WINCHESTER — The Umpqua Community College men’s basketball team will be without head coach Daniel Leeworthy for Friday’s conference playoff game and for the beginning of next season after sanctions handed down this week by the Northwest Athletic Conference.

Umpqua Community College revealed Friday that the men’s basketball program and the college’s athletic department was under investigation by the NWAC for numerous violations of the conference’s bylaws regarding athletic grant-in-aid and extra benefits. 

The months-long investigation and a resulting appeal by UCC has led to coach Leeworthy receiving a 10-game suspension, starting with Friday’s first round playoff game, and two years of probation through Feb. 2025. The UCC men’s basketball program has also received a two-year postseason ban that would begin next school year. 

In documents provided by UCC, the investigation centered on housing and tuition benefits for men’s basketball players. Umpqua Community College president Dr. Rachel Pokrandt says the school is seeking legal recourse on the matter.

Sanne Godfrey of The News-Review goes more in-depth on the infractions claimed by the NWAC and impending sanctions on UCC.