The commitment to fair competition, integrity and sportsmanship are core principles for NCAA member schools. These commitments are the foundation of the infractions process and why NCAA member schools and conferences create the Association’s rules and decide whether violations occur and what penalties should be prescribed for violations. It is important that those schools and student-athletes abiding by NCAA rules are not disadvantaged by their commitment to compliance.

Enforcement

The NCAA enforcement staff monitors information regarding potential violations, investigates potential threats to college sports, processes less serious violations, provides notice of alleged violations to schools and involved individuals, and presents cases to the Committees on Infractions. Information on possible violations is reported to the NCAA enforcement staff in several ways, such as self-reporting, sources, phone calls, public or member tips, and social media. Enforcement investigators charged with reviewing information about potential violations are committed to doing so in a fair, accurate, collaborative and timely manner. The enforcement staff works together with schools and other parties to uncover the facts and assess whether violations may have occurred. Not all tips are substantiated, and not all reported behaviors are violations of NCAA rules. At the completion of an investigation, the enforcement staff works collaboratively with schools to prepare potential violations for presentation to the NCAA Committees on Infractions.

Committees on Infractions

Each division has a Committee on Infractions, which forms the heart of the peer-review model that defines the NCAA’s infractions process. The Committees on Infractions that decide on potential violations comprise qualified representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences from their respective division, along with individuals from the general public who have legal training. Each division’s Committee on Infractions conducts hearings, concludes whether violations occurred and prescribes appropriate penalties, among other responsibilities.  

Infractions Appeals Committees

If a school or involved individual disagrees with a Committee on Infractions’ determination of factual findings, conclusions, or findings of violations and/or penalties, an appeal may be submitted for review by the division’s Infractions Appeals Committee. The Infractions Appeals Committee also comprises representatives from that division’s member schools or conferences, as well as members of the public with legal training. An appeal to the Infractions Appeals Committee is not a second opportunity to argue the full case. Instead, the committee reviews only the matters appealed by the parties.