WICHITA — A former Kansas University athletics official convicted in a ticket scandal has lost an effort to have his probation cut short.

Brandon Simmons was director of sales and marketing in the athletics department. He pleaded guilty to failing to tell authorities about the $2 million scalping scandal and was sentenced in March 2011 to two years’ probation.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Wednesday rejected Simmons’ request to terminate the probation early.

Simmons has paid nearly $26,000 so far of a $157,000 restitution order. Belot followed the probation office’s recommendation to continue the probation to ensure Simmons continues to make payments.

Simmons was among seven Kansas athletics officials convicted in the unlawful sale of Jayhawk football and basketball season tickets to ticket brokers and others.