UL-Lafayette to vacate 22 wins, including 2 bowls
When Louisiana-Lafayette announced that the NCAA accepted self-imposed sanctions for rules violations last month, the program said it would vacate wins in which ineligible players were participants. The program unveiled the full scope on Thursday.
In all, 22 victories from games between 2011-14 will be vacated along with New Orleans Bowl wins in 2011 and 2013 and the 2013 Sun Belt title. Specifically, eight wins from 2011, four from 2012, eight from 2013 and two from 2014 seasons will be wiped from the record books along with the statistics of the ineligible student-athletes.
The violations stem from former assistant David Saunders helping six prospective student-athletes – five of whom ended up at UL-Lafayette – falsify ACT scores at a testing center in Mississippi. The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions concluded that Saunders acted “alone.”
“While it is disappointing to vacate these victories and championships, we finally put this chapter behind us and will continue to grow our championship football program,” athletic director Scott Farmer said. “We stand behind the integrity and accomplishments of coach Mark Hudspeth, members of his coaching staff and each of our student-athletes who played football during the Hudspeth era.”
UL-Lafayette worked with the NCAA to reach these conclusions. Thusly, the NCAA did not hand down the serious “lack of institutional control” or “failure to monitor” charges, though it did conclude that the university is “responsible for its employees’ actions.”
“Our University strives to comply with NCAA standards and maintains a comprehensive rules compliance program. Our compliance staff has performed with great professionalism and vigilance. Also, the NCAA stated that UL Lafayette’s ‘exemplary cooperation in this case was a model for the kind of relationship and cooperation member institutions should strive for in the infractions process,'” Farmer said.
The NCAA also alleged that Saunders provided improper benefits – $6,500 for living and educational expenses – to one prospective student-athlete. The university did not agree with this allegation, but did not fight it.
Saunders did not cooperate in the investigation and has been levied with an eight-year show-cause by the NCAA, meaning he cannot accept a job with an NCAA-member program without an appeal.
As a result of Thursday’s news, Hudspeth’s win total at ULL dropped from 40 to 18. He has been the program’s head coach since 2011.
“Since Coach Hudspeth’s arrival in 2011, the football staff and student-athletes have shown their dedication to winning through their hard work and indomitable spirit. Although games were vacated due to the actions of one person, our fans, student-athletes and coaches will remember the excitement and pride they felt.
“We appreciate all of our fans’ support and together we will fight on,” Farmer said.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
