Three large blocks of bold and italicized text greet you within the pages of the NCAA’s decision in the infractions case concerning recruiting violations around Miami’s women’s basketball program.
Yes, the NCAA found violations, headlined by the winningest head coach in program history (Katie Meier) facilitating impermissible contact between two prospective athletes (Fresno State transfers Haley and Hanna Cavinder) and a well-known Hurricanes booster (John Ruiz).
The penalties are rather minor: One year of probation. Tens of thousands of dollars. A handful of lost official visits, and some lost in-person recruiting days.
But the case was resolved with no penalties for the players involved. And no penalties for the booster with deep pockets who met with those players before they ultimately committed to the Hurricanes, either.
That last bit is what fans and administrators alike will focus on as they sift through the news of the Division I Committee on Infractions’ first NIL-adjacent decision to be resolved since relaxed NIL rules ushered in a new era of college sports. Many will feel that the light penalty will amount to nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
This is what compelled the Committee on Infractions to include the bolded and italicized passage. The three-person…
