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.

Investigations 

The ability to investigative potential violations is critical to the common interests of the NCAA membership. The enforcement staff is committed to finding facts in a fair, accurate, collaborative and timely manner as outlined in Bylaw 19 and the Enforcement Internal Operating Procedures.  

The enforcement staff does not have police power and cannot base allegations of rules violations on confidential, off-the-record information. However, schools, current and former institutional staff members (including coaches), student-athletes and prospective student-athletes have a responsibility to cooperate in investigations. This typically means participating in interviews and providing relevant documentation and information. Those who fail to cooperate or who take steps to inhibit the investigation  may face additional consequences.  

Generally, the enforcement staff works collaboratively with institutions to conduct investigations. Some investigations are closed as the potential violations are unsubstantiated or the facts are not an NCAA violation. Other investigations substantiate violations and are processed based on the level – or seriousness – of the violations. 

Processing 

After conducting a collaborative investigation with the school, the enforcement staff analyzes on-the-record information to determine whether it supports that a violation occurred. If so, the enforcement staff – in consultation with the institution and participating involved individuals – drafts the appropriate allegations and the corresponding level of each allegation. There are three levels of violations in NCAA Division I infractions process:  

• Level I Violations – Violations that seriously undermine or threaten the integrity of the NCAA Collegiate Model by providing substantial recruiting, competitive or other advantage or benefits. Examples include lack of institutional control, academic misconduct, failure to cooperate and cash payment or benefits to prospects.  
• Level II Violations – Violations that provide more than a minimal but less than a substantial recruiting, competitive or other advantage or benefits. Examples include failure to monitor, multiple recruiting or eligibility violations and tampering.  
• Level III Violations – Violations that are isolated or limited and provide no more than a minimal recruiting, competitive or other advantage or benefits. 

If an investigation results in Level III violations, the case is processed by enforcement’s Level III/Secondary staff.

If the violations are Level I and/or Level II, the enforcement staff drafts allegations, and the case is submitted to the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions via one or two of the available resolution options outlined in Bylaw 19. The processing options include:  

• Negotiated Resolution – The enforcement staff and participating party agree on the facts, violations, level, classification and penalties.  
• Summary Disposition – The enforcement staff and participating party agree on the facts, violations and level but disagree on the classification and/or penalties.  
• Written Record Hearing – The enforcement staff and participating party have limited disagreement on facts, violations and/or level.  
• Full Hearing Resolution – The enforcement staff and participating party have significant disagreement and/or the case involves other legislated factors requiring a full review by the committee.   

Learn more about each processing options here.