Report: NCAA denies going undercover at IMG Academy
The NCAA is refuting reports that it sent staffers to IMG Academy in Florida to trap college coaches who were committing violations.
Contrary to tweet going around, while enforcement staff does attend recruiting events, NCAA was NOT in attendance at IMG event yesterday.
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) April 29, 2015
Enforcement staff does attend recruiting events, but they do not misrepresent who they work for and why they are there.
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) April 29, 2015
Earlier in the day, UTSA defensive line coach Eric Roark said in a since-deleted tweet that the NCAA caught five coaches committing a violation at IMG Academy in Florida.
IMG is a private sports institute in Bradenton, Fla., for elite athletes ranging from youth to professionals.
The school features a wide array of sports, headlined by baseball, football and basketball.
So what exactly is the "bump" rule? To put it simply, it's a term used by the NCAA to describe the illegal contact between a college coach and a potential student-athlete.
A bump is supposed to be reported to the NCAA, and although it's only considered a minor infraction, it's still a violation that carries penalties.
Roark didn't specify which schools were involved, but if the story is true, it's clear the NCAA is doing its part to crack down on illegal recruiting.
It wouldn't be the first time the commission has pulled this stunt, either. Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports said he's anything but shocked by the move.
Not surprised the NCAA would have ppl undercover at IMG Academy. They had ppl undercover at TheOpening and Elite11 2 years ago.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 29, 2015