Introduction
A local newspaper highlighted the case that involved unethical conduct and the violation of some bylaws of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Walker, Seifried, and Soebbing (2018) note that cases of misconduct tend to have adverse effects on institutions on different levels, so it is essential to investigate each occurrence in a timely manner. Institutions should consider the cases and develop effective policies to ensure that violations will not take place in the future. This paper includes a brief analysis of the major instances of misconduct and particular bylaws breached by a student-athlete.
Violated Bylaws
One of the primary concerns associated with the case under consideration is the fact that the student-athlete, Joe Kane, violated one of the basic bylaws that could be regarded as a pillar of college sports. The student proved to be uninterested in pursuing any academic goals but focused on his future career as an athlete. This conduct is a direct violation of Bylaw 14.01.2 that focuses on the academic status of student-athletes (NCAA, 2018).
The regulation holds that these individuals should “maintain progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree” (NCAA, 2018, p. 159). It is clear that Kane paid little attention to his potential degree as he was ready to leave his studies and become a professional player. The status of college sports is questioned in this case as some students see college sports as a way to start a career in professional sports rather than an extracurricular activity facilitating their academic progress.
Eitzen (2016) notes that the lack of focus on education is quite common for US collegiate sports. The researcher notes that student-athletes often choose the least challenging courses and switch majors to ensure that they have the necessary score to remain eligible for their status. Joe Kane is an illustration of extreme indifference towards studies and pursuing a degree, which is still the primary goal of collegiate sports. Eitzen (2016) claims that the cases when student-athletes left their colleges to start a professional career in a sport remain rather frequent.
Another serious violation was associated with Kane’s amateur status. According to Bylaw 12.1.2, a student-athlete loses their amateur status when they enter an agreement with an agent (NCAA, 2018). Although Kane and the agent did not sign any contracts, they still agreed to perform certain actions under some circumstances. Thus, the agent promised to represent the student-athlete if he decided to leave his educational facility, which can be regarded as an agreement between a student and an agent.
It is noteworthy that this breach is closely related to disclosure issues. The student-athlete had a private conversation with the agent, so their agreement could remain secret for a long time. The people who might have known about this conversation had to disclose this information in accordance with Bylaw 10.1(g) (NCAA, 2018). According to the provisions of this bylaw, student-athletes or staff were to provide “complete and accurate information” regarding student-athletes ‘ amateur status (NCAA, 2018, p. 45). Therefore, it is important to pay attention to students and faculty’s commitment to the principles of fairness and honesty.
Another bylaw closely related to the one mentioned above was also violated. According to Bylaw 12.3.1, student-athletes become ineligible for intercollegiate sports if they agree “orally or in writing” to be represented by agents (NCAA, 2018, p. 71).
In the case under study, the oral agreement that involved a student and an agent took place. Bylaw 12.2.1.2 is specifically applicable to the case in question as the student-athlete loses their status even if they negotiate for future representation that can take place after the completion of their eligibility (NCAA, 2018). Kane concentrated on future collaboration with the agent, but he still violated the bylaw that saw this kind of conduct as unethical. The meeting with an agent resulted in the violation of several NCAA bylaws.
According to Bylaw 12.3.1.3, student-athletes may lose their status if they accept some benefits from an agent (NCAA, 2018). The fact that the agent paid for the dinner can also be regarded as a violation of a bylaw. The bill the agent paid for can be seen as a kind of benefit even though the amount provided is not very high. It is necessary to draw people’s attention to this detail as well since it can serve as a caution for other student-athletes. These individuals should be very attentive and make sure they are not given any benefits in any form as this can have adverse effects on their reputation and even future academic life or career.
Recommendations
In view of the above said, it is important to investigate the case in detail and try to introduce new policies that would enhance student-athletes commitment to the principles outlined by the NCAA. Apart from the direct benefits for the reputation of the university and its organizational culture, the investigation and self-reporting will help in avoiding sanction from the NCAA. Smith and Cho (2017) argue that such activities are associated with milder or no sanctions imposed by the NCAA as compared to facilities’ inability to provide information or especially their attempts to conceal data.
It is also critical to initiate large-scale research concerning student-athletes unethical conduct, which will help in the development of effective instruments and strategies aimed at addressing these issues. This analysis should involve such stakeholders as students, coaches, administration, faculty, as well as agents, and sports organizations. These people’s perspectives on the existing challenges and possible solutions should be elicited. New standards and policies should be based on the findings of this study.
An important step can be the focus of ethical leadership that is associated with a cascading effect (Burton & Peachey, 2014). Burton and Peachey (2014) note that the ethical conduct of leaders and their ability to encourage and punish contributes to the creation of an ethical environment in an organization. Such cases reveal the flaws in the process of the creation of the appropriate academic environment for student-athletes. Some young people still see collegiate sports as a way to become successful professional athletes. Their views do not change even after they commence their academic life at colleges and other educational establishments.
Conclusion
All in all, it is possible to note that the case in question unveils some ways NCAA bylaws can be violated. A thorough analysis of Kane’s conduct and the implementation of a detailed study concerning other cases of NCAA bylaws violations will help BSU to address some issues plaguing collegiate sports. The focus on ethical leadership can be beneficial for the university as it will decrease the number of such cases and have a positive effect on the reputation of the establishment.
References
Burton, L., & Peachey, J. W. (2014). Ethical leadership in intercollegiate sport: Challenges, opportunities, future directions. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 7(1), 1-10. Web.
Eitzen, D. S. (2016). Fair and foul: Beyond the Myths and Paradoxes of Sport (6th ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
NCAA. (2018). NCAA 2018-19 Division I manual. Web.
Smith, J. R., & Cho, S. (2017). An outcome determinant analysis of NCAA rules violations: An application of multivariate statistics to the committee on infractions’ decisions on major cases. Journal of Global Sport Management, 2(1), 1-21. Web.
Walker, K. B., Seifried, C. S., & Soebbing, B. P. (2018). The National Collegiate Athletic Association as a social-control agent: Addressing misconduct through organizational layering. Journal of Sport Management, 32(1), 53-71. Web.