Prior to Valdosta State University’s Week 10 football game, the institution became aware of the use of an ineligible student-athlete this season and self-reported this information to both the NCAA and the Gulf South Conference. 

The student-athlete had previously played at two prior institutions. During the certification process, Valdosta State followed standard eligibility review procedures to certify the student-athlete as eligible based on the information initially provided. 

Following additional review in the last week, information used to certify the student-athlete as eligible did not accurately reflect his status. Key among these items is incorrect information filed by a previous institution regarding the student-athlete's years of competition and inaccurate statistical data posted by previously attended institutions.  

After review by the conference office, VSU shall be subject to GSC Policy 12.4 “Penalties for Using Ineligible Players” as described below. 

1. Valdosta State shall relinquish its outcome in the one GSC contest in which the student-athlete competed this season versus West Alabama. That game shall now be recorded as a loss in the GSC standings. UWA’s record shall not change per the conference policy. [Note: This penalty is applied to only the GSC standings, the score and statistics from that contest shall stand. The result will still reflect a win for VSU in NCAA statistics and record books.] 

2. The Athletic Department shall review eligibility for all four-year transfer student-athletes scheduled to compete the remainder of 2025-26 season and provide additional compliance education for staff. 

3. The GSC may impose additional penalties should more details arise that warrant reconsideration or if other instances of ineligible student-athletes participating in conference games are discovered. 

IMPACT ON GSC AUTOMATIC QUALIFIER (AQ) TO NCAA PLAYOFF 
The winner of the Valdosta State at West Florida game on Saturday, November 15 shall earn the automatic qualifier to NCAA Playoffs. The GSC’s approved AQ policy is based on conference winning percentage. If UWF wins, they will earn the AQ with a perfect 3-0 conference record. If VSU wins, they will tie UWF in the standings at 2-1 (.667 winning percentage). The first tiebreaker for AQ is head-to-head result which VSU would own.