[mpoverlay]Grambling State University men’s basketball will lose practice time, scholarships and two games off of its 2012-13 schedule as a penalty for shortcomings in established NCAA’s academic progress rate benchmarks, the school announced today.

“The university is committed to enhancing academic excellence and ensuring that all of our students, including athletes, are successful,” states Grambling president, Dr. Frank Pogue.  “The recent appointment of a new Athletic Director, Men’s Head Basketball Coach and a renewed commitment to academic performance is evidence that the APR problem in men’s basketball is temporary. These appointments add significant strength to our overall highly competent coaching and athletic staff, all of whom understand the importance of student success.”

The sanctions, in detail:

1. Loss of four hours and one day of countable athletically related activity each week during the 2012-2013 playing and practice season.
2. Loss of four hours of countable athletically related activity each week outside of its 2012-2013 playing and practice season.
3. Reduction of 10 percent in the length of the playing season during 2012-2013 academic year. The team may not commence on-court preseason basketball practice sessions until 5 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2012.
4. Reduction of two contests during the 2012-2013 playing and practice season for a maximum of 27 contests. Any contests which are part of a qualifying regular season multiple-team event as defined by Bylaw 17.3.5.1.1 must count as individual contest.
5. Limited to awarding 10 scholarships during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Grambling last week announced Joseph Price as the new head men’s basketball coach.[/mpoverlay]

Grambling State University SWAC Basketball