Stanford University Athletics director Bernard Muir has issued an official statement on the school's violations of National College Athletic Association (NCAA) rules. This comes after the organization confirmed on Thursday that the university has committed two Level II violations.
According to The Stanford Daily, these are the university's first major violations. The incidents were internally investigated and reported by Stanford in 2014. It was followed by self-imposed penalties as well as an additional $5,000 fine by the NCAA.
In a statement by Muir on the school's official website, it was revealed that, in the spring of 2014, the softball program was investigated for concerns on the management of the program. Apparently, excessive practice hours, which disregarded the NCAA limits on the number of hours that student athletes should participate in, were imposed on Stanford players by the former head coach.
As a result, the coach was asked to resign, which he did. The assistant coaches' contracts were also not renewed.
The school has also placed a penalty of significant limitations on softball practice hours under the supervision of the new coaching staff. A full-time compliance staff member was also added to Stanford Athletics to ensure proper monitoring and verification of practice hours.
"The university will continue to be diligent about educating student-athletes and supporters, monitoring its programs and, when a potential violation is discovered, vigorously reviewing the matter and self-reporting to the NCAA any findings," Muir wrote. "Stanford will continue to work towards a tradition of excellence and hold itself to the highest standards of conduct and compliance."
The other violation was on impermissible benefits accrued by former Stanford wide receiver Devon Cajuste in the summer of 2014. The benefits totaled to nearly $3,500, with a major part of that being loaned for Cajuste to buy a buy. Another, nearing $400 of benefits, came from meals, movie tickets and the use of a vacation home, which were all provided by a University-arranged landlord.
"I am the student-athlete involved in the violation," Cajuste admitted. "I unknowingly accepted impermissible benefits from my summer landlord. I look forward to moving on from this incident and to supporting my alma mater for many years to come. I will have no further comment on this matter.
