CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami has been notified of the actions taken by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff.
“The NCAA has informed the University of Miami of their decisions regarding the reinstatement of eight student-athletes who were declared ineligible by the University last week, “ said UM Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst. “The student-athletes involved have acknowledged receiving improper benefits and will now be responsible for restitution and, in some cases, the student-athletes will also serve game suspensions. They understand that their actions demand consequences.
“This university has the highest standards in all of our academic and athletic endeavors. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to build winning programs with the utmost of integrity. We will be more vigilant in our compliance and continue to work with the NCAA on the joint investigation to determine the facts.
“We appreciate the diligence and understanding of the NCAA staff and its handling of the student-athlete eligibility issues in an expeditious manner. I would also like to thank Coach Golden and his staff for their professionalism and leadership over the past few weeks.”
Additionally, the following football student-athletes have been cleared by the NCAA to participate in all competition though each must make repayment in the amount of less than $100 for receiving impermissible benefits: Brandon McGee, JoJo Nicholas, Micanor Regis and Vaughn Telemaque.
Senior Marcus Robinson has been cleared of any NCAA violations and will not face any penalties.
Finally, UM head coach Al Golden announced that senior wide receiver Aldarius Johnson has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
Chris Freet
Associate AD for Communications | University of Miami Athletics
First?
Posted by: calGary Cane | August 30, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Oliver Vernon gets 6 games; Ray-Ray and Dye 4; Jacory, Forston, Spence, Benjamin, Ojomo 1 game suspension.
Posted by: Alberto | August 30, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Of the eight, three received substantial benefits as recruits from former booster Nevin Shapiro and athletics personnel to entice them to enroll at UM, which are considered some of the most serious recruiting violations within the NCAA. Five other students were found to receive less than $500 each.
> Defensive end Olivier Vernon received more than $1,200 in benefits and must miss six games and make repayment of the value of the benefits.
> Safety Ray Ray Armstrong and tight end Dyron Dye will miss four games and must make repayment. Ray Ray owes $788 and Dye owes $738.
> Defensive end Marcus Forston, linebacker Sean Spence, defensive end Adewale Ojomo, receiver Travis Benjamin and quarterback Jacory Harris must miss one game and make repayments. Forston received more than $400 in extra benefits. Spence received approximately $275; Ojomo $240; Benjamin $10 and Harris $140.
The NCAA says UM has not submitted any additional reinstatement requests at this time.
Posted by: Alberto | August 30, 2011 at 05:36 PM
so is the investigation over????
Posted by: usagainsttheworld&thereferees | August 30, 2011 at 05:37 PM
It could have been worst. Let´s win game one. Go Canes!!!
Posted by: Alberto | August 30, 2011 at 05:38 PM
I guess this means the depth chart will be coming out later this afternoon?
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Alberto...nice ads on the info!
Posted by: SOUP | August 30, 2011 at 05:39 PM
Dam..1 game for $10 lol
Posted by: UMike | August 30, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Well... it's finally official. We'll have our hands VERY full with all of those defenders out for Maryland.
Sorry Ray Ray got a 4 game hit... But glad Sean Spence is only 1.
Posted by: roachcane77 | August 30, 2011 at 05:40 PM
All this according to Manny Navarro.
Posted by: Alberto | August 30, 2011 at 05:41 PM
CalGary and Tluv...I removed a few comments above just to clean up the blog. Lots of "eyes" will be looking on so I wanted to stick to the story and related info. No harm, no foul!
CalGary...email at: [email protected] for your Canespace T-shirt.
Posted by: SOUP | August 30, 2011 at 05:45 PM
okay so if we got a guy out because of 10 bux...LSU's guys better be $h!tt!ng brix. why can't he repay whoever now and be eligible ASAP. that'll bring Nevin's debt down to 929,999,990 LOL
Posted by: Dadesfynest83 | August 30, 2011 at 05:47 PM
That's the NCAA recommendation...Miami could hand out additional punishment...just sayin'...
Posted by: Texascane | August 30, 2011 at 05:48 PM
Told ya AJ4 messed up pretty bad
Posted by: alf | August 30, 2011 at 05:49 PM
No worries Soup...
The $10 thing must have been a typo or he just could have paid it back and not been suspended at all.
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 05:49 PM
maybe since ray ray will miss almost 1/2 of the year he will stay for his senior year?
Posted by: TJL | August 30, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Dye played how much. Aldarius Johnson suspended indefinitly is blessing:)
Posted by: SinisterCane | August 30, 2011 at 05:52 PM
This is what amazes me about all the sensationalized coverage of this whole affair...
Rhett Bomar at Oklahoma took "improper benefits" that totalled 4 times the amount of all of our players combined...no calls for the death penalty, no "shut down the program" for Oklahoma...
Posted by: Texascane | August 30, 2011 at 05:53 PM
"Benjamin $10"
Posted by: Alberto | August 30, 2011 at 05:36 PM
What!?!?
Either that's a misprint, or the interrogators really broke His ass down...
Posted by: CaneRock | August 30, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Finally, UM head coach Al Golden announced that senior wide receiver Aldarius Johnson has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules
Man I'm crip walkin' right now, 1 less self-entitle player
Posted by: SinisterCane | August 30, 2011 at 05:55 PM
We are about to determine how good Al Golden really is as a coach. He has a lot of distractions and issues to deal with, but at least now the Canes know what to expect and can at least put this behind them.
I don't know who won the QB job in camp, but its now up to Morris-17 to step up. If Morris plays well in College Park, it will be hard for Golden to bench him going forward.
Golden will have the Canes ready to play.
Posted by: WindyCane-Forecast1 | August 30, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Eight Miami (Fla.) football student-athletes must miss competition and repay benefits as a condition of becoming eligible to play again, according to a decision Tuesday by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff. The student-athletes received varying levels of recruiting inducements and extra benefits from university booster Nevin Shapiro and athletics personnel, according to the facts of the case.
Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. This is typically well in advance of infractions decisions. The enforcement investigation into the university's football program is ongoing.
MIAMI SUSPENSIONS
Player Pos. Game(s)
Olivier Vernon DE 6
Aravious Armstrong S 4
Dyron Dye TE 4
Travis Benjamin WR 1
Marcus Forston DL 1
Jacory Harris QB 1
Adewale Ojomo DL 1
Sean Ryan Spence LB 1
Of the eight football student-athletes, three received substantial benefits as prospective student-athletes from Shapiro and athletics personnel to entice them to enroll at the university, which are considered some of the most serious recruiting violations within the NCAA.
Olivier Vernon, who received more than $1,200 in benefits primarily from Shapiro, must miss six games and make repayment of the value of the benefits. These recruitment benefits included meals, transportation, access to Shapiro’s game suite, drinks, as well as cover charges at two different nightclubs, among others.
Two other student-athletes, Aravious Armstrong and Dyron Dye, will miss four games and must make repayment. Armstrong received approximately $788 in extra benefits from Shapiro and athletics personnel during his recruitment. Dye received approximately $738. These student-athletes’ benefits included five nights of impermissible lodging from institutional staff during their unofficial visits, transportation, multiple meals, and entertainment at a gentleman’s club.
Different than the first three student-athletes, five other student-athletes received impermissible benefits while currently enrolled at the university.
These five student-athletes – Marcus Forston, Sean Ryan Spence, Adewale Ojomo, Travis Benjamin and Jacory Harris – must miss one game and make repayment. Forston received more than $400 in extra benefits from Shapiro and athletic personnel, including athletic equipment, meals, nightclub cover charges and entertainment at a gentleman’s club. Spence received approximately $275 in benefits, including meals, transportation, as well as cover charges and entertainment at a gentleman’s club. Ojomo received $240 in extra benefits, including a meal and nightclub cover charges. Benjamin received more than $150 in extra benefits, including meals and entertainment. Harris received more than $140 in benefits from meals, entertainment, transportation and nightclub cover charges.
During the student-athlete reinstatement process, the staff considers a number of factors including guidelines established by the Division I NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for the type of violations and value of benefits, if a significant competitive advantage was gained, the student-athlete’s responsibility for the violations and any mitigating circumstances presented by the school, among other factors.
“From regular reviews of our rules to the presidential retreat earlier this month, our members have continually stressed that involvement of third parties during recruitment will not be tolerated, and there must be accountability for inappropriate behavior,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs.
STUDENT-ATHLETE REINSTATEMENT
Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. Most cases are resolved quickly. In fact, many likely conclude before an investigation closes.
• More information
When a school discovers an NCAA rules violation has occurred, it must declare the student-athlete ineligible and may request the student-athlete’s eligibility be reinstated. The NCAA staff reviews each student-athlete’s reinstatement request individually based on its own merits and set of specific facts, which are agreed upon by the university and the NCAA enforcement staff. The University of Miami has not submitted any additional reinstatement requests at this time.
"The NCAA has informed the University of Miami of their decisions regarding the reinstatement of eight student-athletes who were declared ineligible by the University last week,” Miami athletics director Shawn Eichorst said. “The student-athletes involved have acknowledged receiving improper benefits and will now be responsible for restitution and, in some cases, the student-athletes will also serve game suspensions. They understand that their actions demand consequences.
"This university has the highest standards in all of our academic and athletic endeavors. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to build winning programs with the utmost of integrity. We will be more vigilant in our compliance and continue to work with the NCAA on the joint investigation to determine the facts.
"We appreciate the diligence and understanding of the NCAA staff and its handling of the student-athlete eligibility issues in an expeditious manner. I would also like to thank Coach [Al] Golden and his staff for their professionalism and leadership over the past few weeks."
The reinstatement process typically concludes prior to the close of the enforcement investigation, which must determine the university’s responsibility for violations. While it depends on the complexity of the case, most student-athlete reinstatement requests are resolved in about a week after the school has provided a complete request and the reinstatement staff has all the necessary information. In contrast an enforcement investigation, which also varies in length depending on the complexity, must look at the totality of issues and takes an average of 11 months. For this reason, student-athlete reinstatement decisions do not signal that an enforcement investigation is complete.
The university can appeal any student-athlete reinstatement decision to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, an independent panel comprised of representatives from NCAA member colleges, university and athletic conferences who are not directly affiliated with the university. This committee can reduce or remove the condition, but it cannot increase the staff-imposed conditions. If appealed, the student-athlete remains ineligible until the conclusion of the appeals process.
Posted by: TJL | August 30, 2011 at 06:00 PM
"Of the eight, three received substantial benefits as recruits from former booster Nevin Shapiro and athletics personnel to entice them to enroll at UM, which are considered some of the most serious recruiting violations within the NCAA."
That part hurts. I wonder when those names will be released?
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:00 PM
so is the investigation over????
Posted by: usagainsttheworld&thereferees | August 30, 2011 at 05:37 PM
**************************************
That’s the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. This thing is far from over and you can bet on that. It’s obvious that these guys came clean and that is why the NCAA didn’t make them eligible (ala Cam Newton). My only question is if Harris needed $140, couldn’t he have borrowed it from Vernon?
Getting a 1 game suspension for $10.00 is almost as bad as getting fired on your day off
Posted by: raizecane | August 30, 2011 at 06:06 PM
TLuv isn't it
> Defensive end Olivier Vernon received more than $1,200 in benefits and must miss six games and make repayment of the value of the benefits.
> Safety Ray Ray Armstrong and tight end Dyron Dye will miss four games and must make repayment. Ray Ray owes $788 and Dye owes $738.
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Oh well..until I hear houses, cars, etc. I think we will be fine. I believe this is on the adults still. It doesn't say which game the players have to sit. So is that up to Golden?
Posted by: dg | August 30, 2011 at 06:08 PM
offensive starters:
WR Byrd, Hurns; LT Figueroa; LG Gunn; C Horn; RG Linder; RT Washington; TE Calhoun; QB Morris
D-Starters: D-Line: Robinson, Regis, D. Smith, A. Smith Linebackers: Buchanon, Gaines, Futch DBs: M. Williams, Telemaque, Nicolas, McGee
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:08 PM
I guess with TB, it's really NOT about the Benjamins is it (LOL).
Sorry, I just had to say it...
Posted by: CaneRock | August 30, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Solar
I meant the names of the athletic personnel. (Hurtt, Panunnzio etc.)
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:10 PM
I think we see a lot of "freshmens flyin around"
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:11 PM
"and athletics personnel to entice them to enroll at UM,..."
Their are some ex assistant coaches from Miami who might want to apply at their local convenience store before this goes much further...
Posted by: Texascane | August 30, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Every starter back by division play
Gee the world didn't end and the sky is still right there
shocker
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:12 PM
I see what you mean now TLuv, I wasn't sure at first thanks
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:13 PM
I bet Vernon's amount is inflated because they factored in the price of NS's suite at the game. That alone is a lot
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Football Papa Cane
Do Not Expect: WR Aldarius Johnson to play another down as a UM player. He broke more than team rules.
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:14 PM
So...of the Sanford trio, Debose didn't partake in ANY illegal acts....right on NCAA !!!
Posted by: Dadesfynest83 | August 30, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Solar I'll be expecting you or Ohio to be posting a link that Clint Hurtt has been fired/resigned from UL in the next week.
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:16 PM
Getting a 1 game suspension for $10.00 is almost as bad as getting fired on your day off
Posted by: raizecane | August 30, 2011 at 06:06 PM
You know how it is when those Jordans come out, when you gotta have em', you gotta have em', JH wasn't gonna wait on an answer from OV...
Posted by: CaneRock | August 30, 2011 at 06:16 PM
One positive from Vernon's long suspension is we have a better chance of holding onto him for his senior season. Vernon + Chickillo as DEs = plenty of sacks!
Posted by: Chris | August 30, 2011 at 06:19 PM
...and Nick Saban vetted Stoutland...let's see what he says in about six months...
Posted by: Texascane | August 30, 2011 at 06:19 PM
@Dadesfynest...I was thinking the SAME thing
On a good note...we'll have everyone but Vernon back for VT. And he will be eligible for FSU.
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:20 PM
This just in: "Glue Hands" has been sent to the glue factory.
Film at 11...and it will NOT be pretty!
Posted by: SOUP | August 30, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Well, all of U Stephen Morris supporters out there U got your wish. Let's see how that turns out? Good I hope...
Posted by: SOUP | August 30, 2011 at 06:24 PM
That part hurts. I wonder when those names will be released?
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Well, I would bet on Ray-Ray, Dye, and Vernon.
Like I said: the U better win big this year, because the hammer is going to come down.
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 30, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Do Not Expect: WR Aldarius Johnson to play another down as a UM player. He broke more than team rules.
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:14 PM
No way, man! Wurd on da skreet was that he was going to be the best receiver ever at Miami.
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 30, 2011 at 06:25 PM
TLuv I think you are right about Hurtt
soup, sorry about AJ the kid was another with unlimited potential and washed out.
Posted by: solarcane | August 30, 2011 at 06:26 PM
DJ-I meant the "athletics personnel" part. Sorry I should've been more clear
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:27 PM
So far, so good. Not sure where the $$$ figures come from but it doesn't look like the nCAA bought Shapiro's story about bowling for dollars tournaments.
Posted by: j.w. | August 30, 2011 at 06:31 PM
UM spokesman Chris Freet confirms that all one-game suspensions will be served against Maryland
Posted by: SOUP | August 30, 2011 at 06:32 PM
DJ-I meant the "athletics personnel" part. Sorry I should've been more clear
Posted by: TLuv | August 30, 2011 at 06:27 PM
Oh, well, at least Hurtt and Pannunzio. Maybe Aubrey Hill.
Posted by: dj moonbat | August 30, 2011 at 06:33 PM