NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- Norfolk State University Athletics will be placed on probation for having ineligible student athletes.
The school released the following press release on their website Thursday afternoon:
Norfolk State University (NSU) received notice from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Committee on Infractions of its final decision that the institution did not correctly apply/administer the progress-toward-degree process in certifying a number of student-athletes for competition. The NCAA determined that the infraction was the result of an administrative mistake and not any form of unethical behavior.
NSU discovered the violations after the presentation of its official findings at the conclusion of the 2012-13 Academic Performance Program (APP) data review. Thereafter, the institution self-reported the violations to the NCAA, implemented corrective actions and self-imposed penalties. The NCAA accepted the institution's self-imposed penalties, but also, proposed a two-year period of probation and the vacation of contests in which the ineligible student-athletes competed. The NCAA did not impose any postseason bans on any sports programs.
The case involved inadvertent violations of the NCAA's progress-toward-degree certification legislation that resulted in 48 ineligible student-athletes being allowed to compete in athletic contests from 2008-09 through 2010-11 academic years. Although the academic transcripts were used by the Registrar's Office to certify the student-athletes, the NCAA determined that the academic departments are responsible for determining the courses approved for degree applicable credits, and for completing all academic documents in a timely manner for the Registrar's Office to certify eligibility of student-athletes.
The violations occurred in 13 sports – baseball, women's bowling, men's cross country, women's cross country, football, softball, men's tennis, women's tennis, men's indoor track, women's indoor track, men's outdoor track, women's outdoor track and women's volleyball.
In 2013, the institution implemented administrative procedures to correct the progress-toward-degree process. As a result of the corrections, a record number of student-athletes have earned 3.0 or higher grade point averages, the Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores have increased significantly, and the graduation success rate continues to improve.
"The decision by the NCAA will serve as a catalyst to strengthen the institution's administrative procedures in certifying student-athletes for competition. The administrative and academic departments recognize the importance of their roles in adhering to NCAA regulations and performing their duties in a timely manner. Because of the new and improved processes and the academic success of the student-athletes, the institution has identified a model to improve the retention and graduation rates of all students," said President Eddie N. Moore, Jr.