Jim Calhoun released a statement on Friday night apologizing for the NCAA violations after UConn and Calhoun were hit with sanctions on Tuesday. As a result, Calhoun was suspended for the first three games of the Big East schedule next season. UConn was placed on probation for three years and had the amount of scholarships available reduced to 12 over the next three years, as well.
Calhoun took full responsibility for the violations, but didn’t say whether he’ll appeal the punishments (via Greenwich Time)
“As the leader of the Connecticut basketball program and an ambassador of the University, the buck stops with me. No qualifications. No exceptions,” Calhoun said. “Without going into the details of the case or addressing each of the findings and subsequent penalties, I fully acknowledge that we, as a staff, made mistakes and would like to apologize to the University and all associated with UConn on behalf of myself and the men’s basketball program.”
Calhoun is currently away from the team, mourning the death of his wife’s sister. Without him on the bench, the Huskies lost to Marquette on Thursday evening, 74-67.
UConn still has time to appeal both the suspension and other sanctions handed down as a result of a lengthy investigation into the recruitment of Nate Miles. The NCAA found a former UConn team manager, identified as a booster, provided Miles with improper benefits during the recruitment process. Miles never played for the Huskies as he was expelled from school in 2008.
For more on the investigation, check out the rest of our StoryStream. To connect with UConn fans, check out SB Nation’s The UConn Blog.