Tue Jan 8 19:55:27 2008

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NCAA imposes penalties against Prairie View A&M

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Prairie View, TX (Sports Network) - The NCAA on Tuesday penalized Prairie View A&M by taking away scholarships for women's basketball and placing the program on four years of probation.

The penalties come after the NCAA's Committee on Infractions sent the school its report on an investigation. Prairie View said it will not appeal the decision.

Scholarships were reduced from 15 to 12 for two academic years and there was also a decrease in the number of women's basketball contact opportunities.

Extra benefits, out-of-season practice, player eligibility and lack of institutional control were the causes of the violations apparently committed in 2005-06 by coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.

"We are pleased that the NCAA has concluded its work in this case and agree with their findings," PVAMU president George C. Wright said. "In all aspects the report is fair. Our athletics department views this report and its findings as an opportunity for the university to improve and address its NCAA compliance requirements. We are currently working to implement corrective actions to meet and exceed the NCAA recommendations and requirements. Additionally, we are eager to move forward and continue to experience athletic success and build a program that fully reflects PVAMU's values."