The Oklahoma State Cowboys football team has been ineligible for postseason play for the 2020 season. This decision was made by the NCAA due to a variety of violations the university committed from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2019. In this article, we will discuss the details of the violations, the NCAA’s decision, and the effect it could have on the future of the university’s football program.
Oklahoma State’s NCAA Violations
The NCAA found that Oklahoma State committed a number of violations during the time period in question. These violations included:
• Improper recruiting activities by the coaching staff
• Academic fraud
• Providing benefits to student athletes beyond those allowed by NCAA regulations
• Failing to monitor the activities of the football staff
• Failing to ensure the integrity of the football program
The NCAA also found that Oklahoma State had failed to adequately respond to the allegations and was not cooperative during the investigation.
The NCAA’s Decision
After reviewing the evidence, the NCAA concluded that Oklahoma State had committed multiple violations of NCAA regulations and imposed a wide range of sanctions on the university.
The sanctions included:
• A two-year postseason ban
• A reduction in the number of scholarships available for the next two years
• A reduction in the number of coaches allowed to recruit
• A fine of $10 million
• A requirement for the university to develop and implement a comprehensive compliance program
• A five-year probationary period
The Effect on the Future of Oklahoma State’s Football Program
The NCAA’s decision to impose a two-year postseason ban on Oklahoma State has had a significant effect on the university’s football program. Without the possibility of participating in the postseason, the team’s ability to compete at the highest level has been severely hampered.
The reduction in scholarships and coaching staff has also had a negative impact on the team’s ability to recruit and retain top talent. This has made it more difficult for the team to remain competitive in the Big 12 conference.
The fine of $10 million has been another setback for the university. This money will have to be used to fund the new compliance program as well as any other related costs. This will put a strain on the university’s budget and could have a negative effect on other athletic programs.
Conclusion
The NCAA’s decision to make Oklahoma State ineligible for postseason play has had a significant effect on the university’s football program. The sanctions have hindered the team’s ability to compete at the highest level and have placed a strain on the university’s budget. It remains to be seen how the university will respond to these sanctions and if the football program can find a way to remain competitive in the future.