Saginaw Valley State Punished for 137 Violations in 15 Sports

Saginaw Valley State's athletic department determined 137 cases of "violations of amateurism and eligibility certification" across 15 sports

Saginaw Valley State's athletic department improperly certified 130 student-athletes from 2013-14 through 2017-18, which has resulted in 137 cases of "violations of amateurism and eligibility certification" across 15 sports, the NCAA ruled last week.

Saginaw Valley State, which is a Division II program, self-reported its violations. The NCAA has placed the school on probation until Feb. 6, 2023 and charged a $5,000 fine.

Saginaw Valley State permitted ineligible student-athletes to compete in 80 of the cited instances, perThe Detroit News.

"Weaknesses in SVSU's athletics compliance program caused a breakdown in SVSU's eligibility certification process over a multiyear period resulting in numerous student-athletes being erroneously certified," the NCAA's report said. "Between the academic years of 2013-14 through 2017-18, several factors, including frequent turnover, communication breakdowns and a lack of time combined to weaken SVSU's eligibility certification process."

Football was among the sports program which committed a violation. All records earned during the four-year period in question will all be vacated. Saginaw Valley State will not be able to appeal the violations.