The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions (“COI” or “Committee”) is an independent administrative body of the NCAA comprised of individuals from the Division I membership and the public. COI accepted the Negotiated Resolution of the case involving the University of Maryland (“Maryland”).

The Committee concluded Maryland committed the following violations of NCAA rules:

Violations of NCAA Division I Manual Bylaws 11.7.1.1-(a), 11.7.3 and 11.7.6 (2016-17 and 2017-18)(Level II)

The institution, the former director of player personnel and the enforcement staff agree that between July 2017 and February 2018, the former director of player personnel engaged in impermissible coaching activities as a noncoaching staff member, causing the men’s basketball program to exceed the permissible number of countable coaches. Specifically, between July and October 2017, the former director of player personnel met individually with the student-athlete on approximately 10 occasions for 30 to 35 minutes each and coached him on his shooting form. Additionally, between November 2017 and February 2018, the former director of player personnel delivered oral scouting reports to the entire men’s basketball team on approximately eight occasions at the direction of the head men’s basketball coach.

Violations of NCAA Division I Manual Bylaws 13.4.1.3 (2014-15 and 2015-16), 13.7.3 (2014-15 through 2017-18), 13.4.1.4 (2016-17) and 13.4.1.5 (2017-18) (Level II)

The institution and enforcement staff agree that between May 2015 and April 2018, the women’s basketball coaching staff utilized impermissible recruiting aids in the program’s recruiting efforts. Specifically:

1. Between May 2015 and April 2018, an assistant women’s basketball coach created and attached personalized covers to the institution’s women’s basketball recruiting booklets for prospects taking unofficial visits to the institution. The head women’s basketball coach reviewed the booklets with prospects on approximately 17 occasions. NCAA Bylaws 13.4.1.3 (2014-15 and 2015-16), 13.7.3 (2014-15 through 2017-18), 13.4.1.4 (2016-17) and 13.4.1.5 (2017-18).
2. Between May 2015 and April 2018, an assistant women’s basketball coach sent approximately 150 personalized puzzles printed on puzzle board to women’s basketball prospective student-athletes. NCAA Bylaws 13.4.1.3 (2014-15 and 2015-16), 13.4.1.4 (2016-17) and 13.4.1.5 (2017-18).

Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in accordance with NCAA Bylaws 19.9.3 and 19.9.4.

Aggravating Factors for the Institution

19.9.3-(b): A history of Level I, Level II or major violations.

19.9.3-(g): Multiple Level II violations.

Mitigating Factors for the Institution

19.9.4-(b): Prompt acknowledgement of the violation(s), acceptance of responsibility and imposition of meaningful corrective measures and/or penalties.

19.9.4-(d): An established history of self-reporting Level III or secondary violations.

Aggravating Factors for the Former Director of Player Personnel

19.9.3-(m): Intentional, willful or blatant disregard for the NCAA constitution and bylaws.

Mitigating Factors for the Former Director of Player Personnel

19.9.4-(h): The absence of prior conclusions of Level I, Level II or major violations.

 The Committee penalized Maryland as follows:

1. Public reprimand and censure.
2. Probation: One year of probation, from June 18, 2019, through June 17, 2020.
3. Financial Penalty: Maryland shall pay to the NCAA a fine of $5,000.
4. The women’s basketball program shall eliminate one women’s basketball scholarship for the years 2018-19 through 2020-21 years, reducing the program’s scholarship limit from 15 to 14.
5. The women’s basketball program shall reduce the number of official visits permitted by NCAA rules by three visits per year for the years 2018-19 through 2020-21.
6. Based on the facts and violations in this case, the former director of player personnel shall serve a two-year show-cause order from June 18, 2019, through June 17, 2021, during which time he shall attend two NCAA Regional Rules Seminars.
7. A letter of reprimand was issued to the head men’s basketball coach.
8. The men’s basketball program shall reduce countable athletically related activities for the 2018-19 academic year. Specifically, the men’s basketball program shall reduce athletically related activities by one hour per week out-of-season (reducing the limit from eight to seven hours total and reducing the hours for skill instruction from four to three) and two hours per week in-season (reducing the limit from 20 to 18 hours).
9. During the 2018-19 year, a representative from the compliance office shall (1) attend men’s basketball practice at least once per week, (2) accompany the men’s basketball team for travel to at least four regular-season away games and all post-season games, (3) attend at least nine men’s basketball film review sessions and (4) provide additional education.
10. The women’s basketball program shall be prohibited from distributing recruiting materials for one week each month during the 2018-19 year.
11. The former director of player personnel shall be suspended from 15 practices during the 2018-19 playing and practice season.
12. The former director of player personnel shall be suspended for the first six games of the 2018-19 season.

For any questions, feel free to contact Christian Dennie at cdennie@bgsfirm.com .