NCAA News
You may recall reading about the NCAA Committee on Infractions actions against the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama last February. Both schools appealed Committee’s penalties last week and all the penalties that were levied against the two schools were upheld. All avenues of appeal have been exhausted, and the two schools settle into a greatly altered landscapes for their football teams over the next few years because of major NCAA rules violations.
For Alabama, there were boosters who were not willing to follow basic, simple NCAA rules. As a result, ‘Bama will lose a total of 21 scholarships for first-year players over the next three years, and the football team will not participate in post-season play in 2002 and 2003. Most of Alabama’s violations involved three boosters that assisted with recruiting. The boosters provided thousands of dollars to recruits in exchange for signing with the Tide. It was proven that these boosters contacted prospects and high school coaches to recruit for Alabama. Their actions provided a significant recruiting advantage for the Tide and the school has incurred serious penalties to offset the advantages gained.
Kentucky loses a total of 19 for first-year football players over the next three years beginning with the 2002-2003 season. The Cats will end the 2002 season at the end of the regular season with no option for post season play. Kentucky’s problems resulted mostly from actions of an assistant coach who disregarded NCAA rules about official visits, extra benefits and academic fraud. The assistant coach was surrounded by Kentucky personnel who later admitted they thought he operated outside NCAA rules, but no one stopped him. The university was charged with a lack of institutional control.
Think through the consequences of major NCAA rules violations for the athletes. There are close to 115 young men respectively playing football at Alabama and Kentucky this year – and few, received benefits. At press time, Kentucky was 3-0, the best start in years – maybe they could have qualified for a bowl game this year – but those young men won’t have the chance – because one coach was allowed to act unethically. Alabama is having similar success this year and their team spends two years away from a bowl.
Could you imagine looking into the face of Jackie Robinson – fifth year senior from South Carolina – or into the face of Willie Simmon – who has waited behind Woody for three years at a chance to play – and tell them that they can’t play in a bowl? They get penalized because NCAA rules were ignored? If ever you need motivation to commit yourself to rules compliance – that might just do it! Higher education has at the center of its mission the student, and nothing alters a student-athlete’s experience like a major rules violation.
Clemson’s donors strengthen the our commitment to NCAA rules compliance by doing the simple things: read NCAA rules information that is provided with season ticket mailings; visit the compliance website and review the section for donors; read weekly NCAA rules information in the Orange and White. When donors ask before they interact with prospects or student-athletes, Clemson wins!
Take time this week to send a NCAA or ACC question to compliance services. We want to make sure you have the best information!
Email your questions to COMPLIANCE-L@CLEMSON.EDU or call 864-656-1580. Visit our website at http://clemsontigers.fansonly.com/compliance.
April 17, 2024
