MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Thirteen Ball State players, more than half of them projected starters, were suspended for Saturday’s season-opening football game at No. 11 Iowa in a continuing investigation of NCAA violations.
The university said Friday that 43 athletes in six sports improperly used a book loan program to obtain textbooks not required for their own courses or received improperly obtained textbooks from other players.
The football players suspended for Saturday’s game include the top returning rusher from last season, Charles Wynn, and the top returning receiver, Bryan Williamson. Others listed as starters on the Cardinals’ pre-game depth chart are defensive end Cortlan Booker, tackle Temidayo Macarthy, saftey David Gater, cornerback Randell Means, nose tackle Tom Kellar, offensive tackle Justin Schneider.
Brady Hoke said in Monday's press conference that Williamson had not been named a starter due to practice performance, not due to a violation.
Also suspended were linebackers Donta Smith and David Denham, receiver Louis Johnson, tackle Amara Koroma and cornerback Lavell Mosley.
The numer of 43 was in increase from the 25 athletes in four sports named in on May 15.
The violations were discovered last spring and were reported to the NCAA, which has not yet taken any action.
The 13 football players and three volleyball players, who also were suspended are the only athletes identified so far by the university.
"As soon as we became aware of irregularities with book loans for a few student-athletes for the 2004-05 academic year through regular business review, we chose to examine the records for all 186 student-athletes who received financial aid for books that year," athletic director Bubba Cunningham said.
He said the NCAA reviewed a report by Ball State this summer and recommended expanding the investigation to previous years and with different types of records.
‘‘We are working as quickly as we can to move ahead on their recommendations,’’ Cunningham said.
As first reported by the Daily News, Ball State suspended volleyball players Stephanie Bacan, Rachel Refenes and Kristin Westhof for the Michigan State Invitational on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Since the violations were discovered, Cunningham said, the university has tightened its policies on book loans, including a separate checkout counter for athletes. Athletes also must show their class schedules when receiving books.
Under the book loan program, athletes whose financial aid covers books for required courses receive books on loan from the university at the beginning of the semester. The books are returned to the bookstore at the end of the semester.
The Daily News will continue to post updates as the are released. Check Tuesday's paper for complete coverage of the weekend's game and more information on the violations.
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