South Carolina self-imposes scholarship reduction in NCAA response

South Carolina has responded with a lengthy letter to the NCAA agreeing with all three allegations, including the failure to sufficiently monitor allegation. As a result, self-imposed sanctions against the football program will include a loss of six scholarships over the course of three years, a reduction of official recruiting visits to 30 for the 2012-13 year and an $18,500 fine for allowing four ineligible football players to compete during the 2009-10 football season.

“We continue to work in full cooperation with the NCAA on this very serious matter,” school president Harris Pastides said. “As an institution, we established self-imposed penalties and implemented corrective actions.”

South Carolina’s total amount of impermissible benefits from the Whitney Hotel are roughly $47,000. Again, that’s a loss in six scholarships. For $47,000. Boise State received a loss of nine scholarships over the course of three years for impermissible benefits, totaling less than $5,000, and Ohio State received a loss of five scholarships over three years for impermissible benefits to players totaling less than $1,000.

The school is scheduled to meet with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions on Feb. 17-18.