In my previous life as a project manager I worked with an environmental organization whose role it was to ensure designs complied with environmental regulations. We tried to bring them into the discussion as early as possible to make them a stakeholder in the success of the projects.

It was pointless, though, because they viewed their role as compliance and enforcement vs customer support. They could not have cared less if the project was successful - all they cared about was telling you what you couldn't do.

If they had leadership that forced them to assume a customer support role, they'd still be able to tell you what you couldn't do - but they'd have to follow it up with 'so now let's find a solution that is environmentally compliant.'

The NCAA is playing the compliance role, without any thought to the customer support role.