Three members of Ball State’s women’s volleyball team will not compete this weekend, due to their involvement in an NCAA violation involving the misuse of textbook benefits.
“I can confirm that they are part of an ongoing investigation of athletes improperly obtaining or receiving books,” Associate Director of University Communications Glenn Augustine said.
Seniors Rachel Refenes, Stephanie Bacan and Kristin Westhof will not compete in the Michigan State Invitational today and Saturday.
Women’s volleyball coach Randy Litchfield was informed of the possibility of losing his players on Wednesday night and their suspension was made official at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
“It’s been within hours,” Litchfield said Thursday afternoon. “My head’s still spinning.”
Last season, Refenes led the team in hitting percentage (.249), blocks per game (1.34) and was second in kills per game (2.97). Westhof had 1.79 kills per game with a percentage of .188 in 2004. Bacan played in all but two of the Cardinals’ matches last season and played two games as libero during the team’s opening weekend.
“It really sickens me that great kids like this are not going to get a chance to play their sport this weekend,” Litchfield said.
The three volleyball players, along with at least 25 other student-athletes, have violated an NCAA rule that states athletes can borrow the textbooks needed for their classes.
NCAA Bylaw 15 allows athletes to receive financial aid only for the books required by their courses. Athletes get their books from the bookstore and the bill is sent to the athletics department. On May 15, the university announced that athletes from football, men’s tennis, women’s track and softball were cited for getting books for other students as well.
NCAA Bylaw 15 states that are punishable by losing eligibility until the amount is repaid. For violations above $100 the athlete must repay the money, petition to regain eligibility and sit out a percent of his or her season based on the monetary value of his or her violation.
The athletics department put new procedures into place in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring this year.
The women’s volleyball violations were not revealed in the original release, however, and the three players were able to play in two matches last weekend.
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” Augustine said. “More information is coming to light.”
The volleyball players will only be out for this weekend’s matches, Litchfield said.
Augustine also said that the names of other athletes may be released today.
Repeated phone calls to Dave Land, director of athletic compliance, and Bubba Cunningham, athletics director, were unreturned.
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