NCAA denies Missouri’s appeal

The NCAA rejected an appeal by the University of Missouri to limit or overturn sanctions for infractions tied to the case of a former tutor, angering school officials and leaving in place postseason bans in three high-profile sports along with scholarship and recruiting restrictions.

The school had filed a 64-page brief to the NCAA’s appeals committee in March, arguing that the penalties handed down

Jan. 31 were contrary to precedent, not supported or appropriate given the nature of the allegations and could have a chilling effect on future NCAA enforcement.

The five-member NCAA infractions appeals committee rejected those assertions.

“The NCAA has proven once again that they cannot effectively serve its members and studentathletes they’re supposed to protect,” athletic director Jim Sterk said. “The decision is just wrong.”

The case in question dates to 2016, when tutor Yolanda Kumar acknowledged she had violated NCAA rules by doing course work and ensuring athletes in football, baseball and softball passed certain courses. The school immediately launched an investigation and self-imposed many penalties, hoping its proactive approach would curry favor when the NCAA rendered its punishment. The most immediate impact is that the football program, which needed to beat Arkansas on Friday to become bowl-eligible, will be staying home this postseason.

The school estimated its share of lost conference bowl revenue would be about $10 million.