Big Ten Suspend Iowa’s McCaffery for One Game

The Big Ten Conference office today announced a one-game suspension and public reprimand of University of Iowa men’s basketball head coach Fran McCaffery for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy during the second half of Iowa’s game at Wisconsin on Jan. 5. In addition, the conference announced that the institution has been fined $10,000 as a result of the violation. The fine and suspension cannot be appealed.

The Big Ten determined that McCaffery’s actions toward the officials were in violation of Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, which states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.” McCaffery will serve his one-game suspension on Jan. 9 against Northwestern.

On Monday, the University of Iowa released this Statement from UI Men’s Basketball Coach Fran McCaffery

 “I want to apologize for my emotional reaction during Sunday night’s game at Wisconsin. I have great passion and respect for the game of basketball and everyone involved in it. I regret that my actions put our program and the University of Iowa in a negative light. I look forward to working with my staff and my players to move forward and compete for a championship.”

“I want to again apologize to the University of Iowa, my players, staff and the tremendous Hawkeye fans for my emotional reaction during Sunday’s game,” said McCaffery. “I regret my actions and accept the Big Ten Conference’s decision. I am ready to move on.”

Also on  Monday, U of I released this Statement from UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta

 “I’ve met with Coach McCaffery regarding last night’s ejection from the game in Madison. He knows he crossed a line of acceptable behavior and accepts responsibility for his actions. All staff at the University of Iowa fully support the Big Ten Conference’s sportsmanship policy’s fundamental elements, including civility and respect toward opponents and game officials. Fran has my full support moving forward.”

“Fran expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility from the first minute we talked on Monday morning, said UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta.  “We accept the ruling of the Big Ten Conference and as a result Fran will not coach his team Thursday evening.  We all look forward to putting the incident behind us.  Our focus now is on Thursday night against Northwestern and the remainder of the conference season.  Fran continues to have my full support moving forward.”

In McCaffery’s absence, assistant coach Kirk Speraw will make the head coaching decisions during Thursday night’s contest.