A study by the Florida-based Michael L. Buckner Law Firm concluded that Bowl Championship Series (BCS) universities receive less stringent probation penalties from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) than other Division I institutions for violating the governing body’s rules. It also claimed that historically black colleges and universities in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference (HBCUs) receive higher probation penalties from the NCAA infractions committee than any other Division I category.
The study said the NCCA Committee on Infractions:
• Issued an average 2.58-year probation penalty to universities in the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC (BCS automatic-qualifier schools) while imposing an average 2.74-year probation penalty on all other Division I institutions.
• Issued an average 2.58-year probation penalty to FBS schools while imposing an average 2.86-year probation penalty on all other Division I schools.
• Issued an average 3.83-year probation penalty to HBCUs while imposing average 2.58, 2.58 and 2.54-year probation penalties on BCS automatic-qualifiers, FBS schools and on all Division I schools (excluding HBCUs), respectfully.
In response, NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn criticized the study’s methodology.
“The unsubstantiated claims made by the Michael L. Buckner Law Firm are based upon an inadequate examination of the facts,” Osburn said. “Specifically, its ‘research’ is reliant on a very small sample size of a handful of institutions and a methodology that fails to tests the claims against standard statistical criteria.”
Buckner fired back against what he called the NCAA’s “inaccurate and incomplete statements” about his research.
“The NCAA, instead of criticizing the study, should have joined with us in exploring how the membership can improve the rules-compliance programs and investigative capabilities of all universities,” Buckner said.
The study said the NCCA Committee on Infractions:
• Issued an average 2.58-year probation penalty to universities in the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC (BCS automatic-qualifier schools) while imposing an average 2.74-year probation penalty on all other Division I institutions.
• Issued an average 2.58-year probation penalty to FBS schools while imposing an average 2.86-year probation penalty on all other Division I schools.
• Issued an average 3.83-year probation penalty to HBCUs while imposing average 2.58, 2.58 and 2.54-year probation penalties on BCS automatic-qualifiers, FBS schools and on all Division I schools (excluding HBCUs), respectfully.
In response, NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn criticized the study’s methodology.
“The unsubstantiated claims made by the Michael L. Buckner Law Firm are based upon an inadequate examination of the facts,” Osburn said. “Specifically, its ‘research’ is reliant on a very small sample size of a handful of institutions and a methodology that fails to tests the claims against standard statistical criteria.”
Buckner fired back against what he called the NCAA’s “inaccurate and incomplete statements” about his research.
“The NCAA, instead of criticizing the study, should have joined with us in exploring how the membership can improve the rules-compliance programs and investigative capabilities of all universities,” Buckner said.