ATLANTA (AP) - Longtime Georgia swimming coach Jack Bauerle has been suspended indefinitely following NCAA findings released Friday of two major rules violations resulting from his involvement in star Chase Kalisz’s academic eligibility.
Georgia announced Friday the NCAA informed the school on Wednesday Bauerle has been accused of severe breach of conduct and providing extra benefits to Kalisz. Georgia has 90 days to respond to the NCAA findings.
Bauerle, head coach of the U.S. women’s team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is one of the nation’s top coaches. He has coached the Georgia women since 1979 and the men’s program since 1983.
Georgia won its second straight NCAA women’s title last month. The school suspended Bauerle for the final three months of the season as it investigated the allegations.
According to documents from the NCAA released by Georgia, Bauerle allegedly made special arrangements with a professor to add Kalisz to a course after classes had ended. The NCAA says Kalisz was given a passing grade even though he didn’t complete any work for the course.
The NCAA says Bauerle made arrangements for Kalisz to receive an incomplete for the course until Kalisz could make up the work. According to the NCAA findings, the instructor “made a clerical error and provided the student-athlete with a passing grade for the course.”
Bauerle and Kalisz were initially withheld from competition when Georgia began its review of the allegations in January. Kalisz was reinstated on Jan. 17.
“I regret that I have placed the University of Georgia, an institution I dearly love and have given my heart and soul to for 44 years, in this situation,” Bauerle said in a statement released by Georgia. “While I do not agree with the charges in the way the NCAA has framed them, I made a mistake. … I take full responsibility for my actions.”
Bauerle said Kalisz “did nothing wrong. Not one thing.”
Kalisz won a silver in the 400-meter individual medley in the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona. He has won two straight NCAA championships in the event. He set a meet record in defending his title last month in Austin, Texas.
The NCAA said the alleged violation could be regarded as a severe breach of conduct because it involved an extra benefit “intended to provide a substantial competitive advantage.”
The NCAA said Georgia “discovered and reported the violations in a very short time frame” and “imposed meaningful corrective measures and/or penalties” by suspending Bauerle during the season.
Senior associate head coach Harvey Humphries filled in for Bauerle, including at the NCAA championships.
University of Georgia president Jere Morehead promised Georgia’s cooperation with the NCAA will continue.
“While I am disappointed about the notice of allegations, I am proud of the athletic department’s response to this matter,” Morehead said in a statement released by Georgia. “The University of Georgia takes its compliance obligations seriously. We have cooperated fully with the NCAA throughout the investigation, and we will continue to do so in order to bring the matter to an appropriate conclusion.”
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said the allegations “are extremely disappointing.”
McGarity said Bauerle is suspended “from all job-related responsibilities effective immediately.”
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