Memphis, TN, August 11, 2025
News Summary
The NCAA has placed Memphis Universityโs menโs basketball and softball programs on a two-year probation due to significant academic violations involving an academic counselor facilitating misconduct. This includes financial penalties and vacating wins from the basketball team. The issues arose when the counselor compensated softball players to complete coursework for a basketball player, breaching academic integrity. This is part of ongoing scrutiny the university has faced concerning their athletic programs.
Memphis University Faces Two-Year NCAA Probation for Academic Violations
Memphis, TN – The NCAA has placed the Memphis menโs basketball and softball programs on probation for two years due to significant academic violations. The infractions primarily involved an academic counselor facilitating academic misconduct by compensating two softball players to complete coursework for a basketball player during the 2023-24 season.
The Memphis athletic department was ordered to pay a fine of $30,000, and the NCAA has reduced the budget for both the menโs basketball and softball programs by 1 percent. Additionally, Memphis was required to vacate three wins from the menโs basketball team during the 2023-24 season as a result of these violations.
The violations occurred between January 25 and February 18, 2024, when softball players provided answers to tests and completed multiple assignments for a menโs basketball player in classes they shared. Although the NCAA did not release the names of those involved, reports indicate that forward Malcolm Dandridge was implicated. Dandridge was subsequently held out of the last five games of the season, with his final appearance being on February 21, 2024.
Details of the Violations
The academic misconduct was reportedly orchestrated by former academic adviser Leslie Brooks, who paid the two softball players a total of $550 through her personal Apple Pay account. Brooks was terminated from her position on February 23, 2024, and the NCAA imposed a 10-year show cause penalty on her, which restricts her ability to work in the field.
The violations came to light when a softball athletic trainer overheard players discussing issues of academic integrity concerning Brooks’ actions. Following the realization of misconduct, a softball player reported the situation to both the trainer and the head coach, prompting investigation by the administration.
Impact on Coaching Staff
Although head coach Penny Hardaway was not implicated in these specific violations, his program has faced multiple NCAA investigations during his tenure. Notably, in 2022, the Memphis basketball program was placed on probation for three years due to the management of James Wiseman’s eligibility. Additionally, during the 2023-24 season, Hardaway was suspended for three games due to two impermissible in-home visits with a recruit, further complicating the programโs standing with the NCAA.
The latest penalties extend Memphis’s probation period, marking an ongoing trend of NCAA scrutiny that has spanned five consecutive years.
Background Context
The NCAAโs investigation into Memphis’s athletic programs highlights ongoing concerns regarding academic integrity in college sports. The recent penalties not only affect the basketball and softball teams but may also have broader implications for the university’s recruiting strategies and overall reputation in collegiate athletics. The university is tasked with returning to compliance while managing the sanctions imposed by the NCAA, requiring a thorough reassessment of their academic support systems.
FAQ Section
FAQ
What are the penalties imposed on Memphis University?
The NCAA has placed Memphis’s menโs basketball and softball programs on probation for two years, imposed a $30,000 fine, and reduced the athletic budget by 1 percent for both programs. Memphis also has to vacate three wins from the men’s basketball team’s 2023-24 season.
What specific violations occurred?
An academic counselor paid two softball players to complete coursework for a men’s basketball player, compromising the academic integrity of the athletes involved.
Who was involved in the violations?
While the NCAA did not disclose specific names, reports indicate that forward Malcolm Dandridge was implicated, along with former academic adviser Leslie Brooks, who facilitated the violations.
How has Memphis’s athletic history affected its current situation?
Memphis has faced multiple NCAA issues over the past years, including a three-year probation due to past management of athlete eligibility and recent suspensions of head coach Penny Hardaway for infractions during recruitment.
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Additional Resources
- Memphis Athletics TV Partnership Announcement
- MSN News: NCAA Disciplines Memphis Athletics
- Front Office Sports: Memphis Programs on NCAA Probation
- New York Times: Memphis Basketball NCAA Probation
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Athletic Director Salary and Realignment
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