Virginia Tech linebacker Alan Tisdale says he never meant to violate the NCAA’s policies on gambling. He used a smartphone app to bet around $400 on the NBA Finals last year, partaking in an activity that has become ubiquitous on college campuses.
Tisdale quickly learned that the rules for athletes were severe and unyielding. Even though he self-reported his transgression, he received an initial suspension of nine games. The penalty was reduced to six games on appeal, but Tisdale still missed half of a football season simply for placing a legal wager on a professional sport he didn’t play.
“You don’t look at the NCAA rulebook 24/7,” Tisdale said.
