INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has reprimanded, fined and suspended the Stanford University mascot for multiple violations of tournament policies during the 2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship in Denver.

The committee determined that the Stanford mascot was in violation of multiple tournament policies regarding bands, cheerleaders and mascots. It was noted that the Stanford mascot has been in violation of NCAA tournament policies in previous years.

Based upon that finding and pursuant to tournament policy, the committee voted to issue a public reprimand to Stanford, assess a fine and suspend the mascot from participation in all rounds of the next NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship in which the Stanford women’s basketball program participates.

"The committee was very disappointed in this disturbing pattern of behavior and strongly believes that these acts compromised the integrity of the championship," said Joni Comstock, chair of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and director of athletics at American University. "This type of action only serves to discredit the individual, Stanford University and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship."