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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:20 a.m., Friday, September 12, 2008

Colleges: NCAA finds no new allegations at Florida State

By BILL KACZOR
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The NCAA found no new allegations of academic cheating by Florida State student-athletes, but it may consider additional penalties against the school, including the forfeiture of games.

The university today released documents related to the NCAA investigation. Included was Florida State's response to allegations from the NCAA. The school initially uncovered and reported the cheating scandal.

The response admits to breaking rules but argues against a financial penalty or game forfeits in part because of steps the university already has taken, including suspending athletes from competition and reducing scholarships.

Athletes cheated on an online test from the fall of 2006 through summer 2007. They also received improper help from staffers who provided them with answers to the exam and typed papers for them.

"We believe that ours was a through and exhaustive inquiry including extensive examinations of computer records and files to search for any evidence of impropriety regarding NCAA or university rules," Florida State president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement.

The NCAA will hold a hearing Oct. 18 to decide if Florida State should receive additional penalties.

Florida State in February announced it was penalizing itself with two years of probation, the loss of scholarships in 10 sports and suspensions of 30 percent of a season for 61 athletes — about a third of them football players. The probation does not include a ban on postseason play.

Florida State also has made changes in staffing, online testing and other procedures to prevent cheating.

The grades of the 61 athletes implicated in the cheating were thrown out and they had to retake the online course. Only two earned the same or an improved grade. The rest received lower grades.

The suspensions included 18 football players who were withheld from the Music City Bowl last year. Most also are sitting out the first three games of the current season, including several starters.

Football is losing five scholarships — two this year and three in 2009-10. Men's and women's basketball have been docked one scholarship each this year.

Baseball, golf, track and field and swimming each are losing part of a full grant this year. It's the same for softball this and next year.

The first indication of cheating came when a single athlete reported in spring 2007 that test answers were provided for another athlete. An initial investigation turned up 22 athletes who acknowledged cheating.

The others didn't come forward until the school announced the 30 percent suspension penalty after consulting with NCAA officials.

The university's response contends it would be unfair to persuade athletes "to be forthcoming with the promise of a 30 percent reduction in games and then penalize the university for using an ineligible student-athlete earlier that season."