Kevin Wilson Hired as Indiana's Next Football Coach
This article is from yesterday's Chicago Tribune and discusses the new head football coach at Indiana University. The article talks briefly about the IU Compliance office checking in to several secondary violations that were committed at the University of Oklahoma while Wilson was the Offensive Coordinator there. The school wanted to check into Wilson's culpability in a pair of violations that he admitted to being involved in during the job interview process.
Indiana is a school from a BCS conference, and they have also recently run into NCAA issues of their own, so I'm sure they want to be sure of what they are getting in Wilson. But it also shows that they are taking a potential coach's NCAA compliance track record seriously in the hiring process. I can also tell you from experience that this is becoming more and more of a standard practice around Division I athletic departments. Just thought it would be good to let you know that schools are beginning to check up on these types of things.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
January Compliance Newsletter
Compliance Newsletter- January 2011
Everyone, above is a link to the Compliance Newsletter for January 2011. The newsletter can also be found in the newsletter archive on the bottom of the page on the right hand side.
As always, if you have any questions regarding the information in the newsletter, please send me a message and let me know.
UPDATE
My sincerest apologies to the Northern Arizona University women's swimming and diving team. I accidentally left your team out of the chart at the end of the newsletter. But to clarify, you are allowed three countable coaches, with a limit of two off-campus recruiters at any one time
Everyone, above is a link to the Compliance Newsletter for January 2011. The newsletter can also be found in the newsletter archive on the bottom of the page on the right hand side.
As always, if you have any questions regarding the information in the newsletter, please send me a message and let me know.
UPDATE
My sincerest apologies to the Northern Arizona University women's swimming and diving team. I accidentally left your team out of the chart at the end of the newsletter. But to clarify, you are allowed three countable coaches, with a limit of two off-campus recruiters at any one time
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Updated Calendar
Please notice that the athletics calendar on the right hand side of this page has been updated with the important academic dates for the Spring 2011 semester. I hope that everyone is enjoying their holiday break and will be ready to come back to work fresh for the new semester.
See you all on Monday.
Scott
See you all on Monday.
Scott
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Extra Benefits: They come in all forms (Updated)
OSU Players Trade Tattoos for Autographs
Extra benefit are always a hot topic, both to control and to monitor. As I have no doubt told everyone multiple times this semester, extra benefits come in all shapes and sizes- it does not have to be something tangible like money, cars or clothes. Extra benefits are covered by NCAA Bylaw 16.11.2.1, which states that an extra benefit is "any special arrangement" to receive an unauthorized benefit. In this case, it would appear that whomever these student-athletes are used their reputation as football players to score some free tattoos- which would then be an extra benefit, and would likely require reinstatement.
Just as a final note, extra benefits cases have lead to major violations in the past and are not something to just brush off. A few years back at the University of Wisconsin there was a major violation involving a large number of student-athletes who received free or reduced cost clothing/shoes at a local sporting goods store.
Here is the NCAA's official statement on the case and the reinstatement of the five student-athletes:
NCAA's Statement on OSU case
As you can read in the statement, there is a standard penalty (Four games or 30% suspension) for student-athletes receiving extra benefits of a certain value ($1,000 to $2,500 in this case). However, the Reinstatement committee also showed that they have some leeway in these cases based on mitigating circumstances. In this case, they added a fifth game to the suspensions because the student-athlete's did not initially come forward and acknowledge the improper benefits following a rules education session. Another interesting example because you see how there can be both a prescribed penalty and still have the flexibility to add on additional sanctions if necessary.
Extra benefit are always a hot topic, both to control and to monitor. As I have no doubt told everyone multiple times this semester, extra benefits come in all shapes and sizes- it does not have to be something tangible like money, cars or clothes. Extra benefits are covered by NCAA Bylaw 16.11.2.1, which states that an extra benefit is "any special arrangement" to receive an unauthorized benefit. In this case, it would appear that whomever these student-athletes are used their reputation as football players to score some free tattoos- which would then be an extra benefit, and would likely require reinstatement.
Just as a final note, extra benefits cases have lead to major violations in the past and are not something to just brush off. A few years back at the University of Wisconsin there was a major violation involving a large number of student-athletes who received free or reduced cost clothing/shoes at a local sporting goods store.
Here is the NCAA's official statement on the case and the reinstatement of the five student-athletes:
NCAA's Statement on OSU case
As you can read in the statement, there is a standard penalty (Four games or 30% suspension) for student-athletes receiving extra benefits of a certain value ($1,000 to $2,500 in this case). However, the Reinstatement committee also showed that they have some leeway in these cases based on mitigating circumstances. In this case, they added a fifth game to the suspensions because the student-athlete's did not initially come forward and acknowledge the improper benefits following a rules education session. Another interesting example because you see how there can be both a prescribed penalty and still have the flexibility to add on additional sanctions if necessary.
New Additions to the Site
I see that a few people have been visiting the site over the past week. I just wanted to take a few seconds to point out what some of the recent additions to the site layout have been.
You will see at the top of the webpage, there are links directly to the 2010 NCAA Manual as well as recruiting calendars for all of those who have defined recruiting periods. Down the right hand side of the page you will see the compliance calendar, which lists dates of important upcoming events going on in the Northern Arizona University athletics department. Finally, at the bottom of the page are links to past issues of the Compliance Newsletter as well as several important documents that you can share with PSA's that you are recruiting. I hope that you will take a look at these different improvements and maybe even find them useful (the next time you are up late night looking for a copy of your recruiting calendar).
Happy Holidays!!
Scott
You will see at the top of the webpage, there are links directly to the 2010 NCAA Manual as well as recruiting calendars for all of those who have defined recruiting periods. Down the right hand side of the page you will see the compliance calendar, which lists dates of important upcoming events going on in the Northern Arizona University athletics department. Finally, at the bottom of the page are links to past issues of the Compliance Newsletter as well as several important documents that you can share with PSA's that you are recruiting. I hope that you will take a look at these different improvements and maybe even find them useful (the next time you are up late night looking for a copy of your recruiting calendar).
Happy Holidays!!
Scott
Facebook: Be sure that you are communicating correctly
Tennessee's Dooley Posts Impermissible Facebook Message
It is important to learn from other people's mistakes (honest mistakes), and we can all do that in this case. Derek Dooley, Head football coach at the University of Tennessee, posted a message on the Facebook wall of a PSA. Dooley posted the message from his cell phone. NCAA Bylaw 13.4.1.2 states that electronic communication with recruits is limited to emails and faxes; until the day after they return a valid NLI to us.
Then the NCAA clarified this in an educational column from October of 2009. The Ed Column stated that it is permissible to communicate with PSA's by using the private messages on Facebook/Twitter/ other social networking sites. However, what Dooley did, posting on the public wall of a PSA was impermissible communication. Posting a message on the public wall (or using the @ feature on Twitter) makes those messages public, which we are not allowed to do- again, until we have a valid NLI from a PSA. If you do use your cell phone to facebook recruits, be sure you know where the message is being sent. It appears that Dooley made an honest mistake and put his private message on the recruits' public wall.
So, what about becoming friends with a recruit on facebook? That is alright as long as the PSA is old enough to receive the "friend request" email that is automatically generated by facebook. So to be friends with a PSA, the PSA would need to be old enough to send an email to. The following is a quote from that October 2009 Ed Column:
It is important to learn from other people's mistakes (honest mistakes), and we can all do that in this case. Derek Dooley, Head football coach at the University of Tennessee, posted a message on the Facebook wall of a PSA. Dooley posted the message from his cell phone. NCAA Bylaw 13.4.1.2 states that electronic communication with recruits is limited to emails and faxes; until the day after they return a valid NLI to us.
Then the NCAA clarified this in an educational column from October of 2009. The Ed Column stated that it is permissible to communicate with PSA's by using the private messages on Facebook/Twitter/ other social networking sites. However, what Dooley did, posting on the public wall of a PSA was impermissible communication. Posting a message on the public wall (or using the @ feature on Twitter) makes those messages public, which we are not allowed to do- again, until we have a valid NLI from a PSA. If you do use your cell phone to facebook recruits, be sure you know where the message is being sent. It appears that Dooley made an honest mistake and put his private message on the recruits' public wall.
So, what about becoming friends with a recruit on facebook? That is alright as long as the PSA is old enough to receive the "friend request" email that is automatically generated by facebook. So to be friends with a PSA, the PSA would need to be old enough to send an email to. The following is a quote from that October 2009 Ed Column:
Institutions should also note that in accordance with Bylaw 13.10.2, before the signing of a prospective student-athlete to a National Letter of Intent or an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, a member institution may comment publicly only to the extent of confirming its recruitment of the prospective student-athlete. The institution may not comment generally about the prospective student-athlete's ability or the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team; further, the institution is precluded from commenting in any manner as to the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete's signing with that institution.Social media and recruiting is a complex, and constantly evolving, issue to deal with. If you have questions about how to permissibly use Facebook/Twitter/Skype or anything else, please come by the compliance office and ask before doing anything.
Accordingly, although it is permissible for a prospective student-athlete's name and/or picture to appear on an athletics department staff member's profile page of a social networking Web site to identify the prospective student-athlete as a "friend" of the athletics department staff member, staff members may not initiate or accept such requests until such time that it is permissible to send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete. Institutions should note that the identification of the prospective student-athlete as a "friend" on an athletics staff members profile page confirms only the institution's potential recruitment of that individual. However, institutions are reminded they may not make any public comments about the prospective student-athlete's ability, the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team or the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete's signing with that institution.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Michigan State's Izzo Must Sit Game Tonight
MSU's Izzo to sit out tonight
The other day I shared an article that discussed how secondary violations could carry suspensions in certain cases. Just a few days later there is news that a Head Coach will need to serve a one game suspension for a secondary violation. That coach is Tom Izzo, men's basketball coach at Michigan State.
There are two interesting aspects of this violation, which involved an Individual Associated with a Prospect (IAWP) being employed at a MSU summer camp last June. The IAWP legislation is under Bylaw 11 on Personnel, 11.4.2 specifically, and is currently specific to Men's Basketball. Which states that for a two year period before a PSA's planned enrollment date, and for two years after that PSA's enrollment, an institution cannot hire (or enter into an agreement for future employment) with an individual associated with a prospect. The person in question at MSU appears to have been employed at a summer camp, though the legislation bars employment in "any athletics department non-coaching staff position".
The other interesting piece of this case is that the one game suspension is a prescribed penalty for employing an IAWP. There are several secondary violations that carry prescribed penalties, or penalties that must be imposed if there is a violation of a certain Bylaw. The most common prescribed penalties are for exceeding phone call limits with a prospect (2 for 1 withholding) or allowing an ineligible athlete to practice (1 for 1 withholding). Prescribed penalties may often be just a starting point when imposing corrective actions, the University may always decide to impose additional (or more restrictive) actions in addition to the prescribed penalty.
The other day I shared an article that discussed how secondary violations could carry suspensions in certain cases. Just a few days later there is news that a Head Coach will need to serve a one game suspension for a secondary violation. That coach is Tom Izzo, men's basketball coach at Michigan State.
There are two interesting aspects of this violation, which involved an Individual Associated with a Prospect (IAWP) being employed at a MSU summer camp last June. The IAWP legislation is under Bylaw 11 on Personnel, 11.4.2 specifically, and is currently specific to Men's Basketball. Which states that for a two year period before a PSA's planned enrollment date, and for two years after that PSA's enrollment, an institution cannot hire (or enter into an agreement for future employment) with an individual associated with a prospect. The person in question at MSU appears to have been employed at a summer camp, though the legislation bars employment in "any athletics department non-coaching staff position".
The other interesting piece of this case is that the one game suspension is a prescribed penalty for employing an IAWP. There are several secondary violations that carry prescribed penalties, or penalties that must be imposed if there is a violation of a certain Bylaw. The most common prescribed penalties are for exceeding phone call limits with a prospect (2 for 1 withholding) or allowing an ineligible athlete to practice (1 for 1 withholding). Prescribed penalties may often be just a starting point when imposing corrective actions, the University may always decide to impose additional (or more restrictive) actions in addition to the prescribed penalty.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sanctions for Arizona State Baseball
NCAA Sanctions ASU Baseball Program
Earlier this week the NCAA Committee on Infractions ruled on the ASU Baseball case. The actual case dates back to 2007, but went public around this time last year and long-time ASU baseball coach Pat Murphy resigned because of the news. The case surrounds impermissible phone calls to recruits and the COI also ruled that Murphy "Failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program.", which is a violation of NCAA Bylaw 11.1.2.1. Arizona State reached the College World Series in Omaha last season, but will be banned from post-season competition this upcoming season under the new sanctions.
Promoting an atmosphere of compliance is becoming more and more of an issue for coaches. It truly is an important part of coaching and what you, as coaches, do on a daily basis. Please be sure to keep that in mind as we move forward into the new year.
Earlier this week the NCAA Committee on Infractions ruled on the ASU Baseball case. The actual case dates back to 2007, but went public around this time last year and long-time ASU baseball coach Pat Murphy resigned because of the news. The case surrounds impermissible phone calls to recruits and the COI also ruled that Murphy "Failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program.", which is a violation of NCAA Bylaw 11.1.2.1. Arizona State reached the College World Series in Omaha last season, but will be banned from post-season competition this upcoming season under the new sanctions.
Promoting an atmosphere of compliance is becoming more and more of an issue for coaches. It truly is an important part of coaching and what you, as coaches, do on a daily basis. Please be sure to keep that in mind as we move forward into the new year.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Interesting Article on Secondary Violations
Secondary Violations Lead to Coaches Suspensions
This is an interesting article that was in the USA Today earlier this week. The NCAA Secondary Enforcement wing will be starting to consider suspensions for coaches who commit secondary violations in recruiting areas. From what I have heard, this punishment will be reserved for multiple violations or coaches who have repeatedly violated the same rules; so it does not sound like you will need to worry about being suspended for one impermissible call to a recruit (though we don't want that either).
This is an interesting article that was in the USA Today earlier this week. The NCAA Secondary Enforcement wing will be starting to consider suspensions for coaches who commit secondary violations in recruiting areas. From what I have heard, this punishment will be reserved for multiple violations or coaches who have repeatedly violated the same rules; so it does not sound like you will need to worry about being suspended for one impermissible call to a recruit (though we don't want that either).
NCAA Two Year College Transfer Proposals
NCAA - Two Year College Transfer Proposals
Coaches, attached is a memo from the NCAA which details proposed changes to the two-year college transfer rules. The Conference office will be asking for your feedback on these proposals NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1ST.
Arike will be collecting your feedback on these different ideas. Please email her your comments no later than January 1st so that we can submit these comments to the Conference Office. Arike can be emailed at Arike.Mercer@nau.edu.
Coaches, attached is a memo from the NCAA which details proposed changes to the two-year college transfer rules. The Conference office will be asking for your feedback on these proposals NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1ST.
Arike will be collecting your feedback on these different ideas. Please email her your comments no later than January 1st so that we can submit these comments to the Conference Office. Arike can be emailed at Arike.Mercer@nau.edu.
December- Compliance Newsletter
December - Compliance Newsletter
Attached is a link to the December Compliance Newsletter. You should have already received this over email, but please take a few minutes to look through it here in case you did not have a chance to look at the email.
Attached is a link to the December Compliance Newsletter. You should have already received this over email, but please take a few minutes to look through it here in case you did not have a chance to look at the email.
Welcome to the Compliance Blog
NAU coaches and staff. Welcome to the NAU Compliance blog. My goal by starting the blog is to provide you with a resource that will allow you to access compliance content on a regular basis around the clock. In time, I hope to have different resources such as the NCAA manual and recruiting calendars available on the website so that you can access those documents 24/7 whenever you need to.... and without having to wake me up in the middle of the night to get them!!
I also hope post different articles that I find interesting and compliance related from time to time in order to increase your knowledge of compliance and ask more questions. Please bookmark the page so that you can check it from time to time and let me know if you have any feedback on things that I can do better.
I also hope post different articles that I find interesting and compliance related from time to time in order to increase your knowledge of compliance and ask more questions. Please bookmark the page so that you can check it from time to time and let me know if you have any feedback on things that I can do better.
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