NCAA Violations under Sports Law
What are NCAA Violations?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs college sports in the United States. NCAA violations occur when member institutions, coaches, or athletes break the rules set by the NCAA. These rules cover amateurism, recruiting, financial aid, academic standards, and more.
Violations can be broadly categorized as:
Major Violations: Serious breaches that give a significant competitive advantage or undermine the integrity of the sport.
Secondary Violations: Minor infractions that don’t give a substantial competitive advantage.
Types of NCAA Violations
Recruiting Violations
Examples include improper contact with recruits, offering inducements, or impermissible benefits.
Academic Violations
Fraudulent academic eligibility, improper assistance with coursework.
Amateurism Violations
Accepting payments or gifts beyond what NCAA rules permit.
Improper Benefits
Extra benefits to athletes such as money, gifts, or services not available to regular students.
Failure to Monitor/Control
Institutions are responsible for supervising athletics programs to prevent violations.
Sports Law Perspective on NCAA Violations
In Sports Law, NCAA violations are analyzed in terms of:
Contractual and Regulatory Compliance: Member schools agree to abide by NCAA rules.
Due Process: Institutions and athletes have the right to hearings and appeals before sanctions.
Enforcement Mechanisms: NCAA uses investigations, penalties, suspensions, and postseason bans to enforce compliance.
Liability Issues: Schools may face liability for failing to control or report violations.
Key Case Laws Illustrating NCAA Violations
1. University of Southern California (USC) & Reggie Bush Case (2010)
Violation: Reggie Bush, a star football player, received impermissible benefits from agents and boosters, including cash and gifts.
Outcome: USC was found guilty of major violations, including failure to monitor.
Sanctions: USC vacated wins from 2004-2005, lost scholarships, and was banned from postseason play.
Sports Law Insight: This case illustrates institutional responsibility and NCAA’s power to impose sanctions for both athlete and institutional misconduct.
2. SMU “Death Penalty” Case (1987)
Violation: Southern Methodist University’s football program committed repeated major violations, including paying players and covering up violations.
Outcome: NCAA imposed the harshest penalty ever—the “death penalty,” shutting down the football program for the 1987 season.
Sports Law Insight: Demonstrates the NCAA’s enforcement authority and the extreme consequences for repeated violations.
3. Penn State University (2012)
While primarily a criminal case involving Jerry Sandusky, NCAA also found Penn State guilty of institutional failure to monitor.
Violation: Failure to properly address and report misconduct.
Sanctions: Scholarship reductions, postseason bans, and fines.
Sports Law Insight: Highlights how NCAA violations extend beyond gameplay issues to institutional oversight and compliance obligations.
NCAA Enforcement Process
Investigation: NCAA enforcement staff investigate alleged violations.
Notice of Allegations: Formal charges sent to the institution.
Hearing: Institution may present evidence and defense.
Committee on Infractions: Makes determination and sanctions.
Appeals: Possible appeal to the Infractions Appeals Committee.
Conclusion
NCAA violations are serious breaches that undermine fairness and integrity in college sports. Sports Law provides a framework to regulate, investigate, and enforce rules ensuring compliance and protecting the amateur status of college athletes.
Cases like USC/Reggie Bush and SMU’s “Death Penalty” show the legal and regulatory consequences of violations, emphasizing institutional accountability.
RELATED Blog
0 comments