NCAA hands Oklahoma State 1-year probation for football violations

The NCAA placed Oklahoma State on probation for one year following an investigation into alleged violations committed by the football program.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions announced Friday that the university did not follow its drug testing policy and allowed the Orange Pride student group to engage in impermissible hosting activities during prospects’ official and unofficial visits.

Oklahoma State’s yearlong probation will run from Friday until April 23, 2016.

Penalties include one year of probation, $8,500 in fines, suspension of the Orange Pride program and university-imposed recruiting restrictions.

Oklahoma State will not lose any scholarships or face a postseason ban.

In 2013, Sports Illustrated published a five-part series investigating Oklahoma State’s football program. Most of the allegations contained in the articles took place beyond the NCAA’s statute of limitations.

The NCAA reviewed more than 50,000 e-mails and other documents, and conducted close to 90 interviews of current and former players, coaches, staffers and boosters.

From 2008-12, the NCAA determined the university violated the NCAA’s drug testing policy by allowing five football players to play in a total of seven games when they should have been suspended. The NCAA also found the school committed recruiting violations through the all-female Orange Pride program. Oklahoma State will not be allowed to use the Orange Pride program for four years.

As part of its self-imposed punishment which was adopted by the NCAA, the Cowboys will only host up to 30 official visits during each of the next two academic years.

Oklahoma State finished 7-6 in 2014.