The University of Alaska-Fairbanks received notice Wednesday from the NCAA of a series of penalties from a series of eligibility infractions spanning the 2007-2008 through 2011-2012 academic years.
The university discovered the infractions in 2011 and 2012 and self-reported them to the NCAA at the time, in addition to imposing some self-penalties. These new penalties include some of those self-sanctions.
According to the university’s statement, “these infractions were due to the university’s failure to establish and maintain adequate systems to ensure that NCAA eligibility was being performed correctly. They are not the result of any wrongdoing by student-athletes.Since these infractions were first reported, UAF has worked to completely overhaul its eligibility process and controls. Today, our student-athletes have the advising, records and eligibility support they deserve.”
The penalties include the university being fined of $30,000, public reprimand and censure and three years of probation through Nov. 4, 2017.
In addition, the Nanooks’ hockey program will be sanctioned by awarding one fewer scholarship each year for three years (no credit for one scholarship a year for two years self-imposed), no postseason play for the 2014-15 season and the team must vacate wins, points and individual statistics for ineligible games, including those for coaches and ineligible student-athletes.
The ruling also means Alaska is ineligible for the WCHA playoffs this season, the league confirmed. If the Nanooks finish in one of the top eight places in the standings, the ninth-place team will be added to the playoff field.
