February 26, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas hopes to have a hearing with the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee soon regarding the Razorbacks' appeal of sanctions imposed against its track and field program.

The Razorbacks filed their appeal to the NCAA in January and received the Infractions Committee's response in early February. Arkansas filed its reply with the NCAA on Friday, arguing again that the school should not have to vacate two national titles.

Scott Varady, the university's associate general counsel, said the NCAA prohibits the discussion and publication of the Infraction Committee's report. That has slowed the university's public release of its reply, which the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette requested through the state Freedom of Information Act.

Varady said the university had to check with the NCAA and edit the report to remove any mention of the athlete involved - known to be former star sprinter Tyson Gay - as well as any mention of the Infraction Committee's arguments.