NCAA issues two-week delay on vote for potential changes to sports-wagering reinstatement guidelines
There was hope in both Ames and Iowa City that several student-athletes would soon be reinstated from gambling suspensions, specifically, those who bet on their own school but not their own sport.
Instead, the wait marches on.
The Division I Council Coordination Committee announced Wednesday that it has delayed its vote on proposals for changes to athlete reinstatement related to sports gambling violations for two weeks, until Nov. 8. That means players like Iowa's Noah Shannon and Iowa State's DeShawn Hanika will not be active to start November as had previously been anticipated.
More: Iowa-Iowa State gambling: NCAA considering lesser penalties for betting-related suspensions
Jon Steinbrecher, chair of the coordination committee and commissioner at the Mid-American conference, offered up this statement with the announcement.
“The council agreed with commissioners earlier this month that the penalties for wagering violations in limited circumstances should be adjusted and the respective committees moved quickly to recommend possible changes," the statement read. "However, the CCA executive committee, today, requested a brief delay to allow more time for membership feedback on the proposed adjustment, and the coordination committee voted to honor that request. The coordination committee reemphasized the need for the Association to move deliberately and have in-depth conversations about the current wagering landscape.”
The NCAA's discussions centered on changes for punishments regarding athletes accused of betting on their own school but not their own sports. Previously, that had been a permanent loss of eligibility. An announcement saying changes would be considered came on Oct. 4, with a vote coming in late October.
The NCAA outlined a three-strike proposal to betting-related suspensions, one that seeks to "prioritize treatment and education over sanctions when integrity of competition is not in question." The proposals, as mentioned, are relevant only for student-athletes who bet on other teams − not their own.
Here is the proposed sequence of punishment, per the NCAA's release:
On a first offense, eliminate penalties that result in student-athletes being withheld from competition — regardless of the dollar value of the wagers and including bets placed on other sports at a student-athlete's school — and require education on sports wagering rules and prevention.
On a second offense, potentially involve withholding penalties, depending on the dollar value of the bet(s) in question.
On a third or subsequent offense, resulting penalty could be a loss of one full season of eligibility.
With Shannon and Hanika potentially benefitting from guideline changes, optimism existed that a resolution would be arriving soon. That did not happen Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: NCAA delays vote 2 weeks on potential changes to gambling guidelines
