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Boise State University Infractions Appeal Decision Released that the history of football scholarship reduction penalties imposed by the Committee on Infractions were inconsistent with the scholarship reduction penalties imposed in this case. In response, the Infractions Appeals Committee noted that the scholarship reduction penalty precedent from prior cases should have been more The Boise State infractions case involved a sefully weighed and considered. Due to this, the ries of major violations with more than 75 prosInfractions Appeals Committee sent the penalty pects and student-athletes in five sports over back to the Committee on Infractions for reconthe course of five years. The involved sports sideration. included football, men’s and women’s cross country and track and field, and men’s and In considering the university’s appeal, the Inwomen’s tennis. Multiple recruiting violations fractions Appeals Committee reviewed the nowere found, including impermissible lodging, tice of appeal; the transcript of the university’s transportation, practice sessions, financial aid Committee on Infractions hearing; and the suband cash payments. The former head women’s missions by both the university and the Comtennis coach was cited for unethical conduct mittee on Infractions. and a failure to monitor. A former assistant track The Infractions Appeals Committee may overcoach was also cited for unethical conduct. turn a finding of a violation if it is contrary to Penalties, including those self-imposed by the the evidence, does not constitute a violation university, are a four-year show-cause order for of NCAA rules, or due to a procedural error. A the former head women’s tennis coach and a penalty by the Committee on Infractions may two-year show-cause order for the former assis- be set aside on appeal if the penalty is excessive tant track coach, a one-year postseason ban for such that it constituted an abuse of discretion by women’s tennis, recruiting restrictions, scholar- the Committee on Infractions. ship reductions, vacation of records, a $5,000 The members of the Infractions Appeals Comfine and three years of probation. mittee who heard this case were: David WilIn its appeal, the university requested the foot- liams, chair and vice chancellor and general ball spring practice penalty be reversed because counsel, Vanderbilt University; Susan Cross the restrictions do not relate directly to a prac- Lipnickey, health studies professor and the factice time violation. After review, the Infractions ulty athletics representative at Miami University (Ohio); Jack Friedenthal, professor of law Appeals Committee upheld the penalty. at George Washington University; W. Anthony Additionally, Boise State argued in its appeal The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee has upheld a Boise State University football spring practice penalty and sent the reduction in football scholarships penalty back to the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions for reconsideration.
INTERPS Telephone Calls to Guidance Counselors for Academic Information (I) Date Published: March 18, 2011 Item Ref: a Staff Interpretation: The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a telephone call to the appropriate academic authority at the prospective student-athlete’s educational institution (e.g., registrar, guidance counselor) related to admissions or academic issues is not a recruiting coordination function provided there is no solicitation of the prospective student-athlete and nothing beyond the prospective student-athlete’s academic qualifications is discussed. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 11.7.1.2 (recruiting coordination functions), 13.1.3.4.1 (institutional coaching staff members – general rule) and 13.1.3.4.1.1 (exception – prior to national letter of intent signing or other written commitment); official interpretations (10/12/1994, Item No. 9-d) and (12/15/1993, Item No. 6)] M
Jenkins, attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC; and Patti Ohlendorf, vice president for legal affairs at University of Texas at Austin. M
COMPLIANCE STAFF Nicole Green, Director of Compliance ngreen@memphis.edu
Ryan Crews, Compliance Assistant rcccrews@memphis.edu
Jon Michalik, Graduate Assistant jmchalik@memphis.edu
570 Normal Street | Memphis, TN 38125 | Office: 901.678.2088 | Fax: 901.678.1653 JULY, 2012 | VOL. 2
EDUCATION Permissible Benefits/Medical Expenses/ Summer Conditioning — Division 1 Date Published: July 30, 2001 Item Ref: Column 16 #3 Division I institutions should note that Bylaw 17.02.1-(l) permits strength and conditioning coaches who are not countable coaches and who perform such duties on a department-wide basis to design and conduct specific workout programs for student-athletes during the summer, provided such workouts are voluntary and conducted at the request of the student-athlete. During its May 17, 2000, telephone conference, the Division I Academics/Eligibility/ Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on
IMPORTANT DATES
Legislative Review/Interpretations determined that an institution may provide medical expenses (including rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses) for any student-athlete who sustains an injury while participating in voluntary conditioning activities during the summer that are conducted by an institution’s strength and conditioning coach with department-wide duties. The subcommittee noted, however, that it remains impermissible for an institution to provide medical expenses for injuries sustained by a student-athlete engaging in voluntary summer conditioning activities that are not conducted by the strength and conditioning coach with department-wide duties. M
C-USA Board of Directors Wrap Meeting June 11, 2012 | IRVING, Texas - The Conference USA Board of Directors held its annual meeting today with C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky and Executive Associate Commissioner Judy MacLeod. The meeting opened as presidents and chancellors from the 2012-13 Conference USA members gave final approval on a number of recommendations made by the athletics directors during last month’s Spring Meetings. Later in the afternoon, the group welcomed presidents and chancellors from the six institutions who will join C-USA for the 2013-14 season. Chair of the C-USA Board of Directors and Tulane president Dr. Scott Cowen shared, “We had a very productive meeting with a high level of cooperation. We appreciated the contributions from the Presidents and Chancellors of our new members.” The Board of Directors gave their final approval on a number of items, including:
• C-USA Basketball Championships The Board approved that the C-USA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be hosted by Tulsa in 2013 and El Paso in 2014. The 2013 event will be held March 13-16 in downtown Tulsa at the BOK Center and across the street at the Tulsa Convention Center Arena. • Support for a Four-Team Playoff in Football The Board of Directors expressed support for a four-team national playoff, given its fundamental concerns with the current BCS model. •C ontinue to Explore Future Membership Growth The conference announced in May that it had entered into membership agreements with six institutions to join eight current members, beginning with the 2013-14 season. The Board agreed to continue its review of further expansion opportunities. The Board of Directors will meet again on October 22, 2012. M
July 5 ���������������������� Last day of Summer School (1st Session) July 10 �������������������� First day of Summer School (2nd Session) July 25 �������� Coaches Certification Exam
RECRUITING PERIODS BASEBALL July 1–31 ����������������������������Contact Period SOFTBALL July 1–31 ����������������������������Contact Period VOLLEY BALL July 1–31 ����������������������������Contact Period FOOTBALL July 1–31 ��������������������������������Quiet Period MEN’S BASKETBALL July 1–5 ����������������������������������Quiet Period July 6–31 ������������������������������ Dead Period* *Exceptions: 1. 7/11 (5 p.m.) - 7/15 (5 p.m.): Evaluation Period 2. 7/18 (5 p.m.) - 7/22 (5 p.m.): Evaluation Period 3. 7/25 (5 p.m.) - 7/29 (5 p.m.): Evaluation Period 4. It is permissible for an institution to have contact with a prospect who is enrolled in the institution’s summer term (i.e., summer session or summer bridge program) and has signed a National Letter of Intent or other written commitment to attend the institution. (Adopted: 4/25/02)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL July 1–5 ����������������������������������Quiet Period July 6–15 �����������������������Evaluation Period July 16–21 ���������������������������� Dead Period* * Exception: It is permissible for an institution to have contact with a prospect who is enrolled in the institution’s summer term (i.e., summer session or summer bridge program) and has signed a National Letter of Intent or other written commitment to attend the institution.
July 22–31 ���������������������Evaluation Period
COMPLIANCE STAFF Nicole Green, Director of Compliance ngreen@memphis.edu
Ryan Crews, Compliance Assistant rcccrews@memphis.edu
Jon Michalik, Graduate Assistant jmchalik@memphis.edu
570 Normal Street | Memphis, TN 38125 | Office: 901.678.2088 | Fax: 901.678.1653
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