Almost eight weeks have passed since the NCAA began investigating the men’s tennis team, and University officials have yet to learn of the results.
NCAA officials began their probe of the tennis program Feb. 22, after the University filed its report to the association.
Initially, the investigation was expected to last four to six weeks, but Athletics Director Joel Maturi said the NCAA might be looking into “additional potential violations.” He added he does not know where the NCAA is in its investigation.
“We thought we would have the report by this time, but, obviously, we do not,” he said. “Whether we get it soon, it’s our hope, but it’s really, truly in (the NCAA’s) hands.”
NCAA officials said they were unable to comment on the investigation.
The investigation stems from possible infractions regarding two student-athletes’ involvement in a summer tennis internship program at the North Oaks Golf Club in North Oaks, Minn.
Maturi placed head coach David Geatz and assistant coach Adam Cohen on paid leaves of absence just before the NCAA started investigating. The two have been unable to participate in any coaching activities with the team.
Geatz’s attorney, Patrick Burns, was unable to reach Geatz on Sunday and would not comment on the investigation.
Sophomores Andres Osorio and D.J. Geatz, David Geatz’s son, were suspended from the team in November for their involvement in the alleged infractions.
Both returned to play before Osorio was suspended again last week.
Maturi said he was not fully aware of the reasons for Osorio’s suspension.
If the NCAA declares a major violation occurred, the University’s athletics department could be subject to harsher penalties, because the University is on probation because of major violations in the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
The current probation period is set to expire Oct. 22, 2006.
The University is among six schools with seven major NCAA rules infractions. If the men’s tennis investigation results in another major infraction, the University will have eight, tying it with Texas’ Southern Methodist University for the most infractions in the NCAA.
