Nevada On Probation For Major NCAA Rule Violations

Site Administrator — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:04:47 GMT

The NCAA placed the University of Nevada, Reno on probation for three years for major violations of NCAA rules by ex-golf coach Rich Merritt and a member of his family.

Penalties imposed were:

-Public reprimand and censure;

-Three years of probation;

-Reduction in scholarships in men's golf;

-Reduction in scholarships in women's golf;

-The institution shall pay a fine of $1,500 to the NCAA;

-Show-cause order placed on the former head men's golf coach;

-Annual compliance reporting required.

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The former golf coach, Rich Merritt refused to cooperate in the NCAA investigation pertaining to charges that he engaged in impermissible sports-betting.

He was charged with unethical conduct for failure to cooperate and for providing false and misleading information to the NCAA.

"On June 6, 2008, when requested to do so by the enforcement staff, the former head coach refused to provide access to records of all his credit card transactions during his tenure.

The records were requested as part of the NCAA enforcement staff's investigation into allegations that Merritt wagered on sports during his tenure as head men's golf coach."

The Show-Cause penalty essentially restricts Merritt from working in the NCAA for two years.

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Here is more on Rich Merritt's (and his father's) violations:

-Impermissible provision of airline ticket for student-athlete;

-Impermissible provision of cash to student-athletes;

-Providing alcoholic beverages to student-athletes;

-Provision of impermissible transportation, lodging, meals and free golf;

-Unethical conduct for providing false and misleading information

-A failure to cooperate and promote an atmosphere of compliance.

Merritt oversaw both the men's and women's program during the period in which the violations occurred. The former women's golf coach was not implicated in any of these violations in her position as head coach.

This was Nevada's second major infractions case, the other in 1976.

This is the second institution that has ended up on NCAA probation for major violations of NCAA rules under Athletic Director Cary Groth's leadership. The other being Northern Illinois University.

Here is the official report NCAA REPORT.

Nevada NCAA Probation

Nevada On Probation For Major NCAA Rule Violations