This academic powerhouse, which competes (to use the term loosely) at the Division III level, has been hit with 3 years probation an a ban from postseason play next year by the NCAA, following an investigation where it was found that 30 ineligible student-athletes in 12 different sports had partipated in play over the past 4 years. The problem stems from Caltech's academic practice of allowing students to enroll in classes at the start of quarters for a three-week "trial" basis, to see if the course suits their needs or interest. Trouble is, according to the NCAA, this means they are NOT thus enrolled as full-time students during this period, and thereby are NOT eligible to be a member of any sports team representing the university.

This practice has put the athletic program at Caltech at a HUGE advantage over its competition in recent years. For instance, their baseball team has lost 237 games in a row. Last year their water-polo squad snapped a 9-year drought by notching a win. But this pales in comparison to the dominance of their basketball team: On Feb. 22, 2011 they won a conference game after losing 310 of them in a row, which ended a 26-year streak.

Thank God schools like U Conn and UK haven't faced such dire fates. :-)
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