An extensive internal analysis conducted at Southeastern Louisiana University has revealed that 137 ineligible athletes competed for the Lions between 2005 and 2010.
The Southeastern Louisiana Lions represent the university in intercollegiate sports events.
The violations, which occurred between the 2005-06 and 2009-10 academic years, include the university improperly certifying athletes who failed to meet the academic eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the NCAA games.
"This was a case where student-athletes were erroneously certified as being eligible due to flaws in the eligibility certification process. In many instances, student-athletes would have been eligible had proper procedure been followed, such as timely declaration or change of a major," Southeastern athletic director, Bart Bellairs, said.
Following these violations, the University has self-imposed penalties such as reducing scholarships, nullifying victories and awarding a two-year probationary period while awaiting result of NCAA's review of the case.
It has hired an assistant to handle athletics compliance and a new compliance coordinator, redesigned the eligibility certification process, added eligibility training for coaches and employees and new computer software to examine athletes' courses and credits.
The officials are hopeful that these management changes will prevent any athlete from violating any rules in the future.
Carl Shetler, chairman of the UL system's athletic committee thinks that the punishment by the NCAA will not be harsh as the university self-declared its offences. Or, they might just simply agree with the penalties ordered by the university itself.
Southeastern spokesman Rene Abadie, said that the university will not be disclosing the sports involved in the violations.
The university said that the athletics staff members accountable for academic advising and eligibility certification when the violations occurred are no longer with the university. Plus, no existing athlete has participated while ineligible.
