Georgia Tech slapped by NCAA, vacates 2009 ACC Football Title

Georgia Tech was hit hard today by the NCAA Committee on Infractions after they cited the Yellow Jackets with multiple rules violations and failing to cooperate with their investigation.

As a result, Georgia Tech has been placed on four years probation and vacated their 2009 ACC Football Championship Game victory. The NCAA also placed restrictions on Tech’s men’s basketball scholarships.

The football violations occurred when an unnamed student-athlete and a teammate received $312 in impermissible gifts during the 2009 season. He was not held out of competition after the NCAA alerted Tech to his possible ineligibility.

Georgia Tech AD Dan Radakovich was informed of the violation and informed football head coach Paul Johnson. But Radakovich failed to alert Johnson not to talk to the second player which, in turn, hindered the NCAA investigation.

“This case provides a cautionary tale of conduct that member institutions should avoid while under investigation for violations of NCAA rules” the NCAA stated in its report.

Because the ineligible player was not held out of competition “…the institution will vacate all contests won by the institution’s football team after November 24, 2009, the day that it was alerted by the NCAA that student-athletes 1’s eligibility was in question, and ending with the institution’s bowl game, which concluded the 2009 season. [Note: The only contest won by the institution’s football team during this time period was the 2009 ACC championship game.]”

Although the period above falls within the time frame of the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game, the Bulldogs were victorious so that record should stand. Georgia defeated Tech 30-24 in Atlanta on November 28, 2009.

Listed below are the penalties imposed on Georgia Tech:

• Four years’ probation (July 14, 2011 through July 13, 2015)
• Reduction in official men’s basketball recruiting visits for 2011-12 and 2012-13
• $100,000 fine
• Vacating 2009 ACC championship game victory
• Reduction in recruiting days for 2011 summer evaluation period.
• Public reprimand and censure
• NCAA Infractions Report – Georgia Tech (PDF)