UCF has confirmed that the NCAA has granted the school’s appeal of a one-year postseason football ban today, making the Knights bowl eligible for the 2013 season.
“We are pleased with this ruling and applaud the NCAA for handling our appeal with care, competency and professionalism,” UCF President John C. Hitt said in a statement. “Our football program looks forward to competing for an American Athletic Conference championship and a bowl berth.”
UCF’s football and men’s basketball program faced sanctions for multiple recruiting violations and “lack of institutional control”. Those penalties originally included a one-year postseason ban on the programs.
In its report about the appeal, the NCAA wrote “the penalty in question was based in significant part on irrelevant factors resulting in an abuse of discretion” by the NCAA Committee on Infractions, a statement from UCF said.
KnightNews.com first reported that UCF won the ban on Friday after confirming the information through multiple sources.
“I think it was great news for UCF, the UCF football program and the fan base with the appeal committee reversing the decision on the postseason ban,” head coach George O’Leary said. “President Hitt decided to appeal this ban and I’m glad for UCF and the football program that it turned out in our favor.”
