MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner University's baseball program will forfeit 30 victories from the 2025 season following a ruling from the NAIA National Eligibility Committee (NEC) that was upheld by the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) upon appeal. The decision stems from a voluntarily self-reported infraction that was brought to the attention of athletic department officials less than 48 hours before the school notified the NAIA.
Faulkner University subsequently sought a preliminary injunction in federal court that would have served to block the forfeitures until the conclusion of the season and an injunction to force the NAIA to follow its bylaws regarding non-forfeiture in these unique circumstances. In a hearing related only to the preliminary injunction, the Honorable Chief Judge Emily C. Marks of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division ruled from the bench Monday that Faulkner's facts presented did not meet the high threshold to grant a preliminary injunction, thereby ending the school's pursuit of immediate relief.
The case in question involved a student-athlete who played the 2021 season at another NAIA institution. During the offseason following his 2024 campaign at Faulkner, the student-athlete sent an inquiry to the NAIA regarding his eligibility and whether he had been charged for the 2021 season, given some confusion regarding the COVID eligibility rules. After the student-athlete received word from the NAIA Eligibility Center that he had not been charged for his 2021 season, Faulkner certified the student-athlete to participate in 2025 with the belief that he had not exhausted his eligibility.
After another institution informally challenged the student-athlete's eligibility, Faulkner University submitted all requisite emails and documentation to the NAIA in order to satisfy the self-report process. The NAIA ruled the university to be in violation of Article V, Section D, Item 1 of the NAIA Bylaws. Faulkner sought relief under the guidelines outlined in Article VI – Section B (9) of the 2024-25 NAIA handbook. While Marks did indicate that Article VI is applicable to Faulkner in this case, the bylaw requires the university to prove it exercised due diligence in the eligibility certification process. The evidence presented at the preliminary injunction hearing was not sufficient to meet the high "substantial likelihood of success" burden to allow for a preliminary injunction. Consequently, Faulkner baseball will forfeit all victories in which the student-athlete participated. Letters of forfeiture have been sent to the appropriate institutions.
As the university maintains its unwavering commitment to integrity and sportsmanship, the institution will continue to diligently review and strengthen all of its processes moving forward.
