Authors
Kathryn Shea – Fisher College
Lawrence Fielding – Indiana University
Abstract
This study examined compliance with two NCAA DI recruitment rules by tying essential features of the rules to direct outcomes to evaluate the influence of the rules on compliance. The public reports of major infractions cases from 1952 to 2010 were analyzed and data was collected on past compliance, self-reporting, and enforcement for violations of NCAA DI recruitment rules prohibiting the use of inducements in the sport of men’s basketball. A Mann-Whitney U Test was utilized to test the influence of NCAA reforms on compliance. Results indicated no significant change in compliance after reforms were implemented. Trends in self-reporting and enforcement shed light into how and why the reforms failed to improve compliance. Finally, theoretical scripts on compliance were applied to explain past experience with NCAA rules. This study provides evidence that NCAA rules do not function to support compliance and offers practical insight to athletics administrators into regulatory considerations to improve future policymaking.
