In the fall of 2000, a number of swim team violations were independently investigated and voluntarily submitted by the Nebraska Athletic Department to the NCAA.  As student athletes were returning to school, but before their contracts had been issued, Coach Bentz and his assistant coaches Keith Moore, Kelly Nordell, and Rick Paine were personally informed by Athletic Director Bill Byrne that NCAA violations had been filed by the Athletic Department.  They were to immediately vacate their offices with all personal and professional possessions, they were to have no contact with any of their swimmers, and told to quit or be fired and lose all their retirement savings and other benefits.  The team was left in charge of Paul Nelson, the youngest of the assistant coaches, who finished the 2000-2001 season.

Weeks later the accused coaches were notified in writing by the NCAA that over 50 swim team violations had been filed voluntarily by the Nebraska Athletic Department after the University's independent investiagtion, along with AD investiagtion violoations in the wrestling program.  The swim coaches were given an opportunity to respond to the NCAA violations to that organization in writing.  Over the next year no person from the University of Nebraska contacted the accused coaches.  Of all of the violations only six were found to have merit by the NCAAA.  No swim coaches were sanctioned by the NCAA as having intentionally violated NCAA rules.  However, the Athletic Department was put on two year probation for the wrestling violtions and for lack of appropriate over-site of swim team organizationl and financial procedures.  Subsequently financial reorganization of the NU Atheltic Department ensued.

An Interview with former Head Coach Cal Bentz regarding the NCAA Violations

Daily Nebraskan Articles on the Swim Team's cancellation:

Article 1

Article 2