UGA looking to beat NCAA deadline on response to allegations

Georgia is doing its best to get its NCAA business behind it. But it still likely will be football season before the situation is resolved.

The Bulldogs were served by the NCAA with a “notice of allegation” on April 2 that accused legendary swimming and diving coach Jack Bauerle of “severe breach of conduct” and “providing extra benefits.” Bauerle was suspended until the matter is resolved and Georgia has 90 days to respond in writing to the allegations.

That deadline would be July 2, but the Bulldogs hope to beat it.

“We’re preparing that as we speak,” UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity said this week. “We’ll certainly have that done in the appropriate amount of time. Hopefully we’ll have it done before the end of the month. Our goal is to submit it before the deadline. That way the NCAA’s 60-day clock starts earlier.”

Georgia’s response is being prepared by NCAA litigation specialist Michael Glazier of the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King of Overland Park, Kan. The NCAA has 60 days to review UGA’s response and set up a hearing date.

Bauerle could not be reached for comment. He has said before he has been instructed not to talk about the case.

The NCAA accuses Bauerle of asking a professor to provide a grade for star men’s swimmer Chase Kalisz for a class he did not attend in order to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. That is grounds for the “extra benefits” allegation. The “breach of conduct” charge stems from Bauerle’s alleged violation of the NCAA’s “head coach responsibility legislation” and his alleged failure “to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program.”