NCAA MOVES FAST ON KENTUCKY

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 1, 2009 (UPI) -- The NCAA announced today that it has placed the University of Kentucky on four years pre-emptive probation for anticipated major recruiting violations to be committed by incoming head basketball coach John Calipari.  Reports were confirmed on March 31 that the school had hired Calipari, formerly head coach at Memphis, to replace ousted coach Billy Gillispie.  The NCAA’s decision was announced in a statement released today by the NCAA Infractions Committee, the ultimate decision-making body in the Division I enforcement process.

In addition to probation, the Southeastern Conference school was hit with reduced scholarships and future wins were vacated, the Committee said in the release. The school was also asked to take down all of the national championship banners for 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 the school had already hung in Rupp Arena, where the Wildcats play their home games. 

"We realize this is an unprecedented action, but when a coach so legendary for illegal recruiting is hired by a school that has proven repeatedly that it is willing to break any rule, law, or standard of human decency in pursuit of basketball success, major recruiting violations are virtually certain to follow," the Committee’s statement said. “The Committee believes that placing the school on probation now will save time and money that would necessarily be spent on a lengthy investigation.” 

UK issued a statement saying school officials were "disappointed" that the NCAA Committee on Infractions had found that violations were “virtually certain” and the school plans to appeal the NCAA’s decision.

NCAA president Myles Brand could not be reached for comment.  Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhardt told reporters that he “[did not want to] personally comment until the appeals process runs its course, but we plan to vigorously fight this decision.”

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