ATLANTA (AP) -- The NCAA has denied Georgia Tech's appeal to have sanctions reduced that were announced last year.
The NCAA ruled in July ruled that Georgia Tech must pay a $100,000 fine and vacate its 2009 ACC football championship as punishment for allowing an ineligible player, receiver Demaryius Thomas, to compete.
Georgia Tech appealed to have the title restored. Friday's ruling by the NCAA's appeals committee is final.
Georgia Tech president Bud Peterson says he is disappointed with the decision. Peterson says he felt it necessary to file the appeal "in order to defend the integrity of Georgia Tech."
When it announced the probation in July, the NCAA said Georgia Tech should have declared Thomas ineligible after he accepted gifts from a former player who was working for an agent.
