BYU NewsNet - NCAA Imposes Sanctions on BYU Volleyball for Violations

By Lisa Harding

After an 18-month investigation, the NCAA imposed strict sanctions on the BYU team for several violations of recruiting rules.

The infractions center around two international players who defected from Cuba in 2005. They are reported to have received several impermissible benefits upon arrival in Provo, including free housing, transportation, food and clothing. One recruit was given $13,000 for his expenses, including $8,000 dollars for immigration fees.

BYU swiftly reacted to the findings of the investigation by offering a list of self-imposed sanctions. The NCAA followed up with giving similar penalties yet slightly more severe in degree.

Penalties include a three-year probation and limiting of BYU's off-campus recruiting activity. In addition, the team's total number of scholarships will be reduced from 4.5 to 4 and they will only be allowed 18 players for the 2008-2009 season. The Cougars will be allowed to participate in post-season play and no titles will be taken away.

BYU volleyball games have long been a favorite pastime of BYU students, bringing in full-capacity crowds to the Smith Fieldhouse with every home match. Many students were disheartened to learn of the infractions against the team.

"It's kind of disappointing that there were penalties against this university," said Justin Hale, a student from Atlanta, Georgia. "We are the church's school. If sports get in the way of integrity, it ruins everything."

"I'm not surprised," said Brandon McArthur, a business major from Pensacola, Fla. "Most universities do stuff like this." However, McArthur admits that he is disappointed. "It's like a whole football team was taking steroids," he said.

BYU students were upset to hear about the infractions, yet they also understood the need for a just retribution.

"I think these punishments are enough," said Mike Merkely, a Texas native majoring in biology. "I think they were a little more lenient than they might have been because BYU self-imposed their own penalties."

The question of the appropriateness of allowing the team to keep their 2004 national title was met with a resounding yes from students interviewed.

"Removing the titles because of things that happened in the past is silly," said Merkely. "If they worked hard and got the title, I don't think it should be taken away for things they didn't exactly know where happening. The number one team is the number one team, regardless of where they came from. It still doesn't take away the team's prowess."

"The sanctions are completely fair," said Ross Newman a business major from Portland, Ore. "It doesn't affect my opinion of the volleyball team. I'll still go to games. But they shouldn't strip any titles; a title is a title."

Former BYU men's volleyball coach Tom Peterson denies that the infractions occurred due to any negligence on his part. Yet Peterson resigned in September 2006 when the university learned of the NCAA's investigation.

"Given my history with and affection for the BYU program, I did everything I thought was necessary and appropriate to keep the program in compliance," said Peterson in a press release on Tuesday.

BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe announced in a press release on Tuesday that he was glad to have the situation resolved and the university was eager to move forward, stating the university's commitment to never let this happen again.

It appears that BYU will not lose its fan base due to the controversy, but some students are left to wonder why.

"They've been number one for so long, maybe they were trying to keep up the good team they had doing," said Victor Doroghian, a senior majoring in construction management. "But we have to stand for something at this school."

BYU currently sits at No. 1 in the national rankings after sweeping Pepperdine University last weekend. They will be taking a stand against the No. 9 UCLA Bruins tonight and Friday night at Pauley Pavilion.