NCAA outlines investigation process

Last updated at 6:30 p.m.

Following Thursday’s announcement that CSC self-reported possible violations to the NCAA involving the football program and finances, Stacey Osburn, associate director of public and media relations for the NCAA, dubbed the incident as “something that happens quite often.”

Osburn explained that, when a school self-reports, the typical investigation process has three main stages.

First, the NCAA’s enforcement staff works with the institution to gather relevant data on the case. Osburn said the typical time range for an investigation ranges from a “matter of months to longer,” and that length “depends on the number and complexity of factors.”

“Your case is average,” Osburn said about the complexity of the case in contrast with others she has seen.

Osburn said that typically each case is assigned a single investigator from the enforcement department, but that multiple investigators may be added depending on complexity. She said she couldn’t comment on the identity of the investigator assigned to Chadron State.

Second, all relevant external parties are notified, and any additional data is gathered.

Third, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions meets and has the “ultimate decision on violations,” Osburn said.

Osburn said the make-up of the committee is diverse, including members from various NCAA schools, as well as two general members of the public.

“It’s meant to be a peer-group,” Osburn said about the committee.

The NCAA created a list of possible penalties for violations, which Osburn said she would make available to The Eagle.

Osburn described the NCAA’s discipline objective by saying “The penalty should address the type of violation.” Osburn also added that the purpose of a penalty was to prevent repeat offenses and remove any competitive advantage.

If there are recruiting-type violations, there will typically be penalties that affect recruiting, Osburn said.

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference operates autonomously of the NCAA in matters of discipline. The conference either finds the NCAA’s punishment sufficient, or they can levy their own additional penalties, Osburn said.

Osburn clarified that just because a school self-reports a violation does not mean that said school would necessarily be sanctioned.

Janie Park, CSC president, said Friday afternoon that she couldn’t reveal anything further than what had been published in the press release.