For the second time in a little more than five years, the University of Florida athletic program has been accused of major rules violations by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, according to an official letter of inquiry released by the school Tuesday. University president John V. Lombardi said he does not expect the school to dispute the main points of the 10 allegations, which include a cash payment from a coach to a player and charges that the university lacked "institutional control" over its football and basketball programs. Lombardi, who became president earlier this year, acknowledged the allegations are severe enough to subject both Gator programs to the NCAA's so-called death penalty. But he said he does not expect that to happen because of the school's cooperation in the investigation and preventive measures taken in the past year. Under the death penalty, the basketball or football programs, or both, could be shut down for up to two years for repeated violations. The football team was placed on probation and incurred severe penalties after an NCAA investigation in 1984. "Coming after the 1984 (violations) and given the fact that these are major violations, then the NCAA would say this is death-penalty territory," Lombardi said. "But then they'll look at the institution's response and see that measures have been taken to correct the problems. "The death penalty is used if it's determined that a program is not salvageable. I don't think that's the case here. This program has already begun to rebuild. The death penalty wouldn't win anything for anybody." Even if Florida avoids the death penalty, it would be subject to severe penalties that could include probation, limited television and post-season appearances, reductions of scholarships and return of past post-season revenues. Florida, which has conducted an investigation jointly with NCAA officials for more than a year, has until July 20 to respond to the charges. The matter will probably go before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in August and Florida will likely learn its fate in September, Lombardi said. Most of the allegations had already surfaced in the past seven months during an upheaval of the athletic program that saw the forced resignations of football coach Galen Hall and basketball coach Norm Sloan. One accusation that had not surfaced previously concerns former assistant football coach Larry Kirksey acting as a go-between for a $100 loan given to a player from a booster. The loan supposedly took place in 1986 so the player could purchase an airline ticket to go home for Christmas. The player later repaid the loan, according to the NCAA letter. Kirksey left Florida for the University of Pittsburgh and is now coaching at Alabama. He could not be reached for comment. Orlando businessman Earl "Duke" Crittenden, who is currently president of Gator Boosters Inc., was identified as the booster in that case. A representative in Crittenden's office said he was out of town Tuesday. The Palm Beach Post reported in today's editions that former running back Octavius Gould was the player in question. Gould transferred to Minnesota. "There has never before been an active member of a booster organization or its administration who's been involved (in this investigation)," said J. Leonard Levy, a prominent UF booster from Tampa. "We're disappointed to find out there were any other allegations against the football program." Other allegations included: A former basketball player (identified previously as Vernon Maxwell) signing contracts and accepting money from sports agents while still playing at Florida. Maxwell also played with the team during the NCAA post-season tournament in 1987 and 1988 which, according to NCAA rules, could force the university to forfeit close to $1-million in tournament revenues. Sloan purchasing an airline ticket so an athlete (also identified earlier as Maxwell) could fly to Boston for an NBA summer camp. Sloan allowing the mother of a recruit (previously identified as Reed Crafton) to use the return portion of an airline ticket intended for the player's recruiting visit. Hall giving money and supplying a ride to an athlete (identified previously as Jarvis Williams) so the former football player could make a child-support payment. Hall giving $22,000 directly to assistant coaches Lynn Amadee and Zaven Yaralian as supplemental pay. The NCAA has requested proof of the source of those funds. Hall has said previously that the money came out of his pocket. "Taken one at a time, these violations seem minor-league," Lombardi said. "Taken together they indicate that the coaching staff may not have been too interested in complying with all of the conditions set down by the NCAA. That's what lends the sense of real concern." That is also the basis for the final four NCAA allegations that deal with ethical charges directed at Sloan and Hall, and two charges the university lacked institutional control and compliance. In similar but separate statements, the NCAA has alleged that Sloan and Hall "acted contrary to the principles of ethical conduct." Both coaches have admitted to at least some of the violations, but said they were unaware they were breaking rules at the time. Hall has remained in Gainesville since his forced resignation and said recently he is awaiting NCAA findings before making future plans. Sloan, who is currently writing a book, has been critical of the school's investigation and recent actions. He said the university was determined to find violations after spending more than $400,000 on the investigation. "I don't feel sorry for the school, or at least the representatives, because the school didn't stand up with togetherness and support," Sloan said Tuesday night from North Carolina. "I feel sorry for UF and the Gators, but not for (chancellor Charles) Reed, (athletic director Bill) Arnsparger and the others." The final allegation in the NCAA's letter of inquiry addressed the question of the university's control over the athletic department. The letter specifically singled out former UF president Marshall Criser and former interim president Robert Bryan to ask why they signed compliance letters when the athletic department was not complying with rules. The football program underwent another probe in 1984 that led to the resignation of coach Charley Pell. Hall was then named head coach. The NCAA charged Florida with 107 rules violations, including allegations of slush funds, spying on opponents' practices and giving money to players. "I think what happens is that an institution may not get the message the first time," Lombardi said. Lombardi said the university has taken appropriate actions this time and he said the NCAA will take that into consideration. Lombardi credited Arnsparger, the school's athletic director since 1987, with finding and correcting problems in the sports programs. "As President Lombardi has stated, we plan to continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA as we have done throughout this process," Arnsparger said in a statement. "We want very much to wrap this process up as soon as possible. It is important to realize that the University considers this situation serious in nature because it involves both football and basketball, it involves a repeat offender (football), and it involves questions about institutional control and compliance." Sports columnist Hubert Mizell and staff writers Rick Stroud and Gary Shelton contributed to this report. NCAA charges against UF 1 That on or about Nov. 26, 1986, a basketball player received $100 from Professional Athletes' Financial Advisors Inc. (PAFA); that on Dec. 22, 1986, that athlete signed an athletics representation contract with PAFA and received a $100 loan; that from Nov. 26, 1986 to March 20, 1988 that athlete received loans from PAFA totaling approximatel $30,000; that on or about March 28, 1988 that athlete signed a second contract with PAFA and that in 1987 and 1988 played in the Division I NCAA basketball tournament even though he knew he was ineligible after signing a contract with an agent and accepting money. 2 That in June 1987, head basketball coach Norm Sloan arranged for a basketball player to receive a round-trip airline ticket from Gainesville to an undisclosed location to be employed as a counselor in a summer basketball camp; and that in September 1987, under Sloan's direction, the University Athletics Association paid the cost ($241.49) of that ticket. 3 That in July 1985, Sloan allowed the mother of a prospective student-athlete, who accompanied the athlete on his official paid visit to the university, to use the return portion of the athlete's airline ticket after the prospect stayed at UF to enroll in summer school. 4 That on Jan. 8, 1987, head football coach Galen Hall provided an envelope containing cash to a graduate assistant who was then instructed to drive a football player to the sheriff's department in the athlete's hometown, where the money was used to satisfy his delinquent child-support debt. 5 That during the fall of 1986, assistant football coach Larry Kirkse provided a loan of approximately $100 to a football player for the balance of an airline ticket used to travel home for Christmas. Also that Earl "Duke" Crittenden, a representative of the institution's athletics interests, provided this cash to Kirksey, and that after the athlete returned from Christmas, he returned the money to Kirksey, who in turn returned the money to Crittenden. 6 That on one occasion each during the 1985-86 and 1987-88 academic years, and three occasions during the 1988-89 academic year, Hall provided salary supplements to two assistant football coaches. Specifically, Hall provided bonuses of $1,000 ('86) and $3,000 ('88) to assistant football coach Zaven Yaralian; and provided bonuses of $6,000 on three occasions during 1988-89 to assistant football coach Lynn Amadee. 7-8 That Sloan and Hall acted "contrary to the principles o ethical conduct" and demonstrated a "knowing and willful effort ... to operate the institutions (basketball and football programs) contrary to NCAA legislation." 9 That the university's Certification of Compliance forms signed by coaches Sloan, Hall and Kirksey from the 1985-86 academic yea through the 1989-90 academic year were erroneous because of the alleged violations. 10 That the scope and nature of the allegations in the official inquiry demonstrate a "lack of appropriate institutional control" over its football and basketball programs.