The cloud hanging over Fairfield’s men’s basketball team and the entire athletics department at large for nearly 16 months was lifted when an investigation into NCAA violations came up without finding any major offenses.
The investigation began when several players who recently graduated aired their complaints to the Connecticut Post in an early Aug. 2003 article. They charged the basketball staff with helping to falsify drug tests, committing academic dishonesty and providing cash handouts to players.
The extensive review of the program ended with the discovery of only a few secondary violations, which is not uncommon when such a thorough examination is made. These violations resulted in just a few light sanctions against the team.
“We are pleased that this is over,” said men’s basketball Head Coach Tim O’Toole. “We are looking forward to the rest of our season.”
Despite the team’s ultimate exoneration from all charges, they underperformed during the season and got eliminated in the MAAC tournament semifinals.
-Steven M. Andrews
Leave a Reply