The Morning Dish – Wednesday, June 18th:
Rough Knight: Rutgers University slapped itself on the wrist to the tune of two years’ probation and a loss of 20 scholarships in 10 sports for violations of NCAA rules regarding financial aid rules and eligibility. The NCAA accepted the school’s self-imposed punishment – the first time the school has been on probation – for infractions of at least 40 student athletes in 15 sports from 1997 to 2001. Apparently Rutgers’ system of certification of their athletes was off base, which jeopardized the eligibility of many athletes. While the basketball team will lose only one scholarship, the football, men’s soccer and women’s lacrosse will lose four scholarships, and men’s golf will lose two.
Parker Returning: Another NBA Draft-eligible player has decided to return to campus. Tulsa junior guard Jason Parker will return for his senior season after getting feedback that he would not be a first-rounder. Parker, who did not hire an agent and thus is eligible to return to the Golden Hurricane, led the team with 15.4 points, 4 assists and two steals per game last season.
Volunteer Promoted: Tennessee assistant Chris Ferguson has been promoted to associate head coach of Buzz Peterson’s staff. Ferguson, who has been on the Vols’ staff for the past six seasons with 2 SEC East and 1 SEC crown, came to UT from Virginia Tech, where he was an assistant for Bill Foster, and also worked at UNC-Asheville and Appalachian State, where he met Peterson.
Roll Tide, Mon: Alabama announced yesterday that they will be traveling to Nassau, Bahamas for a series of games against Bahamas National Teams in August. Starting August 8th, the Tide will play five games in nine days agianst both the national team and the junior national team. Per NCAA rules, the squad can practice 10 days prior to departure, and the three incoming freshmen on the squad are not eligible.
