INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Sports Wagering Task Force and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) have partnered to distribute more than 150,000 “NCAA Don’t Bet On It” wristbands created by the NCAA national office. The wristbands will be worn by head football coaches and their athletic support staffs in conjunction with a National Sports Wagering Awareness Day developed by the NCAA Sports Wagering Task Force for Saturday, October 30, 2004.

The National Sports Wagering Awareness Day serves to place additional attention on the dangers of sports wagering and the negative effects it can have on the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of college sports.  The AFCA has encouraged head football coaches and their athletics support staff to wear the wristband on October 30 during their team’s football game to ensure all football student-athletes and fans are made aware of the dangers associated with sports wagering.

“It is fitting that the game that helped form the NCAA almost 100 years ago has taken the lead on an issue that, if left unchecked, could seriously endanger the well-being of student-athletes and ultimately undermine the integrity of collegiate sports,”  said NCAA President Myles Brand.  “Football coaches around the country should be saluted for their understanding and meaningful action around this issue; action that will undoubtedly have an affect on student-athletes who may not be aware of the pitfalls associated with sports wagering.”

Earlier this year, a national study commissioned by the NCAA revealed a “disturbing” frequency of sports wagering among student-athletes.  The NCAA’s 2003 National Study on Collegiate Sports Wagering and Associated Health Risks revealed that football players reported taking part in significant infractions of NCAA bylaws at rates slightly higher than men’s basketball players. 

In particular, 1.1 percent of football players reported taking money for playing poorly in a game, and 2.3 percent of football players admitted they had been asked to affect the outcome of a game because of gambling debts.  Additionally, 1.4 percent admitted having affected the outcome of a game because of gambling debts.

“NCAA football coaches and staffs across the country will set an example on the importance of addressing sports wagering issues among student-athletes when they wear these wristbands.  Coaches, student-athletes, athletics administrators and fans should support this campaign in an effort to maximize awareness on the hazards of intercollegiate gambling,” stated Grant Teaff, executive director of American Football Coaches Association and vice-chair of the NCAA Sports Wagering Task Force.

At the release of the 2003 National Study on Collegiate Sports Wagering and Associated Health Risks in May of this year, NCAA President Myles Brand announced the formation of the national task force to further analyze results from the survey and recommend strategies to counteract sports wagering among student-athletes.  University of Notre Dame President Rev. Edward A. Malloy is the chair of the task force, and Teaff is the vice-chair. 

The National Sports Wagering Awareness Day is a quick-response initiative taken by the task force in order to raise awareness of sports wagering among student-athletes.  The task force will announce further recommendations at the annual NCAA Convention in January, with a dual focus of ensuring the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of intercollegiate athletics.  Other recommendations will likely include expanding education efforts, new NCAA legislative proposals and suggestions for legislation at the state and federal levels.