Penn State Football: Further Sanction Reductions Not Out Of The Question According To Mitchell

The NCAA has already eased up on one part of Penn State’s sanction package, and it’s possible that will happen again.

Penn State’s Athletic Integrity Monitor to the NCAA Sen. George Mitchell spoke to the Penn State Board of Trustees on Friday morning. While no promises were made, it seems likely that Mitchell will push for further reductions in the coming year.

In September, Mitchell released his first annual report to the NCAA and privately recommended that sanctions should be reversed. That led to the decision to gradually eliminate some of the scholarship reductions Penn State was facing for the next three seasons.

Penn State will return to 75 scholarships in 2014 an increase from the 65 scholarship limit that was originally imposed. A total of 85 scholarships is the NCAA limit for all schools at the Division I level. Penn State has spent most of the 2013 season with around 60 active scholarship players.

“I recommended modifying the sanctions in place,” Mitchell said, mentioning his purposed “multi-stage” approach to the NCAA, opening the door for future reductions down the road. “My recommendation was based solely on the fact that Penn State has made a good faith effort to meet their commitment.”

“At the time of my annual report next year, I will determine if I will recommend further [NCAA] relief,” Mitchell said, remarking that the recommendations would not happen prior to next September when his report is due. “I think it’s premature to speculate on the precise nature on future modifications that might be possible.”

“I am confident it will occur,” he added on his potential recommendation for future reductions.

The largest factor in Mitchell’s decision? The compliance and cooperation of Penn State’s administration and the university at large.

“In all of the reports my findings have been consistent: Penn State has cooperated fully with me and my staff and provides us unfettered access,” Mitchell said. ”Penn State has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fulfilling the requirements of the athletics integrity agreement.”

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