Jackets placed on probation

ATLANTA - The NCAA finally slapped Georgia Tech with penalties Thursday in its long-running infractions case.

And it stung more than school officials likely imagined.

College athletics' governing body placed the school on two years' probation and stripped the football program of six scholarships in each of the next two years for allowing 17 ineligible student-athletes to compete over a seven-year period.

Georgia Tech must also vacate at least 47 football victories - including those in its 1998 Atlantic Coast Conference championship season - as part of its punishment.

"We are disappointed with the severity of the ruling of the NCAA Infractions Committee," Georgia Tech President Wayne Clough said. "We fully believe our shortcoming was due to a failure to monitor a handful of student-athletes from a period of 1998 to 2004."

Athletic director Dave Blaine hinted the school likely will appeal the penalties. Georgia Tech has 15 days to file an appeal, which would stretch out a process already more than 2 years old. Georgia Tech launched an internal investigation in July 2003.

"I don't know if there is an advantage in not appealing," Braine said. "We don't agree with some things. And it won't hurt. One good thing about the appeal process is they can't stretch your penalty."

The NCAA Infractions Committee agreed with the school's claim that there was no deception involved in the situation.

The NCAA ruling is the latest episode in what has been a soap opera-like week for Georgia Tech. Gailey received a new five-year contract on Tuesday. Hours later, a Fulton County judge ordered the reinstatement of suspected drug trafficker Reuben Houston to the football team.

Reach Adam Van Brimmer at (404) 589-8424 or adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.