When its a slow news day, you run with what you receive, and today we received word that Georgia Tech incorrectly certified 17 student-athletes in four sports, including women's swimming, to compete in the last five years.

Tech has self-reported the violations, which it believes to be secondary, to the NCAA and instituted self-imposed sanctions including the voluntary forfeiture of four football scholarships, 3.9 men's track and women's track scholarships over the next two years. No penalties were recommended for women's swimming because the athlete involved received no scholarship money.

The violations involved the misapplication of NCAA rules regarding progress toward degree requirements, Tech athletics director Dave Braine said.

Tech uncovered and reported the violations following an audit of transcripts and academic records of 864 student-athletes in 2000-04. The review has been on-going.

Braine said the school has made changes, including "tightening up the process" to prevent future problems. The school has also retrained those involved with the certification process.

Tech also proposed to pay a fine of $5,000 and issue letters of reprimand to individuals involved who are still employed by the school.

The NCAA can accept the school's recommendations or impose stiffer or less severe penalties. It could be months before the organization makes a decision.