WASHINGTON- Congressman Spencer Bachus announced today that the House Judiciary Committee has officially scheduled an oversight hearing regarding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Entitled “Due Process and the NCAA”, the hearing is set for 9:30 am (EST) on Tuesday, September 14th.
“The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) exercises a state-like authority over college athletics in this country, yet routinely denies procedural due process to those under investigation. With the incredibly high stakes involved in college athletics today, it is critical that the NCAA respect the basic rights of all those involved in its investigations. The NCAA’s repeated failure to adopt meaningful reforms that afford even the most basic due process makes it apparent that this problem will not be resolved by the NCAA unilaterally,” said Bachus.
Bachus continued, “American jurisprudence has taught that there are benefits that flow from providing due process over and above fairness to the accused. Due process also helps to assure the credibility of the decision imposed. Requiring the NCAA to play by the rules in affording due process in a more transparent manner is essential to restore public confidence in the NCAA and its decision making process.”
In May, at the request of Congressman Bachus, Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner agreed that the Judiciary Committee should investigate the NCAA and its lack of procedural due process that it offers to member institutions and athletes.
Bachus added that a list of confirmed witnesses will be announced by the Committee Chairman before the hearing next week.
###