Final ruling received from NCAA

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has received final clarification from the NCAA regarding the application of the vacation of records penalty imposed against its men’s track and field program.

As a result of the ruling, Arkansas has vacated individual points gained by a former student-athlete in team scored events during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. The deductions to the team points and the corresponding adjustment of the Razorbacks’ team finish results in the vacation of two NCAA national championships and one NCAA regional championship.

"During the course of this matter, the University of Arkansas has pursued every avenue afforded to it in the NCAA infractions process," Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. "Although we are disappointed in the ultimate outcome, we respect the process and the final determination. The University has begun the process of implementing the vacation of records penalty and will move quickly to complete the process. With this matter concluded, we will move forward by making an even stronger and more concerted commitment to NCAA rules compliance."

The deduction of the former student-athlete’s points results in the vacation of the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships won by the University of Arkansas. Arkansas has now won 40 NCAA championships in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. In addition, the 2004 NCAA Mideast Regional Championship was vacated based on the deduction of points. Team points were also vacated in the 2004 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships resulting in the vacation of Arkansas’ second-place finish.

Arkansas’ team points were also adjusted in the 2004 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships, the 2004 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the 2005 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 2005 NCAA Mideast Regional. The vacation of points did not alter the Razorbacks’ team place with Arkansas retaining the conference championship in both the 2004 and 2005 SEC Outdoor Championships, a team title in the 2005 NCAA Mideast Regional and a runner-up finish at the 2004 SEC Indoor Championships.

With the conclusion of this process, University officials will not have any further comment on this matter.