ASU Track Program Placed on Probation

The Arizona State track and field program was put on two years’ probation by the Pacific 10 Conference Tuesday for 11 rule violations, the third time the Sun Devils have been cited since 1981.

The sanctions, which resulted from a 10-month investigation, include limiting Arizona State to on-campus meets and no postseason competition in 1988-89. The program also will have restrictions on the number of scholarships for the next two years, a prohibition against off-campus recruiting next season and elimination of all expenses-paid recruiting in 1988-89.

The penalties were imposed for violations involving extra benefits for athletes including a cash payment, improper transportation, interest-free loans for travel expenses and expenses to ineligible athletes.

Conference officials also penalized Cal for four violations involving a football player who received unearned academic credit from a community college to remain eligible for the 1987 season.

The university was limited to granting 28 new and 93 total football scholarships for the 1988-89 academic year, two fewer than currently permitted.