It will be another year before this ball has a shot to see the postseason. (Shotgun Spratling/Neon Tommy)

“We are persuaded that there is sufficient evidence to support the Committee on Infractions’ conclusions regarding these issues, and find no basis on which to reverse the pertinent findings,” the NCAA appeals committee said.

The decision to uphold the current sanctions means USC will miss bowl and postseason eligibility for the second year in a row, and will lose 10 initial and total player scholarships each year for three years, beginning in 2012.

USC issued this official response:

"We respectfully, but vehemently, disagree with the findings of the NCAA’s Infractions Appeals Committee.  Our position was that the Committee on Infractions abused its discretion and imposed penalties last June that were excessive and inconsistent with established case precedent."

The NCAA verdict prompted a flurry of equally disappointed reactions from university administrators, and those affiliated with USC’s football team.

"I was part of the USC team that met with the Infractions Appeals Committee on January 22nd. Although I am gravely disappointed, I can assure our student-athletes, coaches and fans that we made every possible argument -- forcefully and vigorously -- for modifying unjust penalties,” athletic director Pat Haden said, in an official statement released by the USC.

Watch exclusive video of Pat Haden's comments:

University president Max Nikias echoed Haden’s sentiments, but went a step further by expressing concern that the NCAA has now set a precedent of upholding unfair treatment of athletic programs.

"We are very concerned that the historical value of case precedent and the right to fair process in the NCAA adjudicative process, both in terms of the ability of an institution to defend itself or prove an abuse of discretion on appeal, have been substantially eroded…Notwithstanding this troubling concern and our grave disappointment, we will look forward to the future," he said.

Head Coach Lane Kiffin said he and his team have no choice but to look to the future.

"We have been operating with these sanctions for a year now and have felt their effects on multiple fronts.  We will continue to execute the plan we have in place to make the most of the hand with which we have been dealt.  I am proud of how our players have performed on the field and represented us off the field under very difficult and trying circumstances.  I look forward to them continuing to do so as we move on to make the best of our situation,” he said in an official statement.

Starting quarterback Matt Barkley quickly took to Twitter to express his take on what the team will face going forward.

“Our team will embrace the challenge as one and be stronger for it. Times of adversity are special opportunities to Fight On!” he tweeted.

Watch Matt Barkley's response:

A recurring theme among the statements issued by USC supporters was the assertion that the university and football team are committed to working by the rule book, and engaging only in ethical practices.

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott was adamant about "clean-winning" in his statement on the matter.

"I want to state emphatically that our Conference is committed to adhering to the highest ethical standards and compliance with NCAA rules. USC’s new leadership has certainly demonstrated this with its handling of the sanctions and by establishing a new culture of compliance for its athletic programs with its win-by-the-rules approach," he said.

Scott went on to say that he and the Pac-10 were disappointed by the verdict, particularly since none of the athletes who will feel the effect of the sanctions were attending USC during the time of the infractions.

Read USC’s official appeal to the NCAA here.

Find a full list and explanation of the sanctions to USC’s athletic programs here.

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Video courtesy of Neon Tommy staff reporter Scott Enyeart. Follow Scott on Twitter.

Reach Kate by email, or follow her on Twitter.