As the LSU football program digested its news that LSU junior running back Stevan Ridley will be ineligible for the Cotton Bowl barring a successful appeal, it did receive some slightly refreshing news.
The University learned Tuesday night that no new violations were found by the NCAA in response to the school’s self-imposed violations that came Dec. 16.
The NCAA sent a nine-page Notice of Allegations that alleged no further wrongdoing in LSU’s internal investigation of former wide receivers coach D.J. McCarthy and former defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.
“This reaffirms our belief that LSU performed a thorough and deliberate internal review of the violations that were discovered in this case and I am confident that we have taken corrective measures to avoid future violations,” said LSU Chancellor Michael Martin in a statement.
LSU began the internal investigation last September, which surrounded the recruitment of Hicks. LSU sent a report in March to the NCAA and Southeastern Conference regarding Hicks’ recruitment, which said potential violations occurred between Hicks and the coach who recruited him, McCarthy.
LSU then announced last week that it would self-impose restrictions based on its findings. The restrictions included: a reduction in official visits for the 2010-11 academic year, a loss of two scholarships for 2011-12 class, a loss of two overall scholarships for the 2011-12 academic year and a reduction of two national letters of intent LSU can offer before the February 2011 signing date.
According to the notice received by LSU on Tuesday night, seven basic allegations were outlined. The first four involve alleged violations in the recruitment of Hicks by McCarthy in four areas:  (1) transportation; (2) free lodging with a student worker during an unofficial visit; (3) discounted lodging in a former student-athlete’s apartment; and (4) impermissible telephone calls.  The fifth allegation involves impermissible phone calls made by non-coaching football staff members.
The sixth and seventh allegations concern alleged unethical conduct by Hicks and McCarthy. McCarthy resigned from LSU in December 2009. Hicks never played a down for LSU and eventually transferred before the spring 2010 semester. The student-athlete, who never participated in an athletic contest for LSU, left the university prior to the 2010 spring semester.
“I believe the diligence of our internal investigation and the corrective measures we have taken are indicative of our commitment to compliance with NCAA rules and regulations,” said Joe Alleva, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics.  “This sends a clear signal that LSU intends to play by the rules.”
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