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College Athletes and NCAA Violations
Author(s) -
Winfree Jason A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
criminology and public policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.6
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1745-9133
pISSN - 1538-6473
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-9133.2012.00850.x
Subject(s) - kinesiology , athletes , citation , library science , sociology , computer science , medicine , medical education , physical therapy
Sports are used frequently as a window to examine society. Because of unique data sets, sports allow researchers to test human behavior, and in recent years, sports have been used to show when discrimination, collusion, and cheating are likely to occur. Cullen, Latessa, and Jonson (2012, this issue) use data on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) infractions to investigate how often and why college athletes break NCAA rules. Cullen et al. categorize these infractions as infractions while they were being recruited by the university and infractions that were committed after they enrolled in college. They find that whereas major NCAA infractions are rare, minor infractions happen somewhat frequently. Their results provide valuable insights into the causes of rule infractions, and the results may be useful in designing policies in a broader context. The data used in the study enable the researchers to test the frequency as well as possible causes of athlete infractions. Weak evidence exists in favor of a variety of existing theories, but some consistent results are found. If athletes clearly can gain from committing an infraction, if their friends are getting away with committing infractions, and if the moral costs are perceived as being inconsequential, then athletes are more likely to break the rules. In other words, if the benefits clearly outweigh the costs, then the main barrier that stops infractions is the athlete’s own moral compass. Furthermore, many athletes do not feel a moral obligation to follow all the rules, and some feel entitled to benefits that are prohibited. Therefore, athletes in large revenue-generating sports, such as football and men’s basketball, commit minor infractions regularly. A somewhat unique aspect of NCAA rules is why they exist. Even the casual observer of college sports knows that college sports have become big business and that revenues have been increasing at a rapid rate over the past couple of decades. Yet, any financial benefits to the athletes are restricted. The NCAA claims that their rules are in place to keep athletes amateurs and that these rules are in the best interest of the athletes. However, as Humphreys (2012, this issue) says, this seems peculiar because these rules prohibit monetary transfers