NCAA clears Neuheisel, extends Washington's probation

"Rick and I are pleased the NCAA found he was not in violation of NCAA rules," said Neuheisel's lawyer, Bob Sulkin. "It's what we've said all along. ... He is happy and he feels vindicated, because he has been."

Washington escaped serious penalties that may have resulted if the NCAA cited the school for lack of institutional control. The NCAA did, however, find repeated instances in which the school failed to monitor the football program.

In addition to Neuheisel's gambling violations, the NCAA cited pool betting by other members of the athletic department, including former compliance officer Dana Richardson, who wrote the memos that cleared Neuheisel.

The NCAA also cited the football program for undercharging recruits and their parents for rides in a 65-foot yacht and other private boats between 2000 and 2003, and for allowing impermissible contact between a football booster and recruits.

Washington had already imposed several punishments on itself following an internal investigation of the football program - including limiting the number of expense-paid visits recruits can make to the campus in the 2004-05 academic year from 56 to 48. The university also said it would not use watercraft to recruit student-athletes in '04-05.

The NCAA extended each of those penalties through 2005-06.

"We are eager to move forward, continue to implement our corrective actions and build a program that fully reflects the university's values," Washington president Mark Emmert said. "We will do things the right way. We will be exemplary in everything we do."

Beset with other problems, including a softball team physician accused of improperly dispensing medication and the resignation of the softball coach, Hedges retired early in January.

Richardson left for another job. Robert H. Aronson, a law professor and longtime faculty representative to the athletic department, resigned after handling much of the school's defense in the NCAA case.

The Huskies are 1-5 this season under coach Keith Gilbertson, who was promoted from offensive coordinator to replace Neuheisel. Washington plays at top-ranked Southern California on Saturday.