Statement from Kevin Quinn, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Regarding NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee Decision

“Today, the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee issued its decision in response to Syracuse University’s appeal of the sanctions imposed on the University on March 6, 2015. The University submitted its appeal on March 20, 2015.

“The appeal decision resulted in the reduction of a significant penalty. The Infractions Appeals Committee ruled that the University will gain back one men’s basketball scholarship per year over the next four years. This will result in a total reduction of 8 scholarships over 4 years (2 per year from 2015-16 through 2018-19), rather than 12.

“In addition, even before the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee issued its decision, the University won a significant victory by achieving a $1.23 million reduction in the financial penalty previously imposed. In formulating its appeal, the University discovered the NCAA Committee on Infractions had incorrectly penalized it by requiring the forfeiture of monies received from the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Committee on Infractions acknowledged the error and corrected its earlier decision by reducing the financial penalty.

“The University is pleased with these two positive outcomes resulting from our appeal. We strongly believed the original scholarship reduction penalty was too severe when compared to other infraction cases. Also, the scholarship reduction penalty directly impacts current and future student-athletes and their academic and athletic opportunities. We remain disappointed in the decision to vacate a significant amount of men’s basketball wins, a decision that was upheld.

“Although the appellate panel did not grant every one of our requests, it recognized there was merit in our appeal.  We simply sought to be judged according to the same standards as other institutions, and we did our best to achieve that goal. Regardless of today’s outcome, our top priority is to give our student-athletes the best possible education and teach them how to achieve their highest potential in the classroom and on the playing fields. We look forward to a bright future for all of our student-athletes and teams.”

More information about the University’s response to the March 2015 NCAA report can be found here. Further information about the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee Decision may be found at NCAA.org. In addition, today the NCAA indicated the decision on the appeal submitted by the Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim is pending.