When the committee showed interest in Bachus' request for a hearing earlier this year, NCAA officials defended the organization's actions. In an earlier interview, Jeff Howard, the NCAA's managing director for public relations, said there is no merit to claims that its investigations deny schools due process.
Reacting to Wednesday's announcement, NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said: ``When many people think of due process, they are thinking about the types of procedures portrayed on (TV) shows like 'Law and Order.' The NCAA process is actually very different. It is similar to the procedures our member colleges and universities use in administrative proceedings with students or faculty and staff. Still, the NCAA enforcement process does offer a multitude of due-process protections for institutions and involved individuals.''
Bachus has said his call for a hearing was not prompted by any specific case, but the NCAA has drawn criticism in his state for its probes of Alabama and Auburn in recent years.
