Stanford commits NCAA violations in football, softball

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) Stanford's football and softball teams were found guilty of NCAA violations, including more than $3,000 in impermissible benefits to a football player and excessive practice time by the softball team.

Athletic director Bernard Muir said Thursday these are the first ''major'' violations committed by the school. The NCAA did not find a lack of institutional control.

''The university will continue to be diligent about educating student-athletes and supporters, monitoring its programs and, when a potential violation is discovered, vigorously reviewing the matter and self-reporting to the NCAA any findings,'' Muir said in a statement . ''Stanford will continue to work toward a tradition of excellence and hold itself to the highest standards of conduct and compliance.''

Stanford self-reported these violations in 2014 and took corrective actions that included ending the summer offseason housing program that led to the football violation. Softball coach John Rittman was asked to resign and his assistants were not brought back after those violations were discovered. The school also imposed limits on practice time.

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The NCAA accepted those punishments , fined Stanford $5,000, issued a public reprimand and gave a one-year show-cause penalty against Rittman that place restrictions on his ability to be hired by another school.

The football violation stemmed from a program that allowed athletes live with community homeowners over the summer to allow them to train, take classes or have internships in the area.

Receiver Devon Cajuste received benefits from his landlord in 2014 including about $400 in meals and movie tickets with the family and a loan of about $3,000 for a bicycle. Cajuste repaid the loan, donated money to charity and served a one-game suspension.

''I unknowingly accepted impermissible benefits from my summer landlord,'' Cajuste said in a statement. ''I look forward to moving on from this incident and to supporting my alma mater for many years to come.''

In softball, the school found that the program held excessive practices that violated the 20-hour per week participation rules.

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