The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- May 10, 1999

Reprimand issued to men's soccer participant

The NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committee has reprimanded Rusty Pierce, a soccer student-athlete from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, for inappropriate comments made during the second round of the 1998 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.

Specifically, Pierce used profanity toward an official after being carded. The committee has issued a public reprimand of Pierce and has decided to withhold per diem and transportation payment to North Carolina-Greensboro for the student-athlete's participation.

"The committee was disappointed in Mr. Pierce's behavior and strongly believes that the championship should not be tarnished by such acts," said Jonathan B. LeCrone, committee chair and the commissioner of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. "These types of actions only serve to discredit the individual, the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship."