The Associated Press

 

The NCAA enforcement department reduced the average duration of its most serious cases by nine percent while its case load grew by 26 percent over the last three years, according to an internal review.

The department underwent an overhaul that included new leadership and personnel, along with numerous reforms, starting in 2013. Jon Duncan was named director of enforcement in 2014. The changes came at a time when NCAA enforcement was receiving criticism for mishandling the Miami case involving booster Nevin Shapiro.

Part of those reforms required a three-year self-assessment delivered to NCAA President Mark Emmert. The NCAA released Thursday the reviews done by enforcement and the committee on infractions.

Timeliness and the duration of cases was one of the main areas in which members asked to be addressed. The internal report says in 2013 enforcement concluded 10 investigations. The average duration of the investigation was 8.7 months. In 2015, 49 cases were concluded and the average duration of the investigation was 7.8 months.

The report said that more sophisticated data, modified staff make-up, guarding against the scope of the investigation growing and increased member communication were among the ways the enforcement department was able to deliver more timely investigations.

The report also cited improved efficiency in the processing of tips and information that could lead to a case being opened.

Enforcement receives approximately 600 pieces of raw information each year. After implementing changes to expedite assessment and assignment, the average number of days the process takes decreased from 60 in 2013 to three in 2016.