By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Rather than wait until the Big Ten meetings in early May, the conference informed Purdue on Thursday that it would not levy any further sanctions against the men's basketball program.

The Big Ten's Compliance and Reinstatement Subcommittee reviewed Purdue's NCAA penalties during a conference call on Wednesday and found them to be adequate.

"We expected they would do this but it's good to hear it officially," said Jim Vruggink, Purdue athletic public relations director. "Certainly we're relieved they didn't do more."

As a result of the stoppage of sanctions, Purdue retains its 1996 Big Ten Conference championship. Due to the participation of former player Luther Clay in 1996, the committee had been debating whether to strip the Boilers of their title.

After the NCAA investigated Purdue's program, Clay was ruled ineligible because — according to the NCAA — he accepted a $4,000 loan from Bank One. In his one season in West Lafayette, Clay scored only 60 points, including just 13 in 12 Big Ten games.

In January the NCAA forced Purdue to forfeit the 24 games Clay participated in during that season. The forfeiture dropped Purdue's record from 26-6 to 8-24, but Vruggink said most people were fairly confident that the championship would stay in the record books.

"(Clay) was not a significant contributor," said Vruggink. "There was not a game in which his output made the difference in the game. It would have been a real, real unfortunate stretch for anyone to think he was a big part of that championship."

Vruggink said the Big Ten had planned to divulge the information when representatives from conference schools met this May. However, after several inquiries were made regarding additional sanctions, the conference told Purdue it could release the information early.

Vruggink said Morgan Burke, Purdue's athletic director, was in support of releasing the news right away.

"We're pleased that the subcommittee ruled in our favor, allowing us to retain that championship," said Burke in a press release. "We are pleased to close the book on that entire process and put it behind us."