On November 5, 2020, the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions (“COI”) approved a negotiated resolution agreement regarding certain self-reported violations of NCAA legislation that occurred in the sports of baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, softball, men’s track, and volleyball at the University of Hartford (“UHart”). Among the mitigating factors recognized in the report are UHart’s prompt self-detection and self-disclosure of the violations and prompt acknowledgement of the violations, acceptance of responsibility, and imposition of meaningful corrective measures and/or penalties.
The violations involved (1) the improper eligibility certification of certain student-athletes, (2) the failure to notify certain student-athletes in writing that their institutional athletics aid was reduced, cancelled or non-renewed; (3) impermissible recruiting contact for one student-athlete; and (4) a failure to monitor and to provide adequate rules education to athletics staff. A Level III violation occurred where UHart did not ensure the required annual certification of its coaches occurred prior to permitting them to contact or evaluate prospective student-athletes off campus.
The penalties include a two-year period of probation from November 5, 2020 to November 5, 2022, a $5,000 fine, a reduction in scholarships in the sports of women’s basketball and men’s lacrosse, recruiting restrictions in men’s lacrosse, the vacation of wins for all contests in which an ineligible student-athlete participated, and the suspension of the head and assistant men’s lacrosse coach for one contest in the 2021 regular season.
In addition, UHart will implement NCAA compliance education programs for athletics department personnel and others responsible for NCAA certification, and develop and implement a comprehensive rules education program for coaches, athletics department personnel and institutional staff members with responsibility for eligibility certification and the financial aid renewal/non-renewal processes.
UHart has adopted numerous corrective actions under the leadership of its Interim Athletic Director that include but are not limited to the following:
- Increasing the number of athletics compliance professionals from one to three, including the hiring of a Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Academics & Student-Athlete Welfare Services;
- Creating a comprehensive compliance manual and conducting educational sessions on compliance processes and procedures with coaches, athletics department personnel, and other institutional staff members involved in eligibility certification and financial aid;
- Revamping the certification committee to include the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Academics & Student-Athlete Welfare Services, the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Academics, the Director of Compliance and the Registrar;
- Establishing a training schedule for appropriate University personnel to attend NCAA Regional Rules seminars.
UHart appreciates its student-athletes and recognizes the hard work they devote to academics as well as on the courts and fields. UHart looks forward to providing more opportunities for our staff members to increase the focus on the welfare of our student-athletes. We will continue working to enhance our compliance systems and striving for excellence in both our academic and athletic programs.
Click HERE for the COI’s report, which includes a detailed list of penalties and the complete negotiated resolution.
