Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) has joined the movement in Congress to make the NCAA more accountable.
Katko is among five House of Representatives members introducing a bill that would reform the way the NCAA oversees college sports. The legislation would require the NCAA to be more transparent in how it deals with disciplinary cases, which include investigations that sometimes go on years. There would also be some sort of legal avenue for schools or athletes accused of transgressions.
Katko, who is a Syracuse University Law school alumnus, says the sanctions against SU announced in March, are an example of how the punishment for these schools is arbitrary, and ultimately ends up hurting the student athlete.
"I really kind of think that the NCAA has lost its way, in that the overwhelming money they’re making on the backs of athletes, I think is kind of screwing up their priorities a little bit. And I think they’re losing focus on what’s in the best interest of the athlete,” said Katko. “People’s lives are at stake. People’s scholarships are at stake. The wellbeing of universities are at stake. There’s got to be a better way to do it.”
The legislation would also establish a presidential commission on intercollegiate athletics, which would report to the White House and Congress. The proposal also would establish annual baseline concussion testing for certain student athletes.
