If a student-athlete intentionally tries to lose a game, this is considered:

• A. A strategic decision
• B. Permissible under certain rule sets
• C. Cheating and grounds for sanctions
• D. Irrelevant to NCAA rules

Answer: (C)

Intentionally trying to lose a game is a breach of fair play and is treated as cheating. When student-athletes compete, the expectation is to perform to the best of their ability within the rules and to respect the integrity of the contest. Deliberately throwing a game undermines the outcome, deceives opponents and fans, and damages the trust that makes sport meaningful. Because of this, authorities like the NCAA and athletic programs impose sanctions for such actions, which can include loss of eligibility, suspensions, fines, or other disciplinary measures for the athlete and possibly the program.

So what makes this the best answer is that it directly labels the act as cheating and actionable misconduct under sports rules, rather than a legitimate tactic, a permitted exception, or something outside the purview of NCAA rules. While people sometimes think about strategy in terms of gamesmanship, a deliberate effort to lose crosses a line and is penalized.