NCAA Penalizes UW-Madison Football Program for Recruiting Violations
MADISON, Wis. — The NCAA Committee on Infractions has imposed sanctions on the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) following a series of impermissible communications between football coaches and recruits. The investigation revealed that, in 2023, nine members of the football coaching staff made a total of 139 unauthorized calls to 48 recruits, including 117 calls before the allowable contact period.
Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell contributed nine of these calls. The violations were classified as Level II, indicating a significant breach of recruitment regulations.
In a statement, a Wisconsin Athletics spokesperson emphasized the university’s commitment to integrity and accountability. "The issue at hand occurred two years ago under a rule that was actively being changed and no longer exists," the spokesperson stated. "We identified the mistake and were proactive in self-reporting and resolving the issue."
UW-Madison reported the violations in January 2024 and imposed self-penalties, including a three-week ban on recruiting communications for the football staff. In response to the infractions, the NCAA placed the program on one year of probation and fined the university $25,000. Additionally, Coach Fickell and assistant coach Matt Mitchell are prohibited from contacting high school recruits from June 15-21.
Former assistant Greg Scruggs, who made 71 of the unauthorized calls, and former director of player personnel Max Stienecker, responsible for 19 calls, received one-year show-cause penalties.
This incident marks the university’s first major infraction since the notorious 2000 Shoe Box scandal, which resulted in 26 player suspensions for accepting improper discounts. The NCAA had placed UW-Madison on five years’ probation following that scandal.
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