Baylor Says NCAA Investigation into School Is 'Ongoing, Pending' in Legal Filing

Lawyers representing Baylor University confirmed the school is under an NCAA investigation as a result of the sexual assault scandal that played a role in Art Briles' firing as the head football coach.

According to the Associated Press (via USA Today), the lawyers described "an ongoing, pending investigation" by the NCAA as part of a legal filing in a federal court. 

In May 2016, Baylor released a findings of fact document compiled by law firm Pepper Hamilton, who had investigated whether the school failed to properly handle accusations of sexual assault committed by members of the football team.

In announcing it planned to fire Briles, Baylor's Board of Regents wrote that Pepper Hamilton "found specific failings within both the football program and Athletics department leadership, including a failure to identify and respond to a pattern of sexual violence by a football player and to a report of dating violence."

ESPN.com's Paula Lavigne and Mark Schlabach reported in February the NCAA's enforcement staff had conducted interviews as part of a preliminary investigation into whether the school had committed any NCAA rule infractions.

Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples wrote in May the situation was somewhat tricky for the NCAA since Baylor's violations didn't center on something specifically within the NCAA's purview, such as recruiting or improper benefits.

According to the AP's Jim Vertuno (via ABC News), Baylor was in federal court to ask a judge to limit the amount of information it must reveal regarding the NCAA investigation. 

A U.S. district judge ruled in March victims of sexual assault at Baylor have until 2018 to determine whether they'll continue pursuing a Title IX lawsuit against the school.