The NCAA placed the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on probation for one year on Wednesday, saying the Division III school failed to monitor the scholarship process and allowed a former head football coach to be involved in arranging financial aid packages.
School spokesman Blake Fry said the violations were unintentional and the result of a misunderstanding of NCAA policies.
A Division III infractions committee concluded athletic ability was improperly used as a criteria for financial aid between the 2007-08 through 2011-12 academic years. It allowed five former or current athletes to receive a total of $4,090 in impermissible aid.