Syracuse Women's Basketball Scandal: A Timeline of Events

What Happened?

In October 2022, the NCAA announced that it was investigating the Syracuse University women's basketball program for alleged violations of NCAA rules. The investigation centered on allegations that the program had engaged in unethical recruiting practices, including providing impermissible benefits to recruits.

The NCAA's investigation concluded in March 2023, with the NCAA finding that Syracuse had committed five Level I violations and one Level II violation. The Level I violations were the most serious and included allegations that the program had provided impermissible cash payments to recruits, offered jobs to recruits' parents, and falsified academic records.

The Fallout

The NCAA's findings led to a number of sanctions against the Syracuse women's basketball program, including a nine-game suspension for head coach Quentin Hillsman, a reduction in scholarships, and a ban on postseason play for the 2023-24 season.

The scandal also had a significant impact on the Syracuse University community. The university's reputation was damaged, and the athletic department faced increased scrutiny. The scandal also led to the resignation of Hillsman, who had been the head coach of the women's basketball program for 15 seasons.

The Lessons Learned

The Syracuse women's basketball scandal is a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in college athletics. The scandal also highlights the need for universities to have strong compliance programs in place to prevent and detect NCAA violations.

In the wake of the scandal, Syracuse University has taken a number of steps to strengthen its compliance program. The university has hired a new athletic director, John Wildhack, who has a strong track record of compliance. The university has also created a new compliance office and hired a full-time compliance officer.

The Syracuse women's basketball scandal is a cautionary tale for all universities. The scandal shows that even the most successful programs can be brought down by NCAA violations. Universities must be vigilant in their efforts to prevent and detect NCAA violations, and they must have strong compliance programs in place to protect the integrity of their athletic programs.