The NCAA News - News and Features

February 17, 1997

Nicholls State receives reprimand over cleats incident

The NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee has issued a public reprimand to Nicholls State University for an incident that occurred during the 1996 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship.

During warm-ups of the game with the University of Montana, it was discovered that one of the Nicholls State student-athletes was equipped with cleats that exceeded the maximum length of one-half inch, in violation of NCAA football rules.

Before the game, the Nicholls State head coach had requested a clarification of the rule concerning cleats and was informed that no cleats longer than one-half inch could be used.

Although use of the illegal cleats was unintentional on the part of the student-athlete, the committee was concerned the institution possessed the cleats and that a potential injury could have occurred.

A fine was not levied on Nicholls State. The institution did not appeal the football committee's decision.