DeLAND--Stetson Men's Basketball today learned that the Atlantic Sun Conference Presidents' Council granted the program partial relief from conference sanctions for the upcoming season through the conference appeal process. Earlier this year, Stetson received national sanctions, including a ban from the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, for missing the NCAA academic performance rating (APR) standards by one point.

The decision by the Council permits the Hatters to play in the 2016 A-Sun Men's Basketball Championship in March. Stetson will realize a reduced conference revenue distribution for 2015-16, all of which will be invested directly in its new Leadership and Mentoring Program designed in-part to address student-athlete retention issues.

“I want to thank the members of the Atlantic Sun Presidents' Council for investing the time and energy required to hear Stetson's appeal,” Stetson University Director of Athletics Jeff Altier said.  “The Council's deliberations resulted in adjusted sanctions more appropriate for Stetson's APR violation.  The adjusted sanctions allow for Stetson to invest in our student-athletes through a Leadership Development/Mentoring Program, as well as permit the basketball team to pursue every competitive opportunity they earn through the Atlantic Sun Tournament. 

“We are proud of our academic record at Stetson. We will continue to conduct all of our business with the goal of retaining and graduating our athletes.” 

Men's Basketball head coach Corey Williams was understandably pleased with the Council's ruling.

“I'm excited that our guys will have an opportunity to play in the post-season,” Williams said. “I'd like to thank Stetson President Dr. Wendy P. Libby and Jeff Altier for their efforts, and I'm also grateful to the A-Sun Presidents' Council for allowing our players to participate in the conference championship.”

Stetson faced NCAA sanctions after falling one point below the APR postseason qualification threshold when an NCAA audit resulted in a change to 2012 calculated results. The one point change, in combination with Stetson voluntarily having permitted men's basketball student-athletes to depart in the interim - all of whom are making satisfactory progress towards degree completion at other institutions - led to the penalty. 

“We deliberated with focus on Stetson's academic standing and the state of its current program,” the Council shared in reaching its decision. “Our balancing point was imposing a penalty to match the 2012 offense, especially when current student-athletes' opportunity to compete is at stake. Our unified commitment to the academic success of our students is paramount and this led us to conclude this matter with a thoughtful, timely definition of Stetson's upcoming season." 

The A-Sun Presidents' Council does not have purview over Stetson's men's basketball team's ineligibility for the NCAA Championship or National Invitation Tournament, sanctions which remain in place. Should the Hatters win the A-Sun Conference Tournament, the NCAA automatic aid will be awarded to the regular season champion.

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