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Syracuse NCAA investigation: As ruling draws near, what we know and what we don't know
1. One of the potential violations NCAA investigators looked into involved academic impropriety with Feb Melo.
2. Part of the NCAA investigation involved potential impermissible benefits provided in connection to the Oneida YMCA. The NCAA looked into an internship program the YMCA ran and asked specifically about two YMCA employees, Hank Leo and Jeff Cornish.
3. Part of the NCAA investigation involved the school failing to follow its own policy regarding failed drug tests.
4. The investigation dates back years. Syracuse lawyers have been involved for at least seven years, and issues reach back more than a decade.
5. The potential punishments are significant if the hearing went poorly.
6. No current Syracuse athletes will have their eligibility impacted.
7. Syracuse isn't saying much right now but eventually will.
1. One of the potential violations NCAA investigators looked into involved academic impropriety with Feb Melo.
How do we know: Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said part of the NCAA's case involved the academics of Fab Melo in his book. The NCAA also invited multiple people formerly involved with Syracuse's academic support system to its hearing in Chicago, a group that included former director of basketball operations Stan Kissel, mentor Debora Belanger and tutor Kristie Smith.
What we don't know: The specifics of what happened with Melo, and if the issues were limited to Melo.
What we don't know: The specifics of what happened with Melo, and if the issues were limited to Melo.
2. Part of the NCAA investigation involved potential impermissible benefits provided in connection to the Oneida YMCA. The NCAA looked into an internship program the YMCA ran and asked specifically about two YMCA employees, Hank Leo and Jeff Cornish.
How do we know: Multiple sources acknowledged impermissible benefits were involved in the investigation. Multiple people were questioned about their experiences at the YMCA and were asked about Leo and Cornish. Leo, the current CEO of the Oneida YMCA, attended the hearing in Chicago.
What we don't know: If the alleged violations involved the internship program, other types of extra benefits or both. The specifics of the accusations.
What we don't know: If the alleged violations involved the internship program, other types of extra benefits or both. The specifics of the accusations.
3. Part of the NCAA investigation involved the school failing to follow its own policy regarding failed drug tests.
How do we know: Multiple sources have told Syracuse.com/The Post-Standard that drug testing was part of the investigation. Syracuse acknowledged in 2012 that an NCAA investigation involving potentially ignoring its drug policy was ongoing.
What we don't know: The specifics of the accusations. If/how many players competed while ineligible.
What we don't know: The specifics of the accusations. If/how many players competed while ineligible.
4. The investigation dates back years. Syracuse lawyers have been involved for at least seven years, and issues reach back more than a decade.
How do we know: Syracuse said in a statement after the hearing in Chicago that the statement went back "years." Sources were interviewed by school lawyers as early as 2007. They were asked about experiences dating back until at least 2003.
What we don't know: Exactly how far back the investigation goes.
What we don't know: Exactly how far back the investigation goes.
5. The potential punishments are significant if the hearing went poorly.
How do we know: The NCAA investigators went further than the organization's standard statute of limitations traditionally allows, indicating they are trying to show a pattern of "willful violation" of NCAA rules or "blatant disregard" for them. Cases of academic impropriety have historically been met with harsh punishments, with scholarship losses or postseason bans in 24 of 26 cases since 2000.
What we don't know: While we have an idea of what accusations and punishment the NCAA investigators might push for, we don't know what the NCAA Committee on Infractions has found actually has been committed.
What we don't know: While we have an idea of what accusations and punishment the NCAA investigators might push for, we don't know what the NCAA Committee on Infractions has found actually has been committed.
6. No current Syracuse athletes will have their eligibility impacted.
How do we know: Syracuse said in a statement that none of the violations involved current athletes.
What we don't know: If current athletes could be impacted by harsh punishments such as a postseason ban or scholarship losses.
What we don't know: If current athletes could be impacted by harsh punishments such as a postseason ban or scholarship losses.
7. Syracuse isn't saying much right now but eventually will.
How do we know: Syracuse officials left the hearing in Chicago without much comment and have been silent on the issue ever since. Athletic director Daryl Gross hasn't discussed the NCAA investigation. Neither has anyone in his administration. Football coach Scott Shafer has said he feels "great" about the place of the football program. Jim Boeheim told ESPN that "you'll want to hear" when he's permitted to address the issue.
What we don't know: What Boeheim, often outspoken, will eventually say about the process.
What we don't know: What Boeheim, often outspoken, will eventually say about the process.
