After defeating Alabama State 11-6 to complete the program’s first championship season in over four decades, reality set in on Texas Southern University’s athletic program as they resumed cooperating with the NCAA in an investigation that could potentially put the program’s newly found success at risk.
Since Oct. 18, the program has been under investigation for violations found during the NCAA’s Academic Performance Program data review, which found potential violations relating to the football and men’s basketball programs.
According to Fox 26 Sports, the program was notified of the investigation in a letter written by NCAA Vice-President of Enforcement David Price.
TSU Athletics Director Charles McClelland issued a statement regarding the issue saying that the program was selected for a random review of academic performance program data for 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07, in which both the institution and the NCAA found inconsistencies.
Those inconsistencies have led to a thorough investigation of the program, including this year’s controversial issue over the eligibility of standout quarterback Arvell Nelson during the Tiger’s championship season.
A transfer from the University of Iowa after the 2007 season, the dual-threat quarterback led TSU’s offense as he passed for 1,772 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 4.6 yards per carry and a passer rating of 112.9.
Nelson’s worst game in conference play came against the defending champion Prairie View A&M Panthers as he threw a season high four interceptions in 16-14 loss, the Tigers’ only conference loss of the season.
The Tigers’ defensive unit was forced to carry the load in a 20-13 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and during the SWAC championship victory over Alabama State, as Nelson was placed on the inactive list after TSU’s 41-34 overtime victory over Grambling State, the game that clinched the Tigers’ birth in the SWAC Championship.
Although school officials argue that Nelson’s situation wouldn’t make the program subject to forfeit or be penalized for any games that he played in, TSU Head Coach Jonnie Cole said that the decision to bench Nelson for the last two games was made to “protect Texas Southern, first and foremost, and protect our school policies.”
TSU Director of Communications Eva Pickens said, “At present, there is no news regarding the NCAA investigation. It is my understanding that questions were asked, and TSU responded to those inquiries. As far as I know, we have not heard anything else.”
Any additional penalties placed on the athletics program would add to sanctions placed on TSU’s softball and men’s and women’s tennis team, which were issued in 2008 and will not be removed until July 2012. The investigation is scheduled to conclude at the end of February.