The NCAA enforcement staff is mindful of the evolving COVID-19 public health threat and its impact. We are sensitive to unique needs member schools are facing. In an effort to address important public health precautions, the NCAA and its members have made several decisions related to the initial impact of the COVID-19 virus on the operation of campuses and athletics. Leaders in Division I and II have put an immediate ban on in-person recruiting until April 15. Impermissible contacts and other violations at this time disadvantage schools that follow the rules and compromise public health. Members expect compliance with applicable rules during this dead period, and we are working to prevent or detect meaningful infractions. We encourage coaches and schools to report instances of impermissible recruiting and other violations to the enforcement staff.

Enforcement

Enforcement is one component of the infractions process.  The mission of the enforcement department is to uphold integrity and fair play among member schools; ensure that compliant schools and student-athletes are not disadvantaged by their compliance and provide fair procedures and timely resolution of cases.

  • Division I Infractions Process

    NCAA membership created the infractions process to ensure fair play and integrity among NCAA schools. Resolving a case of alleged violations include distinct phases of fact gathering, review and appeal.

  • Investigations

    The enforcement investigations group entrusted with investigating information that involves potential violations of NCAA legislation is committed to finding facts in a fair, accurate, collaborative and timely manner. The investigations and processing group combines both functions to have a consistent process throughout the enforcement phase of the infractions program. 

  • Level III Secondary Infractions

    The Level III/secondary enforcement group processes Level III and secondary violations self-reported via Requests/Self-Reports Online while serving as a resource for the membership and staff in clarifying and identifying Level III/Secondary Violations.

    Level III/Secondary contacts

    Fine payments

    The fine may be made by credit card online within RSRO or by check (payable to the NCAA and include RSRO case number). Checks should be submitted to:

    NCAA
    P.O. Box 540014 
    Atlanta, GA 30353-0014 

  • Enforcement Certification and Approvals Group (ECAG)

    Due to recently announced staff furloughs at the National Office, the NCAA Enforcement Certification and Approvals Group (ECAG) will be closed and unavailable during the following weeks: Week 1 (September 28-October 2); Week 2 (November 9-13); Week 3 (December 14-18). Additionally, the National Office is closed from December 24 – January 4.

    During these weeks, NO business processes—including application processing, educational initiatives, account updates or technology assistance—will be completed. Please note that our entire team will be unavailable to address questions via call or email during these weeks.

    When we re-open, we anticipate impact to our typical timelines for responses to inquiries and processing of certifications/approvals in the weeks immediately following the closures. Thank you for planning accordingly and for your patience as we work through these challenging times.

    The NCAA enforcement certification and approvals group (ECAG) is a team within the NCAA enforcement staff responsible for evaluating and administrating the NCAA's certification/approval programs identified in NCAA Bylaws 12.02.1.2, 13.14.3, 13.18, 13.19, 17.31.4.  The subject areas outlined below serve the NCAA membership by assisting in in promoting and maintaining the integrity of collegiate recruiting in basketball and football and preserving the eligibility of prospective student-athletes (PSAs) and currently enrolled NCAA student-athletes (SAs) while protecting their best interests.

    Guidelines and requirements for all ECAG processes is available in the ECAG Policies and Procedures.

    Basketball Certification

    The basketball certification program provides event/league operators who agree to operate their activities in accordance with applicable NCAA legislation and ECAG requirements the opportunity to receive NCAA certification to allow specific involvement with individuals at NCAA Division I institutions.

    For an event/league to maintain NCAA certification, the event/league operator must annually apply with ECAG, receive certification and the event/league must be conducted in accordance with applicable NCAA legislation, ECAG P&Ps established and maintained by the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Oversight Committees (MBOC and WBOC) and guidelines established and maintained by ECAG.

    The basketball certification program includes all the following:

    Nonscholastic Event Certification.

    During the spring and summer evaluations periods, NCAA Division I coaches are permitted to attend NCAA-certified nonscholastic events (e.g., camp, league, tournament or festival) to observe participating PSAs during specific ECAG certified dates and times.

    Scholastic Event Certification - Men's Basketball (MBB).

    During the scholastic evaluation periods, NCAA Division I men's coaches are permitted to attend NCAA-certified scholastic events during specified dates and times to observe participating PSAs. The purpose of the scholastic period is to help advance and maintain an education-based focus in the recruiting environment, and ensure such events are conducted in a manner consistent with the Association's core mission. Evaluations by Division I coaches are limited to scholastic and intercollegiate events that are approved by the appropriate certification body as identified in NCAA Bylaw 13.1.7.5.3, which includes the:

    • National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for NFHS member schools.
    • NCAA (via ECAG) for events conducted by scholastic associations that are not members of NFHS.
    • Applicable two-year college governing body such as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), California Community College Athletics Association (CCCAA) and Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).

    Summer League Certification.

    Certification of a summer basketball league permits NCAA Division I SAs to participate in the league during specified dates and times. Participation of Division I SAs is limited to leagues certified by the NCAA in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 17.31.4.1.

    Recruiting/Scouting Service Approval

    The recruiting/scouting service approval process provides operators who agree to operate their services in accordance with applicable NCAA legislation and ECAG requirements the opportunity to receive NCAA "approval" for NCAA Division I coaches to purchase the service as a resource for the recruiting process in the sports of basketball and football.

    For a recruiting/scouting service to maintain NCAA approval, the service operator must annually apply with ECAG, receive NCAA approval and the service must be conducted in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 13.14.3, ECAG P&Ps established and maintained by the MBOC, WBOC and NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committees (FOC) and guidelines established and maintained by ECAG.

    Agent Certification

    The agent certification process provides specific National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) registered agents who agree to operate in accordance with applicable NCAA legislation and ECAG requirements the opportunity to receive NCAA certification to allow the agent to enter into a Standard Player Agent Contract (SPAC) with eligible SAs or two-year college PSAs without negatively impacting the SA's NCAA eligibility. To the extent possible, the agent certification process assists in ensuring that NCAA SAs in the sport of MBB who are considering a professional career may obtain the assistance of a qualified agent in a transparent and consistent manner while being able to maintain collegiate eligibility.

    For an agent to maintain NCAA certification, the agent must annually apply with ECAG, receive NCAA certification, and conduct his/her business in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 12.02.1.2, ECAG P&Ps established and maintained by SVPC and guidelines established and maintained by ECAG.

  • Sports Wagering

    NCAA rules prohibit participation in sports wagering activities and from providing information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition. Sports wagering has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the well-being of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community.  It also demeans the competition and competitors alike by spreading a message that is contrary to the purpose and meaning of "sport."  Sports competition should be appreciated for the inherent benefits related to participation of student-athletes, coaches and institutions in fair contests, not the amount of money wagered on the outcome of the competition. 

Enforcement by the Numbers

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Membership Enforcement Resources