An NCAA task force has been mobilized to review Division I recruiting bylaws in light of recent allegations of abuse.

David Berst, vice-president for Division I, will chair the task force, which includes athletics administrators from the membership and other affiliated organizations. The group will be on a fast track, charged with providing recommendations for possible new standards to the Division I Management Council by April.

"Given the information that is coming to light on some recruiting practices, the task force is charged with taking immediate action to address the issue," said NCAA President Myles Brand. "Some of what has been alleged is morally reprehensible and has no place in college sports."

The task force was established after allegations at some member institutions that detail a lack of moral and ethical judgment during the recruitment process. Allegations of excessive alcohol use and sexual misconduct during official visits have been levied against some Division I institutions in recent weeks, which prompted Brand to take action.

"The initiation of the task force is not an approach the NCAA has taken in the past in such matters," Brand said. "This signals a new approach by the NCAA to take a leadership position -- a timely and aggressive one when necessary -- in issues of national importance.

"There are moments when an organization discovers that behavior has overwhelmed value-based policy. When that happens, the organization must be nimble enough to respond quickly and get back on the right path. This is one of those moments."

The task force's goal will be to thoroughly review current NCAA rules and to develop any legislation needed to ensure that Association values are not compromised by individuals or institutions engaging in practices that discredit the integrity and mission of intercollegiate athletics. The group will pay specific attention to paid campus visits and will consider changes that ensure an adequate opportunity for the prospect to evaluate the academic, campus, social, team and community environments while also requiring standards of reasonable conduct and accountability.

"We have very precise rules regarding the length of an official visit, how much can be spent on visits and other logistical issues," Brand said. "But the rules are less precise when it comes to behavioral issues, and that is where the focus of the task force will be."

The task force's charge is separate from the enforcement function of the Association, which has jurisdiction to investigate violations.

"This task force has a big job in a short period of time," Brand said. "We are not going to go through another recruiting calendar in football without new standards in place."

But Brand also emphasized that the first line of defense when it comes to ensuring ethical recruiting practices is on the campus level.

"Institutions are responsible for the conduct of their student-athletes and staff, and at no time should anyone associated with collegiate athletics involve themselves in activities that erode moral character or that call into question the academic and athletics mission of the school," Brand said. "In cases where potential illegal conduct is detected, we should ensure that such information is made available to law enforcement officials."

Brand noted that some of the allegations are of criminal activity and that it is the responsibility of the campus to work with local law enforcement. The task force will not address those issues, but will concentrate on the types of ethical behavior around the recruiting process.

NCAA Task Force on Recruiting

David Berst, chair, vice-president for Division I

Tim Curley, director of athletics, Pennsylvania State University

Jeremy Foley, director of athletics, University of Florida

Katie Groke, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee chair, University of Wyoming

Reggie Minton, associate executive director, National Association of Basketball Coaches

Greg Naples, faculty athletics representative, Marquette University

Chris Plonsky, director of women's athletics, University of Texas at Austin

Sonia Price, interim director of women's athletics, Alabama State University

Shannon Reynolds, senior director of events/external affairs, Women's Basketball Coaches Association

Virginia Shepherd, professor of pathology, Vanderbilt University

Gene Smith, director of athletics, Arizona State University

Grant Teaff, executive director, American Football Coaches Association

Patty Viverito, associate commisioner, Missouri Valley Conference

Stan Wilcox, associate commissioner for compliance, Big East Conference

Jill Wilson, director of athletics, Texas A&M University, Kingsville (Division II)

Debbie Yow, director of athletics, University of Maryland, College Park

An additional student-athlete will be named to the task force; other members may be added as necessary