“Then why are recruiting violations punished so severely? They usually only involve a few players, coaches and alumni.”
Recruiting violations do not result in life sentences in prison. This is criminal activity and it should be treated that way.
You are comparing apples and oranges. Recruiting violations are controlled because to let them continue will give a school that cheats an unfair advantage.
I don’t want to defend the past actions of the NCAA. I am sure they have made mistakes. This is a criminal activity. Go after the people who were responsible.
There are criminal prosecutions, in fact. I don’t follow the logic that the existence of criminal prosecutions should somehow excuse the program from ncaa violations.