SIDELINES : Houston Gymnasts Suspended

The gymnastics team at Houston Baptist University was given three years’ probation today by the NCAA for “major violations.” The Huskies were barred from preseason and postseason competition for two years.

“Because it was determined that ineligible student athletes competed for the university in the 1987, 1988 and 1989 national collegiate division I men’s gymnastics championships, the NCAA will vacate all team and individual records earned by the ineligible student athletes during those championships,” the NCAA said. The ineligible athletes were not named by the NCAA.

In addition to being ineligible for postseason and preseason play for 1990-91 and 1991-92, Houston Baptist is also prohibited from giving any new scholarships in men’s gymnastics in the 1990-91 and 1991-92 academic years.

“In its report, the (infractions) committee cited major violations that ‘gave the university extraordinary recruiting and competitive advantages,’ ” the NCAA said.