News Summary
The NCAA has sanctioned the University of Memphis due to serious violations of academic integrity involving its menโs basketball and softball teams. An investigation revealed that an academic counselor paid softball players to assist a basketball player with schoolwork. This led to the participation of ineligible athletes in multiple games, resulting in vacated wins and probationary measures against the university. The penalties aim to uphold academic integrity in college sports.
Memphis, TN โ The NCAA has imposed significant penalties on the University of Memphis due to confirmed violations of academic integrity involving its menโs basketball and softball programs. The announcement, made on Wednesday, outlines a series of sanctions following an investigation into these infractions.
The NCAA’s investigation uncovered that former academic counselor Leslie Brooks engaged in improper practices by paying two softball players to assist a menโs basketball player with coursework and tests. Specifically, one softball player received $150 for completing three assignments, while the second player was paid $400 for providing answers to five tests and four quizzes, ultimately directly aiding the basketball player in his academic obligations.
As a result of these violations, a total of three student-athletesโone basketball player and two softball playersโparticipated in 20 games while ineligible, with the games having taken place between January 25 and February 18, 2024. The NCAA has ordered the university to vacate the results of these contests, which include victories over notable opponents such as Wichita State, Temple, and Tulane.
Furthermore, the University of Memphis has been placed under two years of probation and fined $30,000. In addition, the institution is required to pay 1% of the combined budgets for its menโs basketball and softball programs, reflecting the seriousness of the violations. This new probation period adds to a previous three-year probation that stemmed from earlier infractions related to player eligibility, extending the total probationary period to five consecutive years.
Leslie Brooks, the individual at the center of the scandal, has received a 10-year show-cause penalty, which prohibits her from participating in NCAA athletics activities at any member institution during that timeframe. Brooks was terminated from her position at the university on February 23, 2024, mere days before the NCAA announced the penalties.
Although Memphis basketball head coach Penny Hardaway was not implicated in any wrongdoing in the case, the program he leads has been under scrutiny for various ongoing NCAA issues throughout his tenure. The recent academic integrity violations were initially reported to the university after discussions among players led to a formal whistleblower report submitted by one of the softball players. Details regarding the involved parties have been kept confidential, though sources suggest that the basketball player at the center of the allegations is Malcolm Dandridge.
The NCAAโs decision to vacate the results of the 20 games played by ineligible student-athletes represents a significant blow to the credibility and reputation of the University of Memphis’s athletic programs. The recommended penalties reflect the governing bodyโs commitment to maintaining academic integrity across college sports and serve as a cautionary reminder to other institutions regarding the consequences of academic misconduct.
Currently, the athletic department at the University of Memphis has opted not to comment publicly on the NCAA’s findings or the subsequent penalties associated with this case.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis Basketball Violations
- CBS Sports: Memphis Basketball Fined
- Action News 5: NCAA Probation on Memphis
- New York Times: Memphis NCAA Probation
- On3: NCAA Places Memphis Basketball on Probation
- Wikipedia: NCAA
- Google Search: Memphis basketball NCAA violations
- Google Scholar: Memphis basketball NCAA violations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memphis basketball
- Google News: Memphis basketball
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