College sports in the United States are not only a major source of entertainment and school pride but also a hotbed for controversy and scandal.
From improper benefits to academic fraud and bribery, these scandals have at times threatened the integrity of collegiate athletics. This article delves into some of the most notorious and impactful scandals in college sports history, highlighting the actions, consequences, and ongoing discussions they have ignited.
20. NC State’s Dennis Smith Jr. Payment Allegations
NC State faced NCAA allegations in 2019 regarding the recruitment of Dennis Smith Jr. The NCAA claimed a former assistant coach facilitated a $40,000 payment to Smith’s family. Despite the serious accusations, NC State ultimately avoided a postseason ban when penalties were handed down in 2021.
19. Kansas’ Adidas Payments Controversy
In 2017, Kansas basketball became embroiled in an FBI investigation into Adidas’ alleged payments to recruits. Former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola testified to paying $90,000 to the family of Billy Preston and $2,500 to Silvio De Sousa’s guardian. Despite the controversy, Kansas and coach Bill Self largely avoided severe NCAA penalties in 2023.
18. Miami’s Nevin Shapiro Booster Scandal
Nevin Shapiro, a Miami booster, provided approximately $170,000 in impermissible benefits to athletes between 2002-2010. His actions led to NCAA sanctions, including scholarship reductions and probation for Miami. In 2024, President Biden commuted Shapiro’s 20-year sentence for his $930 million Ponzi scheme.
17. Auburn’s Chuck Person Bribery Scheme
Former Auburn assistant coach Chuck Person accepted $91,500 in bribes to steer players towards certain financial advisors. In 2019, Person pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges but avoided prison time. Auburn self-imposed sanctions, including a postseason ban for the 2020-21 season, in response to the scandal.
16. Oklahoma State’s Lamont Evans Corruption Case
In 2017, Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans was arrested for accepting bribes to steer players to certain financial advisors. Evans pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, receiving $22,000 in bribes. The NCAA banned Oklahoma State from the 2022 NCAA Tournament as a result of the scandal.
15. Arizona’s Book Richardson Bribery Scandal
In 2017, Arizona assistant coach Emanuel “Book” Richardson was arrested for accepting $20,000 in bribes to steer players to certain agents. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit bribery and served three months in prison. The scandal led to his firing and damaged Arizona’s basketball program reputation.
14. USC’s O.J. Mayo Improper Benefits Case
In 2008, USC basketball star O.J. Mayo was accused of receiving improper benefits, including cash and gifts, during his recruitment and one-year college career. The scandal led to heavy sanctions for USC, including forfeited victories, postseason bans, and recruiting restrictions. Mayo denied wrongdoing, but the incident highlighted the dark side of college basketball recruiting.
13. UConn’s Recruiting Violations and Booster Payments
In 2019, UConn’s men’s basketball program faced NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations under former coach Kevin Ollie. The team received two years of probation and Ollie was individually sanctioned. Earlier, in 2010, UConn admitted to illegal recruiting practices and self-imposed sanctions. These incidents tarnished the program’s reputation and led to significant financial penalties.
12. Georgia’s Academic Fraud Under Jim Harrick
In 2003, Georgia’s basketball program was rocked by academic fraud allegations involving head coach Jim Harrick and his son, assistant coach Jim Harrick Jr. Players received high grades for a course they didn’t attend, taught by Harrick Jr. The scandal led to Harrick’s resignation, his son’s firing, and four years of probation for the program.
11. St. Bonaventure’s Player Eligibility Fraud
In 2003, St. Bonaventure admitted Jamil Terrell with a welding certificate instead of the required associate’s degree. The scandal led to the resignation of president Robert Wickenheiser, firing of coach Jan van Breda Kolff, and players boycotting the final two games. The NCAA imposed probation, postseason ban, and scholarship reductions.
10. Kentucky’s Point-Shaving Scandal of 1951
The 1951 point-shaving scandal rocked college basketball, implicating 32 players from seven schools in 86 fixed games across 17 states. Kentucky, the reigning NCAA champion, saw three star players arrested for fixing games. The scandal led to lifetime NBA bans for those involved and prompted new anti-corruption measures in college sports.
9. Memphis and Derrick Rose’s SAT Controversy
In 2009, Memphis faced allegations that star player Derrick Rose had someone else take his SAT. The NCAA invalidated Rose’s test score, leading to Memphis vacating its entire 2007-2008 season, including 38 wins and a Final Four appearance. Rose denied the accusations, but the controversy tarnished his college legacy.
8. Minnesota’s Academic Fraud Scandal
In 1999, the University of Minnesota basketball program was rocked by widespread academic fraud. A tutor admitted to writing over 400 papers for at least 18 players from 1993 to 1998. The scandal led to the resignation of head coach Clem Haskins, four years of NCAA probation, and the erasure of records from 1993 to 1998.
7. Baylor’s Murder and Cover-Up Scandal
In 2003, Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy was murdered by teammate Carlton Dotson. Head coach Dave Bliss attempted to cover up NCAA violations by portraying Dennehy as a drug dealer. The scandal led to Bliss’s resignation, probation for the program, and significant penalties imposed by the NCAA.
6. UNC’s Decades-Long Academic Fraud
From 1993 to 2011, UNC offered hundreds of “paper classes” with little to no instruction, primarily benefiting athletes. The scandal involved unauthorized grade changes and forged faculty signatures. Despite the academic fraud, the NCAA found no violations of its rules in 2017, citing lack of oversight authority in university academics.
5. Syracuse’s Academic Fraud and Improper Benefits
Syracuse University faced severe NCAA sanctions in 2015 for academic fraud and improper benefits spanning a decade. The violations included staff members completing coursework for athletes, violating drug testing policies, and providing over $8,000 in cash to players for volunteering at a local YMCA. These infractions resulted in vacated wins, scholarship reductions, and a nine-game suspension for head coach Jim Boeheim.
4. Michigan’s Fab Five Booster Payments
The University of Michigan’s “Fab Five” era was tarnished by a booster scandal involving Ed Martin. He paid $616,000 to Chris Webber and three other players from 1988 to 1999. The scandal led to vacated wins, forfeited championships, and NCAA sanctions. In 2021, with NIL rules allowing player compensation, the incident sparked renewed discussions about amateurism in college sports.
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3. Southern Methodist University’s Death Penalty
SMU received the harshest punishment in NCAA history in 1987 – the “death penalty.” The football program was suspended for the entire 1987 season due to extensive recruiting violations and player payments. This scandal led to long-lasting repercussions, with SMU struggling to regain its former football prominence for decades.
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2. Louisville’s Strippers and Escorts Scandal
From 2010 to 2014, Louisville’s basketball program was embroiled in a scandal involving strippers and escorts at on-campus parties for recruits. Former assistant coach Andre McGee allegedly paid for these services, leading to NCAA violations. The scandal resulted in Louisville vacating its 2013 national championship and facing severe penalties.
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1. The 2017-18 FBI Investigation
The FBI’s two-year probe into college basketball corruption led to arrests of 10 individuals, including assistant coaches from top programs. Wiretaps and undercover agents exposed a vast network of illegal payments to recruits, implicating schools like Louisville, Kansas, and Arizona. The scandal rocked the NCAA and resulted in multiple firings and program sanctions.
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