The NCAA says former Abilene Christian basketball participant Airion Simmons broke the affiliation’s playing guidelines after investigators decided he shared confidential staff info with bettors and agreed to affect his play throughout a 2024 sport in opposition to Tarleton State.
The ruling, released Friday (Could 15) by the Division I Committee on Infractions, centered on a March 20, 2024, matchup between Abilene Christian College and Tarleton State College. NCAA officers stated Simmons accepted $3,500 after agreeing to “play[ing] unhealthy” through the sport as a part of a betting scheme tied to outdoors gamblers.
In line with the negotiated decision, the case surfaced after one other former Abilene Christian participant disclosed particulars whereas attending a Division II college in September 2025. The participant informed coaches and NCAA officers that Simmons and one other teammate mentioned “a technique to receives a commission to lose the sport” whereas they have been enjoying video video games earlier than the Tarleton State matchup.
Investigators have been additionally informed a couple of FaceTime name involving Simmons, one other teammate and a gambler recognized in NCAA information as “Recognized Bettor 1.” Throughout that dialog, the bettor allegedly directed the gamers to lose the sport so wagers positioned on the competition would pay out.
NCAA faces scrutiny round sports activities betting in faculty athletics amid Abilene Christian case
When NCAA enforcement workers later questioned Simmons, he admitted speaking with one other gambler earlier than the sport. Simmons stated “Recognized Bettor 2” contacted him via direct messages and later provided cash in change for affecting the result of the competition. Investigators stated Simmons additionally revealed details about his injured hand and disclosed that one other teammate wouldn’t play.
The NCAA stated Simmons appeared in solely 11 minutes earlier than leaving due to the hand damage. He later acknowledged assembly somebody in a Dallas outlet mall parking zone to gather money related to the association. Investigators stated Simmons admitted preserving the total fee as an alternative of sharing it with teammates.
Federal prosecutors later filed felony expenses tied to the case. The NCAA stated Simmons and two identified bettors have been indicted January 14, 2026, by the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the Jap District of Pennsylvania on expenses together with bribery in sports activities wagering contests, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The affiliation categorized Simmons’ conduct as a Degree I violation, the NCAA’s most critical class involving moral conduct and sportsmanship guidelines. Officers stated his actions violated insurance policies designed to guard aggressive integrity.
Simmons is not a part of Abilene Christian’s males’s basketball program and isn’t at present taking part in NCAA athletics.
The case arrives as faculty athletics faces mounting issues over gambling-related misconduct. We reported on a wider NCAA point-shaving investigation involving a number of athletes and separate instances the place six student-athletes were expelled after allegedly manipulating bets. One other current NCAA examine drew consideration to growing harassment and abuse directed at players by offended sports activities bettors on-line.
Simmons declined to take part within the negotiated decision course of, although the Committee on Infractions authorised the settlement and finalized the penalties on Friday.
Featured picture: NCAA / Abilene Christian through ACU Sports website
