There have been some pretty big violations reported to the NCAA this summer. From Tennessee self-reporting violations of them making impermissible calls to a basketball player that led to the student’s departure from the school to North Carolina being investigated for inequality for athletes and regular students, there have been some pretty serious violations reported.
Michigan State has now added their name to the list of schools committing recruiting violations, but the cause is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.
According to MLive, Michigan State co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett played a one-on-one basketball game with 2015 Spartan signee, Khari Willis, who was still a prospect at the time. The Spartans self-reported the Level III violation that occurred on August 7, 2014 to the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon.
To make matters worse, Barnett tore his Achilles tendon during the basketball game with Willis. Barnett joked about the situation, but also stated that he had no idea that a violation had occurred.
“I didn’t know it was a workout for him at the time,” Barnett said to MLive of the shortened pickup game with Willis, “but it was a workout for me, that’s for sure.”
NCAA Bylaw 13:11.2.3 states:
“A prospective student-athlete visiting a member institution may participate in physical workouts or other recreational activities during a visit to an institution’s campus, provided such activities:
(a) Are not organized or observed by members of the athletics department coaching staff; and
(b) Are not designed to test the athletics abilities of the prospective student-athlete.”
The NCAA needs to just let this violation go. The game didn’t last but for a few minutes and I couldn’t really count this a workout. The Spartans probably won’t get much flack for the violation, but honestly this shouldn’t be a violation at all.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
