An investigation into Iowa wagering has opened the floodgates for both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. Most recently, it was ISU QB Hunter Dekkers that has become the center of the investigation per reports.
In recent years we have seen this hit the NFL side with betting on games, most notably with former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley. He was suspended for the entire 2022 season.
The NCAA prohibits sports betting or providing information to individuals to use in sports betting. If an athlete is found to have partaken in these activities it would result in loss of any remaining eligibility. Any wagers made on May 2 and beyond are subject to the following punishment per the NCAA:
- Student-athletes who engage in activities to influence the outcomes of their own games or knowingly provide information to individuals involved in sports betting activities will potentially face permanent loss of collegiate eligibility in all sports.
- If a student-athlete wagers on their own sport at another school, education on sports wagering rules and prevention will be required as a condition of reinstatement, and the loss of 50% of one season of eligibility will be considered.
The NCAA laid out the following punishments for the amount of bets placed.
$200 or less: sports wagering rules and prevention education.
$201-$500: loss of 10% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.
$501-$800: loss of 20% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.
Greater than $800: loss of 30% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.
With all eyes turning to Hunter Dekkers at this point, his legal team released the following statement via social media channels.
“This prosecution interferes with and politicizes what is the business of Iowa State University and the NCAA. The investigation at the Iowa universities is the tip of an iceberg. Thousands and thousands of college athletes place bets—usually very small ones—with shared accounts. That is for the schools and the NCAA to police.
The statement goes on to announce that Dekkers will not participate in fall camp.
“So he can focus on his studies and on the defense of this criminal charge, Hunter has informed the University and the coaching staff that he cannot participate in fall football camp.”
It remains to be seen how this will impact the Cyclones and head coach Matt Campbell, who are coming off their first losing season since 2016. That was the first year under Campbell and Iowa State finished 3-9.