TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- The NCAA found no new allegations of academic cheating by Florida State student-athletes, but it may consider additional penalties against the school, including forfeiture of games.
The university Friday released documents related to the NCAA investigation. Included was Florida State's response to allegations from the NCAA. The school initially uncovered and reported the cheating scandal.
The response admits to breaking rules but argues against a financial penalty or game forfeiture in part because of steps the university already has taken, including suspending athletes from competition and reducing scholarships.
Athletes cheated on an online test from the fall of 2006 through summer 2007. They also received improper help from staffers who provided them with answers to the exam and typed papers for them.
"We believe that ours was a thorough and exhaustive inquiry, including extensive examinations of computer records and files to search for any evidence of impropriety regarding NCAA or university rules," Florida State president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement.
The NCAA will decide the case in an Oct. 18 hearing.
Florida State in February announced it was penalizing itself with two years of probation, the loss of scholarships in 10 sports, and suspensions of 30 percent of a season for 61 athletes -- about a third of them football players. The probation does not include a ban on postseason play.
EAST CAROLINA: In Greenville, N.C., the State Bureau of Investigation will look into reports that some police officers used excessive force on fans who rushed the football field after East Carolina' upset victory over West Virginia last weekend, school officials said Friday.
The university had received complaints, and video showed fans being knocked down by some officers. Campus police were able to identify police officers and sheriff's deputies shown in the video clips, and they decided to turn over their investigation to the state, said university Police Chief Scott Shelton .
The Pirates defeated the then-No. 8 West Virginia 24-3 last Saturday, and the win propelled East Carolina to a No. 14 national ranking -- their first appearance in the Top 25 since 1999.
Separately, the school is being fined $10,000 by Conference USA because fans ran onto the field. A policy prohibits public access to competition areas until the visiting team and officials are in the locker rooms.
WEST VIRGINIA: Coach Bill Stewart has signed a six-year contract worth $800,000 this year, with an annual increase of $50,000. The deal includes $550,000 a year in supplemental income for promotional purposes.
Stewart can also earn an additional $400,000 per year in incentives, with an extra $150,000 for a national championship.
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