Fresno State president John Welty was optimistic Saturday there would not be additional severe sanctions imposed on the men's basketball team after a hearing before the NCAA Infractions Committee.

"My view is that the actions we've already taken demonstrate we've held ourselves accountable," Welty said after the six-hour, closed-door meeting. "I don't anticipate any further serious sanctions based on what I know today."

The hearing dealt with allegations of academic fraud against the men's basketball program that occurred in 2000. The university already imposed its own penalties, including a two-year probation; the reduction of three scholarships between 2004 and 2006; and a postseason ban in 2003. The infractions committee will determine whether additional penalties are warranted and rule in several weeks.

Among the key points to emerge Saturday that might influence the infractions committee's eventual ruling were:

The university, Welty said, did not take a position in its formal response to the NCAA's inquiry on whether Katie Felten, the school's former academic adviser, was involved in the fraud. The NCAA had alleged in a letter to Fresno State that she arranged for course work to be done for players and paid former team statistician Stephen Mintz to complete the work. The infractions committee ultimately will decide. Fresno State had said Felten was involved in the fraud, according to a May 22 letter Welty wrote to Mintz.

Welty said the university also stated in its formal response that Mintz was not a representative of the university's athletic interests. If the infractions committee determines Mintz was a representative, it could yield more severe penalties. Welty had called Mintz a representative in the May 22 letter to Mintz.

Welty said after the hearing that the university disassociated five individuals from the program, which means the university will not accept their financial support for athletic programs. Mintz has been disassociated; Welty declined to name the others.

Welty said he does not anticipate imposing any additional sanctions before the NCAA ruling.

Men's basketball coach Ray Lopes termed Saturday's hearing "fair" and said it provides closure on a three-year Fresno State-NCAA joint investigation.

Former assistant coach Danny Tarkanian, who represented himself and his father, former coach Jerry Tarkanian, said he attempted to exonerate Felten and discredit Mintz.

Tarkanian said after the hearing that Mintz, author of 17 pieces of course work for three former players, "got caught in a lot of lies." The university and the NCAA have affirmed that Mintz did course work for players, according to documents obtained by The Bee. Mintz has also admitted to doing the course work.

Danny Tarkanian said he argued against some academic fraud violations, even though the university already has admitted to them. Tarkanian would not concede that academic fraud took place. "There is evidence both ways," he said after the hearing.

Asked if his argument was more difficult to make because the university already had admitted to violations of academic fraud, Tarkanian said: "I don't know if the infractions committee has ever ruled against a university that has admitted to a violation. I think the university clarified its position today that it does not have a position on whether Katie Felten was involved in it or not. And they did not feel anyone else in the basketball program was involved."

Danny Tarkanian was asked afterward who bears the responsibility if Felten was not involved. He said the responsibility is Mintz's.

Tarkanian said he soon will disclose to the public documents that support his claims but didn't say when.

Jerry Tarkanian left with 11/2 hours remaining in the hearing so he could make a flight. Tarkanian, reached on his cell phone, declined to discuss the hearing.

Welty, asked after the hearing what responsibility Jerry Tarkanian bears for the violations, said: "You'll have to talk to Coach Tarkanian about that."

When pressed on the issue, Welty added, "I think everyone has some responsibility in the matter. Ultimately, I accept that responsibility and also accept that responsibility to correct [problems]."

Jerry Tarkanian, who was forced to retire in 2002, is paid $120,000 per year from Fresno State as a fund-raising consultant for the Save Mart Center.

Others who attended the hearing on Fresno State's behalf were compliance officer Jamie Mullin; athletic director Scott Johnson; faculty athletic representative Pete Simis; Lopes; and attorneys Rick Evrard and Mike Glazier from the firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King.

Fresno State initially appeared before the infractions committee in December to discuss violations that included a lack of institutional control, use of ineligible players and providing extra benefits to players that involved cash payments and meals.

An infractions hearing offers both the university and enforcement staff the opportunity to review the allegations and answer questions in the presence of the infractions committee.

On Friday night, chains and a thick lock wrapped the metal door handles of the ballroom in the Fairmont Hotel, where the hearing would take place.

At 7:45 a.m. Saturday, attendants wheeled carts carrying boxes of documents into the room. Thirty minutes later, Danny Tarkanian entered, carrying a bulging bag of documents, smiling while making small talk with a reporter.

Ten minutes later, Mullin, Johnson and Jerry Tarkanian entered. None smiled.

Seconds later, Welty and Lopes walked side by side into the room; only Lopes offered a slight smile.