If a student-athlete, college coach, or team staff member is alleged to have broken an NCAA rule, then the person or team can face various forms of NCAA suspensions. NCAA suspensions can often feel unfair and can lead to disputes about what type of suspension is appropriate, if any. If you are facing an NCAA-related suspension or have already been suspended, then it is important to act quickly. Time is not on your side when dealing with an NCAA suspension dispute. If you have legal questions related to NCAA rules and regulations, then it is important to speak to an experienced NCAA attorney as soon as possible.
What is an NCAA Suspension?
An NCAA suspension is a suspension that is handed down to a student-athlete, coach, or athletic program in response to alleged NCAA rules violations. A student-athlete can face suspension, as can a coach, staff member, or other associated people with the team. If the alleged infractions are big enough, it can lead to an entire sports program at an NCAA-member school being suspended. Suspensions can last for a specified period of time or can be based on competition dates.
Why Might a Student-Athlete Face a Suspension?
A student-athlete can be suspended from his or her collegiate team for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons why a student-athlete will get suspended from his or her team include.
- Conduct detrimental to the team
- Failed drug testing
- Academic ineligibility
- Athletic ineligibility
- School code of conduct charges
- Title IX sexual misconduct allegations
- Alleged criminal activity
This is a partial list of reasons why a student-athlete can be suspended from his or her collegiate team. If you are a student-athlete who is facing a suspension from your team, then it is important to understand what potential appeal options you may have. All of the listed reasons can also result in an athlete being dismissed altogether. If a student-athlete is accused of violating an NCAA rule, then he or she will go before a Committee on Infractions panel for a determination to be made whether a rule was broken. If the panel determines an NCAA rule was violated, then they will also determine what type of penalty that should be imposed.
Can a Student-Athlete Appeal a Suspension?
Yes, a student-athlete has the right to appeal a suspension handed down by an NCAA infractions committee panel. Any appeal of a suspension must be made to the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee. The committee is made up of seven members, two of which are from the general public and are not connected to any school, conference, sports program, or athletes. Appeals are limited to the information originally presented at a student-athlete's panel hearing. The purpose of an appeal is to determine whether the panel who decided on the case followed NCAA rules and the law appropriately. Appeals are not a time to bring in new issues, and special permission must be given by the NCAA to present any new evidence at an appeal hearing. The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee can decide to affirm the panel's finding, reverse the panel's finding, and/or remand the case for various reasons back to the panel.
Have You Been Suspended from School or Competition?
If you have been suspended from school or athletic competition, then it is important to know that your time to contest your suspension is limited. If you are facing a suspension, then the proper defense can help you avoid being suspended at all. Depending on the timing of your suspension, you may be required to miss competition or even championship games. If you want to avoid consequences like this, you will have to file a timely appeal in writing and be ready to make an oral argument in front of the Infractions Appeals Committee to have a chance at having your suspension reduced or reversed. The decision made by the Infractions Appeals Committee will be final and cannot be reviewed or appealed in any way by any other authority. The decision of the Infractions Appeals Committee must be in writing and delivered to the student-athlete petitioner.
How an Attorney Can Help
An experienced attorney can help you with a suspension in many ways. If the facts and circumstances of your suspension are in dispute, then your attorney can coordinate an investigation to look for new evidence, which may help clear up what did or did not happen. An attorney can also give you appropriate advice about what your chances are to win your case when defending against a potential suspension.
The potential of negotiating to reduce your suspension may be available. This may help you regain eligibility in time for collegiate competition if the circumstances allow. No two situations are the same, so it is important that you have an attorney specifically assess your case and not just make assumptions based on other cases. Having the right attorney to help you can be the difference in whether you are ultimately suspended or not. If you have legal questions, then call attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm so we can help!
Why Hiring the Lento Law Firmis the Right Choice
If you are an NCAA student-athlete who is facing suspension, then it is important to seek the advice of an experienced attorney. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of student-athletes across the country maintain or regain their eligibility. Call us today at 888-535-3686 to learn why hiring the Lento Law Firm is the right choice to help you with your case.
