PROVO, Utah, Nov. 9, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The NCAA has announced heavy penalties against the Brigham Young University men’s basketball team.
In a statement released Friday, the NCAA says BYU must vacate two seasons, eliminate a scholarship, and serve probation for two more years.
The judgement against BYU was made because of trips and other benefits that boosters gave to guard Nick Emery, the statement said, adding that BYU “gained an advantage of an ineligible player for two seasons.”
An NCAA report found that four BYU boosters provided Emery with more than $12,000 in complimentary vacations and cash, in violation of NCAA rules. The organization already has suspended Emery for nine games this season.
BYU plans to appeal today’s judgement. If the appeal fails, BYU could lose 47 wins from the two seasons Emery has played for BYU.
BYU issued a response, saying the ruling was a disappointment, and in similar cases with other schools, the NCAA did not eliminate wins.
After the NCAA announcement, Emery posted a Twitter message:
“My intentions were never to hurt the program or university. I’m grateful to Coach Rose and the university for standing by me throughout this entire process.”
