Jackson State University Placed on Probation, Penalties Assessed In Men's Track and Field

INDIANAPOLIS---Jackson State University has been placed on probation for five years and the men's cross country and track and field programs will be ineligible for post-season competition for two years for violations of NCAA legislation governing institutional control, financial aid, ethical conduct, playing and practice seasons, and eligibility.

The case involved numerous violations in the men's cross country and track and field programs, including impermissible meals, lodging, participation, financial aid and other benefits to student-athletes, primarily during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 academic years.

Jackson State had appeared before the Committee on Infractions in 1992 for similar violations. Committee members concluded that institutional control issues had not improved significantly in the interim period. However, the committee said it was encouraged by the university's cooperation with the enforcement staff during the investigation of this case and the steps it is taking to control its athletics program.

Specifically in this case, ineligible student-athletes competed for the university in cross country during 1994-95. On at least two occasions, student-athletes participated in meets using the names of other student-athletes. In addition, from 1995-96 through 1998-99, a former head cross country and track and field coach provided cash ranging from $200 to $500 to seven international student-athletes to assist with the cost of their meals during holiday periods. The funds came from the athletics department with the approval of the former athletics director. A total of $7,320 was distributed over the four-year period.

During 1995-96 and 1996-97, a former head coach provided cash to three international student-athletes. This included small amounts of cash to pay for the cost of laundry, long-distance telephone calls, transportation and other items. Several international student-athletes also were provided with impermissible housing benefits and participated in out-of-season practice.

The Division I Committee on Infractions also found that the former head coach for cross country and track and field violated the principles of ethical conduct. The committee said the former coach's lack of collegiate level experience may have been the reason for some of the violations but also noted that with violations of eligibility and extra benefits legislation, there appeared to be blatant and willful disregard.

The committee also found a lack of institutional control because the university failed to ensure that partial qualifiers did not practice, compete and receive athletically related financial aid according to rules in effect during the time of the violations; did not have rules in place to monitor employment of student-athletes; did not have a system to determine if student-athletes were enrolled full time; did not notify student-athletes of changes to financial aid agreements; and did not have formal rules education in place for cross country and track and field coaches.

The university imposed a number of corrective actions and penalties, which were considered by the committee. The following actions were taken:

• The institution will forfeit any meets, tournaments and awards in which ineligible student-athletes participated.

• The institution's men's track and field and cross country programs will be ineligible to participate in post-season championships (conference and NCAA competitions) during the 2000-01 academic year.

• In men's track and field and cross country the financial awards (scholarships) will be reduced by three in 2000-01, two in 2001-02 and one in 2002-03.

• A three-year probationary period, which will include written reports from the university certifying an appropriate system of compliance and a self-study and re-certification process.

• The institution accepted the retirement of the former director of athletics.

• The institution refused to renew the employment of the former head cross country and track and field coach.

• The institution accepted the resignation of a former assistant cross country and track and field coach.

• The institution reassigned the former compliance coordinator to a position outside the department of athletics.

• The institution hired a director of athletics.

• The institution named a new compliance coordinator.

• The university is establishing a compliance committee with a cross-section of university representation. The committee will report directly to the university president.

• The institution will develop a comprehensive system for compliance.

The committee on infractions imposed the following additional penalties because of the finding of lack of institutional control that had continued since the university's 1992 case:

• Public reprimand and censure.

• Five years of probation, beginning May 17, 2000.

• In addition to the self-imposed penalty in which its men's cross country and track and field programs are ineligible for post-season championship competition during the 2000-01 academic year, the university's cross country and track and field teams also will end their 2001-02 seasons with the last regular-season contest. Individual members of these teams may qualify and compete in NCAA championships based upon their performance, but no team scoring will be permitted.

• The institution shall be limited to no more than nine athletic grants-in-aid in men's cross country and track during the 2000-01 academic year, 10 during the 2001-02 academic year and 11 during the 2002-03 academic year.

• During the probationary period, the university will develop and implement a comprehensive educational program on NCAA legislation, provide the NCAA with a report by June 29, 2000 setting the schedule for establishment of the program, file annual progress reports and strengthen the role of the faculty athletics representative.

As required by NCAA legislation for any institution involved in a major infractions case, Jackson State is subject to the NCAA's repeat-violator provisions for a five-year period beginning on the effective date of the penalties in this case, May 17, 2000.

The members of the Division I Committee on Infractions who heard this case are: Jack Friedenthal, committee chair and professor of law, George Washington University; Alice Gresham Bullock, dean, school of law, Howard University; Richard J. Dunn, professor of English, University of Washington; Frederick B. Lacey, attorney and retired judge, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, Newark, New Jersey; Gene A. Marsh, professor of law, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; Josephine R. Potuto, professor of law, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; and Thomas E. Yeager, commissioner, Colonial Athletic Association.

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