The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions is citing Texas Southern for lack of institutional control stemming from recruiting violations, academic issues, the use of ineligible athletes, and exceeding scholarship limits. As part of the punishment, the football program is banned from postseason play for 2013 and 2014 and will face a five-year probationary period and scholarship limitations.
For over a seven-year period, Texas Southern was violating multiple NCAA rules in 13 Division I sports. During that time, over 129 student-athletes received some from of an improper benefit. Additionally, the NCAA determined coaches knew boosters were contacting potential players and their families. Moreover, à la Penn State, the football program must vacate all wins from the 2006-2011 seasons. This includes Texas Southern’s 2010 SWAC championship.
Penalties include:
- Public reprimand and censure.
- Five years probation from October 9, 2012, through October 8, 2017.
- Postseason ban for the 2013 and 2014 football seasons and 2012-13 men’s basketball season.
- Three-year show-cause orders for the former head men’s basketball coach and the former head football coach. The public report contains further details.
- A limit of no more than 65 overall counters, 25 initial counters (from 30 maximum) and 60 equivalency scholarships (from 63 maximum) in football for four academic years.
- A limit of 11 men’s basketball scholarships (from 13 maximum) for three academic years.
- Due to health and safety concerns related to the reductions in scholarships and squad size, during probation, the football team may only compete against FCS member schools.
- Vacation of all team records for the 2006-07 through 2009-10 academic years in all sports, and vacation of all team records for the 2010-11 academic year in football and woman’s soccer (self-imposed by the university).
- Reduction in the available number of recruiting person days by 10 for men’s basketball during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years (self-imposed by the university).
- During the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years, the university may only use half the available evaluation days in both the spring and fall evaluation periods in football.
- Football official paid visits are limited to 30 total per year for football and nine total per year for men’s basketball during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years.
- An in-person review of the university’s athletics policies and practices must be conducted annually, at the university’s expense, through the term of probation. The review must generate a report of his/her findings, to be submitted with the annual compliance reports and submitted to the committee.
