for illegal workouts in 1998 and illegal pre-season practice prior to the 2000-2001 academic year.
Based on these violations, the NCAA committee accepted the university's self-imposed corrective actions and penalties, and imposed additional penalties. The committee extended the current probationary period imposed on the university in 2000 as a result of men's basketball infractions for two years, until October 22, 2006. In addition, the committee reduced the number of scholarships available for women's basketball by one for two seasons, 2003-04 and 2004-05, reduced the number of official paid visits for two years to seven, and delayed the start of pre-season basketball practice by seven days until October 19, 2002.
The committee also found that because of a violation occurring after probation was imposed on the university in October 2000, the university was subject to the NCAA's "repeat violator" legislation. Significantly, however, the committee chose not to impose on the university any of the penalties for repeat violators.
"This is the final chapter in a long and difficult process of restructuring and realigning our athletics department, including compliance, to restore confidence and strengthen oversight," said University President Mark Yudof. "I am confident that these changes will have their intended effect and will serve the institution well for years to come."
Head Women's Basketball Coach Pam Borton expressed optimism. "We have a strong program that has overcome many adversities," she said. "We are happy to close this chapter of Golden Gopher women's basketball history and are excited to focus all our energies on what is a very exciting future for this program."
A full copy of the NCAA infractions committee report is available on the Web at www.ncaa.org
