Update on NCAA IARP Decision
NOV. 3, 2022
University of Louisville Statement
“With the IARP decision announced today, the five-year process involving the University of Louisville’s men’s basketball program has now come to an end. We are grateful to the members of the panel, led by Chairman Benck, who were fair and deliberate and who ultimately supported many of our robust arguments. While the IARP process provided the opportunity for our case to be heard by an objective panel, a five-year process is much too long. The process left the University of Louisville’s men’s basketball program in limbo and created significant competitive disadvantages. When allegations in this matter first came to light several years ago, the University took these allegations seriously and acted immediately, enacting several sweeping changes to strengthen our policies and procedures to prevent this from happening again. For our University, the Louisville community, our men’s basketball program and our passionate fans, today marks the beginning of a new chapter and we are only looking forward.”
The University of Louisville will be holding a press conference regarding the findings and resolution.
UofL officials respond to IARP decision – Watch the livestream.
The findings
Read the IARP press release.
Read the IARP decision.
Previous information
Notice of Allegations
The Amended Notice of Allegations document that the University of Louisville received on Sep 30, 2021 can be viewed here.
The University of Louisville has received an amendment to our May 4, 2020 Notice of Allegations from the NCAA. Once thoroughly reviewed, we will respond in the best interests of the University of Louisville and the Louisville Cardinals Men’s Basketball program. Further information on the IARP process may be found here.
The University does not determine the dates or the timeline of the IARP process. Realistically, we are preparing for this process to continue through Spring of 2022.
The NCAA has granted the University of Louisville’s request to resolve its case regarding alleged violations in the men’s basketball program through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process. The university looks forward to the fair resolution of this matter.
On Dec. 15, the University of Louisville requested referral of its case regarding alleged violations in the men’s basketball program to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process. This is the latest step in the ongoing NCAA enforcement matter. The university expects to receive a decision from the Infractions Referral Committee and ultimately looks forward to the fair resolution of this case.
Independent Accountability Resolution Process Referral Petition
University of Louisville statement regarding the NCAA's response
On Dec. 1, the University of Louisville received the NCAA enforcement staff’s response to the institution’s response to the Notice of Allegations issued in May 2020 regarding alleged violations in the men’s basketball program. The enforcement staff’s response is the latest step in the ongoing NCAA enforcement matter. The university stands firm in its position that the majority of the allegations are not supported by the facts or by NCAA bylaws. Since the federal indictments were announced in September 2017, UofL has implemented extensive corrective measures throughout its athletic department and promotes a culture of compliance. The university looks forward to the fair resolution of this matter.
The NCAA response that the University of Louisville received on Dec. 1, 2020 can be viewed here.
Today, the University of Louisville received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA regarding the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 men’s basketball program. The issuance of the Notice comes after a nearly two-year long investigation by the NCAA enforcement staff into several college men’s basketball programs, all stemming from a Department of Justice investigation.
The allegations issued against the Louisville men’s basketball program include:
- A Level I allegation that an improper recruiting offer, and subsequent extra benefits to the family of an enrolled student athlete; and a recruiting inducement to a prospective student-athlete’s non-scholastic coach/trainer, were provided by certain individuals, purportedly identified and defined by the NCAA as “representatives of the university’s athletics interests,” none of whom had traditional connections to the University beyond their affiliation with Adidas or professional athlete management entities, as well as by a former assistant coach and a former associate head coach;
- A Level II allegation of recruiting violations by the same two former men’s basketball coaching staff members in providing impermissible transportation and having impermissible contact in the context of recruitment-related activities;
- A Level II allegation that the institution failed to adequately monitor the recruitment of an incoming, high-profile student-athlete;
- A Level II allegation that the former head men’s basketball coach did not satisfy his head coach responsibility when he failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance;
It is important to remember that these are allegations—not facts—and the University will diligently prepare a full and comprehensive response and, absent an unforeseen development, submit it within the prescribed ninety-day period. For those allegations that are proven to be factual, the University will take responsibility, as accountability is one of our core Cardinal Principles. However, we will not hesitate to push back where the evidence does not support the NCAA’s interpretations or allegations of charges. UofL has a right and a responsibility to stand up for itself when faced with unfair or unfounded charges and will always act in the best interests of the institution. Our legal team has begun the process of reviewing the Notice and will prepare a thorough response on behalf of the University.
Over the last two-and-a-half years, we are proud of how the University of Louisville has worked hard to transform itself into a model of compliance and ethical conduct and has not shied away from difficult decisions, going well-beyond reforms at any other involved institution.
- The University changed its leadership on campus, in athletics and in the men’s basketball program, as part of a series of personnel, systematic and cultural changes.
- Athletics Compliance now reports outside of athletics directly to the Vice President for Risk Management, Audit and Compliance.
- All counsel for Athletics now reports directly through the office of the University’s General Counsel.
- The University completely revised the Head Coach contract language regarding NCAA compliance expectations, particularly as it relates to Head Coach responsibility.
- The Department of Athletics enhanced rules education and compliance monitoring for all staff.
- Compliance staff provided in-person rules education to the University Board of Trustees and to the ULAA Board.
- Compliance staff provided in-person rules education to the President’s Leadership Team and to other key University offices.
- The Department of Athletics began an ethical leadership series required for all athletics staff.
- The University placed a renewed emphasis on the faculty-led Committee on Academic Performance.
- The University remains committed to complete and transparent reform.
- None of the men’s basketball staff members involved in the allegations remain at the University.
- Neither of the involved men’s basketball prospects referenced in the allegations ever represented UofL in competition.
The University of Louisville will always be guided by our Cardinal Principles and we must keep them front and center when confronting challenges. We will not allow others to define us, as those of us who are a part of this amazing institution know the greatness of the University of Louisville.
Go Cards!
Neeli Bendapudi, President
Vincent Tyra, Director of Athletics
Athletics/University Policy Changes
May 04, 2020
The following actions and initiatives are examples of the University of Louisville’s continued commitment to institutional control, rules compliance, and active education and monitoring.
- MBB staff along with all sport staffs, and departments receives regular rules education, rules guidance and monitoring reminders by the Athletics Compliance staff throughout the year.
- Athletics Compliance, along with Athletics HR, conducts comprehensive in-person, new hire orientation for coaches and staff spelling out in writing all expectations and standards of behavior as well as consequences.
- On the recommendation of President Bendapudi, the Office of Athletic Compliance now directly reports outside of athletics to the Vice-President for Risk Management, Audit and Compliance on the university side. This shift creates university wide consistency by including athletic compliance in the same reporting line as all other compliance areas of the university.
- Athletics Compliance provided targeted rules education to the previous MBB staff on multiple occasions regarding third-party influences, including specific examples of third-party influences in MBB recruiting environment, and the risk of NCAA violations when third-parties become involved with the recruitment of MBB prospects.
- Athletics Compliance regularly reinforced via in-person, electronic, and phone communications with the previous MBB staff the importance and expectations for the MBB program to actively monitor its recruiting operation including timely submission of complete and accurate compliance forms, proactively communicating with Athletics Compliance, and promptly reporting complete and timely information regarding any potential NCAA violations or actions that could lead to violations including the involvement of third-parties with a prospect’s recruitment.
- Institution withheld involved MBB student-athlete immediately from all participation upon discovery of potential eligibility issues.
- Institution never played a MBB student-athlete in competition if there was any pending or reported allegation of ineligibility.
- Institution took decisive action and immediately put involved coaches on leave and subsequently terminated employment.
- Instituted ethics and leadership programming across Athletics Department. Other universities have sought U of L’s input and paradigm to establish their programming.
- Conducts in-person rules education to ULAA Board and Board of Trustees and other key areas across campus.
- Weekly admin/compliance check-in meeting with MBB staff.
- Enhanced prospect visit monitoring by requiring pre-visit documentation and approval for unofficial visits and official visits.
- Increased monitoring of all complimentary admissions provided by student-athletes and coaches including monitoring use of sport staff personal tickets.
- In past years’ Athletics Compliance has made itself available, upon invitation from NCAA Enforcement Department, for goodwill meetings and access to our NCAA basketball and football staff members to assist NCAA Enforcement Department to better understand recruiting landscapes.
- Athletics Compliance staff has participated on multiple occasions as a panelist or guest speaker on compliance and eligibility best practices at national athletics compliance conventions and sports law workshops.
- Institution has exhausted time, energy, and resources to be exemplary in its cooperation and accessibility throughout investigation process.
- Documented history of reporting Level III NCAA violations
- Full cooperation with the FBI and SDNY including testifying in federal investigation/trial.
- Provide diverse, regular booster education including in game rules education, electronic newsletters, rules education reminders in Basketball/Football suites, rules education e-mails to boosters traveling with teams, and reminders to local businesses and services regarding eligibility ramifications for providing extra benefits to student-athletes.
- Established Cardinal Elite program to provide enhanced rules education to high profile student-athletes in all sports who have professional or Olympic sport potential in areas such as agents, extra benefits, prize money restrictions, and professional draft considerations.
- Compliance staff has set up permanent physical office in men's basketball facility.
- Compliance staff in daily (or more) communication with director of basketball operations.
- Video and noncoaching staff are included in monthly rules education.
- In-person rules education with each sport (including men's basketball) individually every other month.
- On alternating months, memoranda and quizzes for coaching and noncoaching staff for rules education.
Independent Accountability Resolution Process
The NCAA has granted the University of Louisville’s request to resolve its case regarding alleged violations in the men’s basketball program through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process. The university looks forward to the fair resolution of this matter.
See the Independent Accountability Resolution Process notice here.