University of Louisiana-Lafayette officials say their football program is under investigation by the NCAA because a former assistant coach allegedly schemed to fraudulently boost certain recruits' standardized test scores.
Documents released by the university this week, in response to public records requests by The (Lafayette) Daily Advertiser, allege that former assistant coach David Saunders also funneled cash to a recruit who was attending a junior college.
Louisiana-Lafayette athletics director Scott Farmer says university officials "take the allegations very seriously" and are cooperating fully with the NCAA.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of UL Lafayette, said that he respects the NCAA enforcement process and commends the Athletics Department for being open and cooperative.
“Our university strives to comply with NCAA standards and maintains a comprehensive rules compliance program. We do not condone misconduct and take any suggestion of wrongdoing seriously,” said Savoie.
NCAA regulations restrict a university from making disclosures about a case until its conclusion. However, in being responsive to a request for public records, the university is releasing the NCAA’s notice of allegations and the university’s response, according to Farmer.
Louisiana-Lafayette also has begun operating under self-imposed sanctions which include vacating the 2011 season, placing itself on two years' probation, a reduction in 11 scholarships spread over three seasons and a reduction in recruiting activities.
University representatives will appear later this fall at a confidential hearing that is not open to the public, according to NCAA procedure. Several months following the hearing, the Committee on Infractions will publicly issue its decision.