USF's athletic department is self-reporting a secondary rules violation to the NCAA after men's basketball coach Stan Heath and his assistants spent nine more days on the road recruiting than allowed during the 2007-08 school year.
The coaches "mistakenly calculated" multiday tournaments as a single day, the report shows, and USF has offered to reduce the number of recruiting days, normally 130, by 14 in 2008-09, a penalty of 1.5 days for each extra day taken. Heath and his staff did not travel for player evaluations last weekend as a result of being over the limit. Once spring classes have ended, coaches have unlimited days to recruit during the summer.
Heath and USF declined to comment. The report shows that a "letter of admonishment" was issued to Heath and his three assistants, but no additional sanctions are expected from the NCAA.
SOFTBALL: USF sits atop the Big East standings with a 14-4 record, one game ahead of DePaul entering the final weekend of the regular season. The Bulls, who have doubleheaders at Providence today and Connecticut on Sunday, can't clinch the regular-season crown until Sunday. Three other teams are still mathematically alive, as Notre Dame and Louisville are 12-6 and Connecticut is 11-7. The Big East tournament is next weekend at Louisville.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
So Mr. Heath, I mean Champ, Arkansas' teams had no issues while Stan was there?
Posted by: Reality | May 05, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Oh wait there Champ, those rules don't apply to USF fans, you can't use them. Have you seen what your ignorant usf fans post about anything UCF.
Posted by: Stephen | May 05, 2008 at 05:15 PM
What were the rumors of wrong doings at Arkansas under Stan Heath's watch?
Stephen if you are going to throw out an accusation like that you should have some facts to back it up.
I know Stan ran a clean program at Arkansas and I have already listed who is to blame for what has happpened at USF.
If Stan was dirty he would still be coaching Arkansas.
Posted by: The Champ | May 05, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Arkansas fired Stan for reasons that we never really knew but there were rumors of wrong doing in the basketball program. Should we be surprised that this is happening at USF. Please, recuiting violations, Stan needs to take some classes from Jim to figure out how to run that place.
Posted by: Stephen | May 05, 2008 at 12:44 PM
We're praying to Stan Heath now, Champ?
When did his status change from Head Coach to deity?
Posted by: RR | May 03, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I told you guys.
AGW is right Heath is handicapped by having Samuels and Hansen on staff.Other then Hipsher there can't be a worse group of assistants anywhere on the major college level.USF is already the hardest job in college basketball, add to the fact that your two supposily recruiters are doing more harm then helping really makes things difficult for Stan.It is amazing he is able to do what he has done so far with things against him like this.
Have faith USF fans as Stan is moving closer to fixing this situation and once he does the level of USF basketball will go upward.
Speaking about those weak assistants, one of them flat out lied about having a big time player interested in USF, and when looked into the player didn't even exist, nevermind being interested in the Bulls.
Send your prayers to Coach Heath because he needs them.
Posted by: The Champ | May 03, 2008 at 04:25 PM
The Champ is right, Stan Heath needs to fire two assistants and find some new ones. They are killing us.
Posted by: AGW | May 03, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Jesus and Aris Williams both got their degrees from the basketball team. I believe that's at least four basketball players this season, with Kentrell Gransberry and Eddie Lovett.
Posted by: G.A. | May 03, 2008 at 12:29 PM
You would think with all the cheating that Stan could get some decent recruits. How dare you cheat and get us the clowns, you got.
Posted by: Reality | May 03, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Greg.
I attended the Graduation cremonies Friday night. Among the 800+ students who walked across teh stage in recognition of their hard work to complete requirements for a degree (in addition to my son) was Jesus Verdejo. It was nice to see oneof teh athletes complete his student work as well. An uplifting evenng...GO BULLS!
Posted by: Sarasota Ralph | May 03, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Hey Mike,
Actually the UCF Arena is nice, unlike that dump (aka "The Wok") they play football in. I believe the arena cost more than the football stadium (something like $80 million to $45 million).
Posted by: Orlando John | May 03, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Whoops
Posted by: Astro | May 03, 2008 at 09:05 AM
"The only way that USF can beat UCF in basketball is to "cheat" in recruiting. UCF totally should've won our game in Tampa. We will get them when they come to our garage this season!"
- UCiF faithful
There. I beat all of the trolls to it. Now leave.
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | May 03, 2008 at 08:20 AM