President Shrum issues statement on NCAA basketball ruling

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

I am very disappointed by the NCAA Division 1 Infractions Appeals Committee’s decision to uphold a one-year ban on the postseason competition for our men’s basketball team this upcoming season.

From the briefings I received on this matter when I became President of Oklahoma State, the ban was excessive and did not align with the facts. We were right to appeal and thought we would receive fair consideration. The NCAA’s inconsistent standards and applications of penalties are a reflection of a broken system.

Our one-year postseason ban is excessive, especially considering our coaches and players were never involved with the rogue assistant coach who acted alone in violating the rules, as the evidence showed. Our appeal was about seeking a fair outcome from the NCAA and supporting our innocent coaches and players, who sadly will now pay the price.

Coach Boynton, his staff, and our players have returned our program to the national stage the right way — through hard work, dedication, and following the rules. Coach Boynton is outstanding and leads our program with the utmost integrity. We are proud of him and his players.

I am surprised the NCAA would turn their backs on principles of fairness, justice, and equality when considering what would have been an appropriate response to the facts.