Proposal would assure schools that cooperate fully in NCAA investigations avoid postseason ban

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Schools facing NCAA infractions cases could ensure they avoid postseason bans if they show “exemplary cooperation” with investigators under a proposal before the NCAA Division I Council.

The NCAA announced Thursday that the Division I board of directors infractions process committee had introduced that proposal. The proposal would define the term “exemplary cooperation” more clearly while establishing its impact on possible penalties.

The NCAA said that impact would include removing a postseason ban from the table for the majority of schools found to have demonstrated extensive cooperation.

The policy would take effect Aug. 1 if the council approves it in June.

“Full cooperation is already an expectation of all members of our association,” said Geoffrey S. Mearns, the president of Ball State University and chair of the committee that introduced the proposal. “But by providing specific information about how an institution can demonstrate exemplary cooperation, and by providing clear incentives for that cooperation, we will expedite the fair resolution of infractions cases, which remains a priority for all Division I members.”