Out of Bounds (Major Infraction)

Facts: In October 2004, prospective student-athlete was on an offi cial visit to Institution. During that offi cial visit, prospective student-

athlete attended an annual scrimmage held at Institution's arena. During the scrimmage, which was open to the public, the prospective

student-athlete was permitted to sit on the team bench with the knowledge of the coaching staff. During the event, a public

announcement was made over the PA system announcing that the prospective student-athlete was in attendance at the game.

During the same scrimmage, which was held during a quiet period, the coaching staff also permitted two other prospective student-athletes

on campus for unoffi cial visits to sit on the team bench. The same public announcement that publicized the fact that the fi rst

prospective student-athlete was in attendance, also announced the two other prospective-student athletes.

Throughout the course of the NCAA investigation into the infractions, multiple secondary violations were discovered. While they

were secondary by themselves, the number of violations uncovered caused the case to rise to the level of a major infraction.

Enforcement Action: Although the Institution argued that a violation did not occur because the event in question was "a practice

scrimmage ...open to the public without charge and was not organized in the fashion of a regular season or exhibition game. Spectators

were afforded open seating and sat wherever they chose", the enforcement staff found that they were in violation because:

The student-athletes who were participating in the scrimmage were wearing their team uniforms,

The scrimmage was an annual event taking place over the past 15 years,

Time and score was kept;

And about 1,500 members of the public attended the scrimmage.

Furthermore, Bylaw 13.6.7.2 states, "Such admissions may provide seating only in the general seating area of the facility used for

conducting the event. Providing seating during the conduct of the event (including intermission) for the prospective student-athlete or

those persons accompanying the prospective student-athlete in the facility's press box, special seating box(es) or bench area is specifi -

cally prohibited."

Therefore, allowing the prospective student-athletes to sit on the teams bench during the scrimmage was a direct violation of this

bylaw, and, because they allowed the prospective student-athletes to sit on the bench, they effectively publicized the prospects presence

in violation of Bylaw 13.10.2.4, which states, "A member institution shall not publicize (or arrange for publicity of) a prospective

student-athlete's visit to the institution's campus. Further, a prospective student-athlete may not participate in team activities that

would make the public or media aware of the prospective student-athlete's visit to the institution (e.g., running out of the tunnel with

team, celebratory walks to or around the stadium/arena, on-fi eld pregame celebrations)."Moreover, the Committee on Infractions noted

that an offi cial interpretation from the Membership Services staff specifi cally addressed special seating at these types of events, and

prohibited seating on the team bench area.

Penalties: The Institution was publicly reprimanded and censured, the athletics program was placed on probation for two years, four

recruiting opportunities were removed from the athletic program in question, letters of admonishment were issued to the head coach,

members of the coaching staff, and the director of operations, and the Institutions compliance coordinator and coaching staff had to

attend an NCAA compliance seminar.

Syracuse University

Office of Athletic Compliance

Manley Field House

Syracuse, NY 13244-5020

Syracuse University Athletics