The NCAA Committee on Infractions Has Spoken: Southern Indiana University (Division II)
The NCAA Committee on Infractions (“Committee,” “Panel,” or “COI”) recently issued its findings and found that Southern Indiana University (“SIU” or “Institution”) committed major violations of NCAA legislation. This case involved the men’s basketball program at SIU. The case consisted of one agreed-upon major violation with two subparts. First, a representative of the institution’s athletics interests engaged in impermissible recruiting contacts with a prospective student athlete. Second, the athletics representative purchased a computer for the prospect. COI considered this case through the cooperative summary disposition process in which all parties agreed to the primary facts and violation as fully set forth in the Summary Disposition Report (“SDR”). Because the Institution agreed to the violations and the proposed penalty, it has no opportunity to appeal.
The Committee found that SIU committed the following violations of NCAA legislation:
Violations of NCAA Bylaws 13.1.3.4.2 (2016-17) and 13.2.1 (2016-17)
Between May 14, 2017, and June 11, 2017, the booster initiated 19 telephone calls totaling 104 minutes and sent 401 text messages to the prospect. Because the prospect was a junior college transfer student-athlete and had yet to enroll at the institution, the booster’s communications to the prospect were impermissible. On May 21, 2017, the booster purchased a laptop computer ($1,872.00), carrying case ($53.00) and warranty plan ($199.00) for the prospect at a local electronics store. Following the purchase, the prospect performed yard work and other duties at the booster’s home to repay the booster.
The Committee assessed penalties against SIU and penalized SIU as follows: