Central Florida wins bowl ban appeal

In a release the NCAA wrote that its Committee on Infractions "determined the football postseason ban is excessive such that it constitutes an abuse of discretion."

"We're certainly happy with this outcome," UCF athletics director Todd Stansbury said in a release. "We appealed the postseason ban for football because we felt it went beyond what was supported by the facts, and we're pleased the Infractions Appeals Committee agreed with us."

In the same release UCF president John Hitt said he was pleased with the decision and applauded the NCAA "for handling our appeal with care, competency and professionalism."

Last year, the NCAA imposed a one-year postseason ban on the football and men's basketball teams as part of widespread sanctions for major recruiting violations. The Committee on Infractions also charged the school with a lack of institutional control.

Both athletic director Keith Tribble and receivers coach David Kelly resigned as a result of the scandal.

The Committee on Infractions handed down several penalties in addition to the postseason bans -- a $50,000 fine, adding two years to UCF's previously proposed three years' probation, basketball scholarship reductions, vacated basketball victories and tighter limits on football recruiting visit days.

UCF accepted all penalties but the football postseason ban. When the school decided to appeal that specific penalty last September, it took a huge risk. Had UCF lost its appeal, it would not have been eligible for postseason play in 2013 in its new league, the American Athletic Conference, formerly the Big East.

Appealing the ruling allowed UCF to play in the postseason in 2012. The Knights made an appearance in the Conference USA title game and won the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl 38-17 over Ball State.

Now that gamble has paid off as the Knights will be eligible for a potential BCS berth in the AAC in 2013.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.