Infractions Cases Where a Head Coach Successfully Defeated a Head Coach Responsibilities Violation Allegation

By Josh Lens, J.D.* Abstract. To increase head coaches’ accountability, the NCAA strengthened its head coach responsibilities legislation in August 2013. The NCAA Enforcement Staff has since levied dozens of head coach responsibilities violation allegations. The Committee on Infractions has affirmed all but three of these charges, concluding that head coaches did not violate the…
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Auburn Men’s Basketball Avoids Hefty Sanctions Despite Committee’s Finding of Major Infractions

By Michael A. Ross, MS Originating from a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation in 2017 that gained national attention, a former Auburn University men’s basketball associate coach was arrested for accepting $91,500 in bribes from a financial advisor for impermissibly influencing student-athletes and their families. The student-athletes and their families were provided inducements and…
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Lake Brings Passion to Compliance Role at Shaw University

Finding balance in your life can be tricky, especially when you are passionate about your work. Just ask Nancy Lake, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator at Shaw University, a Division II school in North Carolina. Before the pandemic, Shaw was consumed by her responsibility as the primary NCAA compliance officer, who…
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Mercer’s Failure to Monitor Cross Country Program Leads to Recruiting Violations, NCAA Sanctions

The NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions has determined that those in charge of the Mercer University failed to monitor its women’s cross-country program, leading those in charge of the program to commit various recruiting violations. In addition, the former women’s cross country and track and field head coach violated head coach responsibility rules, while…
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NIL Technology Company Introduces ‘Customizable’ Platform for NCAA Compliance Professionals

SPRY, an established leader in NIL compliance software, has announced the launch of a SpryConnect, a new general compliance product, which “will streamline NIL processes and general compliance systems on one secure, user-friendly, customizable platform,” according to the company. “We have had great success with Spry NIL, our initial offering, helping colleges in all three…
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Missouri State AD Says School Will Not Appeal NCAA Finding that It Failed to Monitor Women’s Volleyball Program

The Missouri State women’s volleyball program committed numerous violations involving recruiting, benefits, athletically related activities outside the playing season, and impermissible coaching activity, according to a decision released by a Division I Committee on Infractions hearing panel. Additionally, the former women’s volleyball head coach, Melissa Stokes, was personally involved in many of these violations and…
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Overwhelmed with Cases DI Board of Directors Pauses Referrals to Independent Infractions Process

At the NCAA Convention last month, the Division I Board of Directors temporarily suspended additional referrals to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process. The Independent Accountability Resolution Process comprises independent investigators, advocates and adjudicators who are responsible for reviewing select infractions cases in Division I. The IARP was created in response to recommendations issued by the…
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NCAA Punishes Division II Bluefield State After Finding It Failed to Monitor Certification Process

The Division II Committee on Infractions announced late last year that Division II Bluefield State committed certification violations over the course of a three-year period when it improperly certified 21 student-athletes across eight sports. As a result of the improper certifications, the 21 student-athletes competed in a total of 225 contests while ineligible and received…
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Personnel Digest

Will Kava Tabbed as Senior Associate AD/Compliance & Governance at Mizzou University of Missouri Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois has named Will Kava as the Tigers Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Governance. Kava, who joins Mizzou from Ole Miss, will serve on Reed-Francois’ senior leadership team and lead the department’s compliance and governance…
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Category: January-February 2022