Maryland Penalizes Itself for Breaking an NCAA Rule

The University of Maryland has penalized itself for an admitted rules violation by delaying the opening of men’s basketball practice five days.

Athletic Director Andy Geiger, in making the announcement, said the length of the self-imposed penalty matched the number of pickup games observed by Coach Gary Williams and his coaching staff before last season. Geiger said that Williams had watched parts of two workouts.

“I consider this pretty important, and I want to get this business behind us and not have to worry about this anymore,” said Geiger, who assumed his new position last week.

With the penalty, the Terps will open preseason practice Oct. 20 rather than the normal Oct. 15.

Geiger was to meet today with Mark Jones, a director of enforcement for the NCAA, at the organization’s headquarters outside Kansas City.

Observing preseason workouts normally is considered a minor, or secondary, infraction by the NCAA. But the NCAA has examined this matter more vigorously because Maryland was under investigation for more serious violations committed under former Coach Bob Wade.

The Terps subsequently were put on three years’ probation, including a two-year ban from postseason competition and a one-year ban from live television appearances. Maryland’s appeal of the sanctions was rejected by the NCAA in August.

Asked if the self-imposed penalty would ensure that the NCAA doesn’t pursue the matter further, Geiger said: “I’m hopeful it will be a sign that we’re taking this very seriously. There is a clear message that we want to have a firm hand at the helm.”

Said Jones: “I won’t comment on whether a self-imposed penalty by an institution is appropriate. Anything they report will be reviewed by the Committee on Infractions.”

The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions will meet next in Hilton Head, S.C., Nov. 8-10.