Illinois College put on three years probation for unethical conduct

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The NCAA has cited the football coach at Division III Illinois College for unethical conduct and put the school on three years of probation.

The NCAA said Friday that the small liberal arts college in central Illinois also will suffer recruiting restrictions. The NCAA Division III Committee on Infractions cited the football coach for providing false information and said the head coach and two other coaches “failed to establish an atmosphere for compliance” in football, men’s and women’s swimming and men’s golf.

NCAA officials say the three coaches sent 515 impermissible text messages to 81 prospective student-athletes from 2008 through 2011.

Illinois College President Axel Steuer called the violations disappointing and embarrassing. The school says it has put in place new programs and controls to ensure future compliance with NCAA rules.