Michigan football program broke rules, players say

[gophersfan]

The University of Michigan football team consistently has violated NCAA rules governing off-season workouts, in-season demands on players and mandatory summer activities under coach Rich Rodriguez, numerous players told the Free Press.

Players on the 2008 and 2009 teams described training and practice sessions that far exceeded limits set by the NCAA, which governs college athletics. The restrictions are designed to protect players’ well-being, ensure adequate study time and prevent schools from gaining an unfair competitive advantage.

The players, who did not want to be identified because they feared repercussions from coaches, said the violations occurred routinely at the direction of Rodriguez’s staff.

“It’s one of those things where you can’t say something,” one current Wolverine said. “If you say something, they’re going to say you’re a lazy person and don’t want to work hard.”

http://www.freep.com/article/200908...gan-football-program-broke-rules--players-say

 

[ERob12]

What happens to their program then if this report is true- can they punish Michigan off of the information from former players?

 

[thailleagle]

This would happen the year we *DON'T* play them.......

 

[MinnesotaBoiler99]

As a former Big Ten athlete (albeit in a non-revenue sport) this "infraction" is not terribly uncommon. It's been awhile since I played, but the rules appear to be the same - 20 hours of practice a week during the season and 8 hours of "individual" workouts during the offseason, and those individual workouts could include no more than 4 players. You also had at least one full off day per week. You have to sign off on the hours every week, so like the Michigan player said, if you complained about it, you were dealt with accordingly (i.e. benched). I wish I only had to practice 20 hours per week.