Big Ten schools have largely avoided serious NCAA trouble in recent years. In October, Wisconsin became the first school in five years to be hit with sanctions.
Below is a list of programs cited for major violations since the NCAA made its strongest statement yet against cheating, the SMU "death penalty" case in 1987. ESPN.com rates the severity of those penalties on a 0-5 scale, with 5 as most severe.
Wisconsin
Year: 2001
Violation: 157 athletes in 14 sports since 1993 allegedly received unadvertised discounts and no-interest credit arrangements from Badgers booster who owned an area shoe store; dozens of athletes never paid off their balance. Some prospects received improper housing benefits. School also cited for failure to monitor its program.
Major penalties: Limited to signing only 20 recruits for two years (down from the usual maximum of 25 recruits).
Severity of sanctions: 1
Notable: NCAA went easy on Badgers even though it was third major rules violation since 1994 because previous violations were of different type. Coach Barry Alvarez unsure whether scholarship cuts will hurt program.
Michigan State
Year: 1996
Violation: Football team's academic advisor was cited for academic fraud, for allegedly submitting phony papers, pressuring teachers, and helping players acquire grade changes through improper means.
Major penalties: Limited to signing only 23 recuits in 1996 and 18 recruits in '97 (down from the usual maximum of 25 recruits).
Severity of sanctions: 1
Notable: Then-coach Nick Saban was relieved, saying "This was very positive. I would have felt a lot worse about giving up a bowl game. Scholarships are a manageable penalty."
Minnesota
Year: 1991
Violation: School administrator allegedly funneled unauthorized university funds to 23 players. Also, former coach Lou Holtz was cited for giving $250 to an athlete so he could enroll in a correspondence course, and for giving $25 to $40 to a recruit who lost his wallet during a campus visit.
Major penalties: 1-year bowl ban.
Severity of sanctions: 2
Notable: By time Holtz was cited for violations, he already had taken job at Notre Dame.
Minnesota
Year: 1988
Violation: An assistant coach failed to report an athlete's delayed payment for an airline ticket the coach had arranged, and he allegedly hindered the investigation of the matter by making misleading statements when he was initially questioned. Several airlines tickets were arranged on a pre-paid basis.
Major penalties: None.
Severity of sanctions: 0
Notable: Football violations were lumped into a larger case made against Gophers basketball program, which received two-year postseason ban.
Illinois
Year: 1988
Violation: Recruiting coordinator Rick George allegedly gave at least $100 to prospect Hart Lee Dykes, who later signed with Oklahoma State. George also was accused of providing a car ride in violation of NCAA rules and making impermissible contact with a player during recruitment.
Major penalties: None.
Severity of sanctions: 0
Notable: School's second scandal in four years cost job of head coach Mike White, and George moved on as well. Swift action against coaches kept Illini from one-year bowl ban, NCAA said. Illinois football had been on probation from 1984 to '86, when sanctions included a bowl and TV bans and restrictions on scholarships.
