Syracuse basketball self-imposes one-year post-season ban

Syracuse University (SU) announced it has self-imposed a post-season ban on the men’s basketball team for this season in response to the NCAA investigation into the program. It means the Orange will not play in the upcoming ACC Tournament, or the NIT or NCAA Tournament following that. Here is the full text of the SU release posted on its athletics website at about 5:30 Wednesday afternoon:

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Syracuse University today announced that it previously notified the NCAA that it has instituted a self-imposed post-season ban for the men’s basketball 2014-15 season as part of its case pending before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

The University initiated the case when it self-reported potential violations within the Athletics Department to the NCAA in 2007. Much of the conduct involved in the case occurred long ago and none occurred after 2012. No current student-athlete is involved. In addition, beginning in 2007, the University took a series of actions to reform and strengthen existing policies and procedures, implement a series of best practices, and realign and improve a range of student-athlete support services.

The University appeared before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in October 2014 and has continued to cooperatively engage with the Committee. As a further means of acknowledging past mistakes, the University notified the NCAA that it will be voluntarily withholding the men’s basketball team from post-season competition following the current 2014-15 season. This one-year ban includes the ACC Tournament and any additional post-season tournaments such as the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament and the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). This action is accompanied by other self-imposed penalties the University also instituted and which the NCAA Committee on Infractions will make public when it issues its final report.
 
Chancellor Kent Syverud said, “Syracuse’s history demonstrates a strong commitment to integrity, responsibility and fairness—values I have personally observed in practice many times since becoming Chancellor last year. The University has taken this matter seriously and worked with the NCAA for nearly eight years to investigate and address potential rules violations. The process has been exhaustive. We have taken responsibility for past violations and worked hard to ensure they are not repeated. I am disappointed for our current men’s basketball players who must shoulder this post-season ban. I also recognize that not participating in post-season play will be disappointing for many in the University community and to all Orange supporters.  However, we look forward to moving past this matter and I am confident the men’s basketball program will be strong and successful both on the court and in the classroom in the years ahead.”
 
Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross said, “This has been a long process and while this is a tough decision it is in the best interest of the Athletics Department and the University. My greatest disappointment is for the players who will be affected by this outcome even though they were not involved. I am also mindful of the passionate and loyal members of Orange Nation who look forward to post-season play. In the end, I am confident our program will continue to compete at the highest national level and remain strong.”
 
Men’s Head Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim said, “I am very disappointed that our basketball team will miss the opportunity to play in the post-season this year. Senior Rakeem Christmas has been an outstanding member of the team for the past four years. However, I supported this decision and I believe the University is doing the right thing by acknowledging that past mistakes occurred. Our players have faced adversity and challenges before. I know they will rise to this challenge by keeping our program strong and continuing to make our University proud.” 
 
Newly-appointed Faculty Athletics Representative and Falk Distinguished Professor of Sport Management Rick Burton said, “Every Division I program faces challenges and while this is a tough decision for the University and its students, faculty, staff and fans, it helps to close this particular chapter and allows us to focus on the future.”
 
As the NCAA case has not yet concluded, per NCAA bylaws the University is unable to provide additional details or comment further at this time.