The Syracuse basketball program will gain back one scholarship per year over the next four years after a successful appeal, the University announced on Wednesday afternoon. Syracuse also will receive a $1.23 million reduction in the financial penalty previously imposed.
Still, the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee didn’t restore any of SU’s vacated wins, which came out to a final total of 101. The Appeals Committee also deferred a ruling on Jim Boeheim, who was suspended for a portion of the ACC schedule.
That ruling opens up a scholarship for Syracuse to pursuit a recruit in its 2016 class that already includes top 100 recruits Matt Moyer and Tyus Battle. The Orange has continued to recruit big man Taurean Thompson in the meantime, and now has a scholarship to offer.
» Related: Syracuse’s mettle will be tested in Battle 4 Atlantis
“The University is pleased with these two positive outcomes resulting from our appeal. We strongly believed the original scholarship reduction penalty was too severe when compared to other infraction cases,” said Kevin Quinn, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs at Syracuse in a statement. “Also, the scholarship reduction penalty directly impacts current and future student-athletes and their academic and athletic opportunities. We remain disappointed in the decision to vacate a significant amount of men’s basketball wins, a decision that was upheld.”
The original penalty was handed down by the NCAA Committee on Infractions on March 6, 2015. That included a loss of three scholarships a year for four years for a total of 12, a five-year probation, a nine-game ACC suspension for Boeheim to begin in 2016, and the vacation of 108 wins.
Syracuse submitted its appeal on March 20, 2015.
“Although the appellate panel did not grant every one of our requests, it recognized there was merit in our appeal. We simply sought to be judged according to the same standards as other institutions, and we did our best to achieve that goal,” Quinn said. “Regardless of today’s outcome, our top priority is to give our student-athletes the best possible education and teach them how to achieve their highest potential in the classroom and on the playing fields. We look forward to a bright future for all of our student-athletes and teams.”
For more Syracuse coverage, Like our Facebook page and follow us @TheJuiceOnline.
