INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Southern California athletic director Pat Haden and university president Max Nikias have begun their formal appeal to reduce NCAA football sanctions.
The two men entered Saturday morning’s meeting at a hotel in Indianapolis, where the NCAA headquarters is based.
The Trojans want the NCAA to reduce a two-year bowl ban on its storied football program to one year. They’re also asking the NCAA to limit scholarship reductions to five in each of the next three years instead of 10.
The NCAA imposed the penalties June 10 after determining football player Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo each received improper benefits. The school is only appealing the football sanctions, arguing they are excessive. Bush also gave back his Heisman Trophy.