LAS VEGAS—If you are a college coach or administrator, this is the last room you should want to be in, defending yourself against allegations of NCAA rules violations. Your career may be on the line. Your university may be facing harmful penalties.
Arrayed around a square table setting in a conference room at the J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa here are most of the 24 members of the NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions. This is the group that holds hearings on major infractions cases, issues rulings and administers sanctions. There are some major distinctions, but this is the college sports version of a courtroom and the people seated around the square are both judge and jury.
But the committee members themselves may also question their presence here. These are smart and accomplished people who are volunteering—as in, for free—their time and brainpower for what can be tedious and contentious work. Their rulings will inevitably be the object of scorn and derision from fans and media members. Their integrity and impartiality will be called into question. Complex decisions will be reduced to simplistic rationales. There is a chance they will personally receive insulting and threatening correspondence.
