The 1973 NCSU men’s basketball team was the only one in NCAA history to go undefeated and not win the National Championship. The reason why is simple — they were on probation that year and were not allowed to enter into post-season play. As the years go by, fan’s memories get fuzzy as to the actual findings of the NCAA and why NCSU was put on probation. This article is the text of the NCAA Infraction Committee’s results, and makes for interesting reading from a historical perspective.
1972 NCAA Investigation Findings, NCSU
WHEREAS, the NCAA Committee on infractions has investigated alleged violations of the Association’s legislation on the part of North Carolina State University and has reported its findings to the NCAA Council;
WHERAS, the Council has found North Carolina State University to have violated the provisions governing recruiting [NCAA Bylaw l-l-(a)], in that:
1. While working at a summer job during the period July 31 – August 6, 1971, a prospective student-athlete stayed cost-free in a University dormitory room which was utilized at that time to house counselors in the summer basketball camp operated by the University’s head basketball coach.
2. On August 6, 1971, a prospective student-athlete was transported cost-free from the University’s campus (site of a summer camp) to his hometown in an automobile used in the summer basketball camp operated by the University’s head basketball coach.
WHEREAS, the Council has found North Carolina State University to have violated the provisions governing recruiting [NCAA Bylaws l-l-(a) and 1-3], in that:
1. During the summer 1970, three prospective student-athletes served as counselors in the summer basketball camp operated by the University’s head basketball coach; these three young men had just completed their senior years in high school and therefore were ineligible to serve as counselors under the Association’s summer camp interpretations;
WHEREAS, the Council has found North Carolina State University to have violated the provisions governing recruiting [NCAA Bylaws l-l-(a), l-5-(b) and l-5-(c)], in that:
1. On June 13, 1971, a prospective student-athlete was transported to the University’s campus by a representative of the University’s athletic interests in order to attend freshman orientation. This was the second visit at the expense of a University athletic representative. After it was determined that he was not eligible for the orientation, he remained on the campus for five days staying cost-free in a dormitory room which was utilized at that time to house counselors in the summer basketball camp operated by the University’s head basketball coach.
WHEREAS, the Council has found North Carolina State University to have violated the provisions governing recruiting [NCAA Bylaws l-5-(b) and l-1-(h)], in that:
1. During August 1970, a representative of the University’s athletic interests transported a prospective student-athlete between his home and the institution’s campus, and was reimbursed by the University for the cost of this transportation.
2. During May 1971, a representative of the University’s athletic interests transported three prospective student-athletes between their homes and the institution’s campus, and was reimbursed by the University for the cost of this transportation.
WHEREAS, the Council has found North Carolina State University to have violated the provisions governing recruiting [NCAA Bylaw 1-3], in that:
1. During the period August 1-6, 1971, an assistant basketball coach participated in at least one informal basketball game with five prospective student-athletes during which these young men revealed, demonstrated and displayed their abilities in the sport of basketball,
WHEREAS, the Council has found North Carolina State University to have violated the provisions governing recruiting [NCAA Bylaw l-6-(a)], in that:
1. During the summer 1970, the University awarded financial assistance to two prospective student-athletes in order for the young men to attend the second session of the institution’s summer school.
WHEREAS, the Council has concluded that the University’s head basketball coach and an assistant coach were in a position to prohibit or avoid several of these violations;
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes that a member institution is responsible for any actions of its athletic representatives in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
WHEREAS, the Council has noted the consideration given to this case by the commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference; believes that his efforts give meaning to the cooperative principles and philosophy of the NCAA enforcement program, and has appropriately considered them in arriving at its conclusions;
WHEREAS, the Council has noted that the NCAA’s findings in this case include violations in addition to those considered by the Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner;
WHEREAS, the Council also supports and is directed by the NCAA policy which provides that in cases of serious and numerous violations, the NCAA should take punitive action;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council reprimand and censure North Carolina State University and place the institution on probation for a period of one year from this date (October 24, 1972), it being understood that prior to the expiration of this probationary period the NCAA Committee on Infractions shall review the athletic policies and practices of the institution;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that during the period of this probation, the University’s intercollegiate basketball team shall end its season with the playing of the last, regularly-scheduled, inseason game and it shall not be eligible to participate in any postseason basketball competition;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that record be made of the excellent assistance and cooperation extended to the NCAA and its Committee on Infractions by North Carolina State University and the commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
