Football
    USC's Response To NCAA Appeal Decision
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    May 26, 2011

    USC's Original Appeal in PDF FormatGet Acrobat Reader

    USC's Supplement To Its Appeal in PDF FormatGet Acrobat Reader

    USC's Rebuttal Brief in PDF FormatGet Acrobat Reader

    We respectfully, but vehemently, disagree with the findings of the NCAA's Infractions Appeals Committee. Our position was that the Committee on Infractions abused its discretion and imposed penalties last June that were excessive and inconsistent with established case precedent.

    Pat Haden, USC's athletic director, said: "I was part of the USC team that met with the Infractions Appeals Committee on January 22nd. Although I am gravely disappointed, I can assure our student-athletes, coaches and fans that we made every possible argument -- forcefully and vigorously -- for modifying unjust penalties."

    USC President C. L. Max Nikias added: "We are extremely disappointed in this result. We are very concerned that the historical value of case precedent and the right to fair process in the NCAA adjudicative process, both in terms of the ability of an institution to defend itself or prove an abuse of discretion on appeal, have been substantially eroded. Further, the decisions of the COI and IAC have set a standard that leaves little, if any, room to discipline more egregious violations that will be addressed by the NCAA in the future without irreparably damaging athletic programs across the country. Notwithstanding this troubling concern and our grave disappointment, we will look forward to the future."