I can hear it now:
No, you actually can't......says the NCAA
Specifically, you can't allow players that accept 'gifts' play in the ACC championship game. (Looking at you....mister 'I' before 'us' Demaryius Thomas) Hence Ga-tech having to vacate their 2009 ACC championship and return the trophy.
But what really pissed off the infraction committee was finding out that Ga-tech continued to wrongfully contact recruits 3 days AFTER they met with infractions committee!
In 2011, the NCAA ruled Georgia Tech must pay a $100,000 fine and return its 2009 ACC championship trophy as punishment for allowing an ineligible player, receiver Demaryius Thomas, to compete. The school was given recruiting restrictions and placed on probation for four years.
Georgia Tech's appeal was denied in 2012, when the NCAA noted the school "was cited for preferential treatment violations, a lack of cooperation during the investigation and a failure to meet the conditions and obligations of membership."
Comments
No scholarship loss, etc for this behavior?
Meh. Hard for me to get worked up about seriously minor violations like this getting sanctions, while Miami & UNC just slide on through with major infractions.
And don't even get me started on the SEC.
What the eff good is probation if you're only going to extend it when a school gets caught cheating after the probation was put in place?
Probation is warning shot. Screw up and the ban hammer should come out. That's what probation is for!
GT is an outlaw program.