Texas Tech Is Put on Probation

Texas Tech’s football program was put on probation for one year and penalized three scholarships for the 1988-89 season for violating recruiting rules, including cash offers to athletes, officials said Tuesday.

The probation will begin immediately because university officials said they would not appeal. Only 22 football players at Texas Tech may receive financial aid in the 1988-89 academic year, the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. said.

The school becomes the third Southwest Conference school now on NCAA probation. Last Wednesday, Southern Methodist was stripped of its 1987 season and part of the next because of repeated violations. Texas Christian gets off probation next year.

The NCAA said the recruiting violations included inducements to prospective players, none of whom ever attended the school.

The inducements ranged from $80 to $300 in cash and groceries to a pair of ostrich-skin boots and a trip to Las Vegas. Other violations included providing free meals and transportation to prospective players.