The NCAA is investigating the University of Michigan football program into alleged possibilities of sign stealing, according to multiple reports.
According to Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports, the Michigan football program allegedly violated rules prohibiting teams “from scouting, in person, future opponents” which has led to the NCAA investigation.
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Scouting opponents in person has been prohibited since 1994, according to Yahoo! Sports, but the prospect of stealing signs has lingered throughout history. Stealing signs isn’t technically illegal.
According to Yahoo! Sports, “Two of Michigan’s opponents this season told Yahoo Sports they became aware that Michigan knew their play signs.”
The Big Ten Conference released a statement Thursday stating it was notified by the NCAA of the investigation.
“Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program,” the release stated. “The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future opponents. The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The Conference will have no further comment at this time.”
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Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel also released a statement, according to Dellenger.
“I want to personally assure you that U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter,” Manuel stated. “At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community. This is the same expectation I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Given ongoing investigation, I’ll have no further comments at this time.”
