Hampton University Placed on Probation Following NCAA Investigation

HAMPTON, VA—Hampton University has been placed on three years of probation following an NCAA investigation into improper student-athlete certification. The probation period, which runs from December 18, 2024, to December 17, 2027, is part of a negotiated resolution between the university and the NCAA.

The investigation revealed multiple certification violations involving 80 student-athletes across 12 sports from the 2021-22 through 2023-24 academic years. In 2021-22 and 2022-23, Hampton allowed four football student-athletes to compete without satisfactory completion of semester hours. In 2022-23, a football transfer was allowed to compete without completing 24 semester hours at the previous school. In 2021-22 and 2022-23, six football players competed in the opening four games without completing nine semester hours in the previous term. In 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, six football players competed without completing the NCAA percentage-of-degree requirements. In 2022-23, one football player did not designate a program of study by the start of their junior year (fifth full semester).

The infractions stemmed from staffing reductions in Hampton’s compliance department due to the financial impact of COVID-19. The NCAA classified the violations as Level I with a mitigated designation.

Sanctions include:

• A $30,000 fine.
• A 1% budget reduction for men’s basketball, women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track and field.
• Vacating team and individual records, including wins, from all sports where ineligible athletes competed.

…the institution shall vacate all regular season and conference tournament wins, records and participation in which the ineligible student-athletes competed from the time they became ineligible through the time they were reinstated as eligible for competition…Further, the institution’s records regarding the affected sport programs, as well as the records of the head coaches, shall reflect the vacated records and be recorded in all publications in which such records are reported, including, but not limited to, institutional media guides, recruiting material, electronic and digital media plus institutional, conference and NCAA archives. Any institution that may subsequently hire the affected head coaches shall similarly reflect the vacated wins in their career records documented in media guides and other publications cited above.”

NCAA’s Negotiated Resolution of Hampton University – Case No. 020292

Hampton’s football program, led by head coach Robert Prunty, recorded 5-6 seasons in 2021 and 2023 and a 4-7 season in 2022. Wins during these seasons will be vacated where ineligible players participated.

This case highlights the critical importance of compliance oversight in maintaining the integrity of collegiate athletics.