About Eligibility
Commitment to academic achievement and adherence to member-created rules are vital parts of the NCAA’s mission to integrate athletics into the fabric of higher education. NCAA member schools create rules to ensure that the Association’s 430,000 student-athletes compete on equal footing. Various NCAA committees and the national office staff members work to make sure rules are applied fairly.
Remaining Eligible
Student-Athlete Reinstatement
The term “student-athlete reinstatement” describes the process used to restore the eligibility of a student-athlete involved in an NCAA rules violation.
People Behind the Decisions
Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement
Cynthia Rail, Denver
David K. Wells, Mississippi
Tony Hernandez, Miami (Florida)
Megan P. McHugo, The Ivy League
Division II Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement
Denisha Hendricks, Kentucky State
Kim Vinson, Cameron (chair)
Andre Roach, St. Augustine's
Paul H. Englemann, Central Missouri
Will Lynch, Armstrong Atlantic State
Megan Davis, Saint Joseph's (Indiana)
Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement
Kimberly Fierke, Salem
Janine M. Hathorn, Washington and Lee
Danny Miller, Averett (chair)
Jennifer Dubow, Colonial State Athletic Conference
Charlie Wilson, Olivet College
Elizabeth Tollett, Salisbury
Steven Felix Berardi, Ursinus
If an institution determines that a student-athlete was involved in a violation that affects eligibility, it must declare that student-athlete ineligible. At that point, the institution must investigate, gather facts and submit a reinstatement request to the NCAA national office staff.
During the reinstatement process, specially trained NCAA staff members review each case on its own merits and facts. The staff members then provide an initial decision based on guidelines established by the Division I NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. Those guidelines include the nature and seriousness of the violation, any impermissible benefits received and the student-athlete’s level of responsibility. Staff also considers any relevant case precedent and whatever mitigating factors the university presents.
Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. Most cases are resolved quickly. In fact, many likely conclude before an investigation closes.
The decision can be reinstatement, reinstatement with conditions, or denial.
If the institution disagrees with the NCAA staff’s decision, it can appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for the applicable division. Those Divisions I and II groups are composed of representatives from NCAA member institutions and conferences. They can reduce or remove the conditions the staff has imposed, but they cannot increase them.
Last Updated: May 31, 2012
