What is an example of a sanctions penalty that a school might face for a rule violation?

• A. Vacating wins, reducing scholarships, postseason bans, or fines.
• B. Increasing recruitment budgets
• C. Scheduling more games
• D. Providing extra scholarships

Answer: (A)

Sanctions in intercollegiate athletics are penalties designed to punish a program for rule violations and deter future misconduct. They typically affect the program’s competitive record, its ability to award scholarships, its postseason eligibility, or its finances. The example listed—vacating wins, reducing scholarships, postseason bans, or fines—fits this pattern because each item directly reduces the program’s advantages or access: removing wins from the record, limiting athlete aid, barring postseason participation, or imposing a monetary penalty. The other options would not be penalties: increasing recruitment budgets would invest more in the program, scheduling more games adds opportunities to compete, and providing extra scholarships increases support for athletes.