BW imposes playoff ban

Baldwin Wallace will not participate in the OAC or NCAA postseason. Baldwin Wallace athletics photo

Baldwin Wallace has self-reported to the NCAA that it has incorrectly awarded financial aid to a number of student-athletes and as such, has removed itself from NCAA postseason consideration for the 2012-13 academic year.

Last season the Yellow Jackets finished in fourth place on the men’s side of the OAC and fifth place on the women’s side.  Both teams were eliminated in the OAC tournament quarterfinals.  The Baldwin Wallace women received votes in the Preseason Top 25.

"Recently, mistakes in the application of NCAA regulations to the awarding of financial aid to a small percentage of our student-athletes have come to light," Baldwin Wallace president Robert Helmer said in a statement, published by the Canton Repository. "Baldwin Wallace University has always stood for the highest standards of integrity. For that reason, we have notified the NCAA that we are withdrawing from any consideration of postseason play for our athletic teams during the 2012-13 academic year. This was a difficult decision to make, but one that would certainly be expected of us by the NCAA.

"The University is obligated as an NCAA member to examine any possible failure to maintain full compliance and to take appropriate corrective action. Over the coming months, we will work cooperatively with the NCAA to determine a final resolution of the situation."

In fall sports, Baldwin Wallace has removed itself from the conference playoffs and the football team is not eligible for the NCAA playoffs. The possibility remains that there may be further sanctions levied by the NCAA. In the spring the NCAA handed a postseason ban to the Kean women for the upcoming season.