Irish president rips NCAA for ruling

Notre Dame’s president ripped the NCAA’s decision to deny the school’s appeal to restore 21 vacated football victories from an academic misconduct violation, saying the association “perverted” the notion that universities determine how they police academics. The NCAA denied Notre Dame’s appeal Tuesday, wiping off the books all 12 wins from the Fighting Irish’s 2012 season under coach Brian Kelly.

In a letter to Notre Dame alumni, University President Fr. John Jenkins said the penalty was unprecedented considering who was involved in the misconduct, and the school was being punished for rigorously enforcing its honor code. He called the ruling unfair, referencing the recent North Carolina case in which the NCAA did not punish the school after an investigation of athletes taking irregular courses.

■ The NCAA is considering allowing athletes who are doing well in the classroom the ability to transfer with immediate eligibility and permitting incoming freshmen to get out of a national letter of intent if there is a head coaching change.