IOWA CITY — Iowa defensive lineman Noah Shannon had hoped that his NCAA suspension would be lifted by Wednesday. Unfortunately, he discovered that his eligibility for this season will not be restored.
Shannon has been sidelined for the season due to his suspension related to the NCAA’s sports wagering investigation. After enduring numerous twists and turns, a decision has been reached for Iowa and Shannon, and it is not the outcome he or the Hawkeyes had anticipated.
The NCAA had indicated in recent weeks a potential elimination of suspensions for athletes who wagered on games involving their school, given that they did not bet on their own team. However, on Wednesday, the NCAA pursued a different direction.
According to an NCAA news release: “Effective immediately, reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who wager on teams at their school — excluding their own team — will start at requiring one season of ineligibility and a loss of one year of eligibility. Student-athletes will also be required to participate in sports wagering rules and prevention education as a condition of reinstatement. Previous guidelines, as approved in June, prescribed permanent ineligibility for those cases. The adjusted guidelines may be applied to cases in which student-athletes are currently serving suspensions related to wagering on a different team at their own school that were reported on or after May 2, 2023.”
Shannon was facing a possible permanent ban from the NCAA under the prior guidelines for allegedly betting on an Iowa women’s basketball game. These new guidelines provide no relief for him. His one-year ban effectively puts an end to his career.
Confirmation of Shannon’s involvement in the NCAA’s sports wagering investigation first surfaced this summer. Shannon was meant to represent Iowa at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis but was replaced due to his involvement in the sports wagering investigation.
In August, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz disclosed that Shannon was suspended for the entire season due to his involvement, and an appeal was subsequently denied.
Shannon, who has been part of the Iowa program since 2018, played a significant role in Iowa’s defense in the past two seasons prior to 2023.
Even following his suspension, Shannon remained involved in the program and transitioned into a role as a student assistant on the coaching staff. However, last month, he was given clearance to practice with the team.
Previous coverage: Leistikow: While Kirk Ferentz fights for Noah Shannon, Hawkeye football must move on
Disappointment within the Iowa program stemmed more from the harshness of the suspension rather than the suspension itself. A five or six game suspension would have been less than ideal, but at least it would have provided Shannon with a potential pathway back to the field. Instead, the full-season suspension appeared to close the door on any future possibility of playing for the Hawkeyes. And the news on Wednesday only confirmed this.
“To watch him walk around feeling like he’s done something wrong, which I understand, he understands, he broke a rule,” Ferentz expressed this season. “But I mean, (is) that worth capital punishment? It’s silly. That’s been the hardest thing for all of us.”
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.
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