CASTINE, Maine -- Maine Maritime President William Brennan says he's confident no one intentionally violated NCAA rules leading to the football team being placed on probation for two years.
The NCAA announced Thursday that Maine Maritime failed to properly monitor the creation and awarding of four scholarships that improperly included athletics participation as criteria. Two of the scholarships gave preference to students-athletes, while the other two required participation in athletics.
The college says $6,150 was awarded to eight athletes over four years in amounts from $475 to $1,000.
Brennan said the college discovered the infractions in 2011 and immediately reported them to the NCAA.
Besides being placed on probation, the NCAA vacated Maine Maritime's participation in the 2009 Division III tournament. The team played in the first round but failed to advance.
