Iowa State Athletics Reveals Probe Into Players Gambling, Violating NCAA Rules
On the same day that reports emerged about the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission launching an investigation into the University of Iowa baseball team, the Iowa State athletics department released a statement saying that it has been made aware of allegations against members of the school’s football, wrestling and track and field teams over online sports wagers that are in violation of NCAA rules.
“Iowa State University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is aware of online sports wagering allegations involving approximately 15 of our active student-athletes from the sports of football, wrestling and track and field in violation of NCAA rules,” the statement read, per Chris Williams of Cyclone Fanatic. “The university has notified the NCAA and will take the appropriate actions to resolve these issues.”
The school declined to disclose any additional details, or the nature of the NCAA rules violations.
The Iowa baseball team is being investigated after multiple players were suspended for a recent series against Ohio State. As many as four players were held out, per Kyle Huesmann of On3: infielder Keaton Anthony, pitcher Jacob Henderson, catcher Ben Tallman and redshirt freshman Gehrig Christensen. The school did not go into detail regarding the reason for the suspensions, other than alluding to a “potential NCAA violation.”
Last week, the Alabama baseball program fired head coach Brad Bohannon after he was implicated in suspicious betting activity. Bohannon was reportedly on the phone with an Ohio bettor while he made the decision to scratch star pitcher Luke Holman in a game against LSU. As a result of the investigation, multiple states instructed sportsbooks to halt wagers involving the Alabama baseball program.
