University files notice of appeal with NCAA

Sep 4, 2009 - 10:53 PM By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer

The University of Memphis filed notice Friday of its intent to appeal the NCAA's ruling forcing the school to vacate all 38 wins from the Tigers' historic 2007-08 season that ended in the national championship game.

Memphis officials are upset the NCAA clearing house cleared a player believed to be NBA star Derrick Rose to play. The committee on infractions later ruled the player ineligible after a testing service invalidated his SAT score, prompting the penalties.

That is the only finding by the NCAA's committee on infractions that Memphis is appealing. School officials say the punishments of vacating that season from the books along with all the banners and the $615,000 in NCAA tournament revenue is excessive.

University officials declared their intent to appeal Aug. 20 when the NCAA announced the ruling by the committee on infractions. Memphis had 15 days to file notice of the appeal and after Friday's actions now has 30 days to file arguments why the ineligibility ruling and punishment should be reversed.

The university retained the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King in Overland Park, Kan., as outside counsel, and the notice obtained by The Associated Press states that Mike Glazier will be the university's point person in the appeal. Memphis also wants an in-person hearing with the Infractions Appeals Committee.

In the notice of appeal, Memphis cited an NCAA bylaw that says the committee's finding was wrong for one of three reasons: The committee misconstrued the evidence, that the facts did not show a clear rules violation or that that the only mistake made by the university was a procedural error.

Once Memphis files its appeal, the Infractions Appeals Committee will have 30 days to respond with both the university and then NCAA enforcement staff getting a short period to comment. Memphis will have the last chance to respond before the committee's appeal.