NCAA Investigation of the Intercollegiate Athletics Program
To: Community and Friends of Nicholls State University
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President
Through administrative reports, news releases, and the resulting media coverage, you are aware that the Nicholls State University Intercollegiate Athletics Program has been the subject of an on-going investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The involvement of the NCAA was prompted by an internal University investigation initiated in early August 2004. That investigation was conducted by the University’s Coordinator of Compliance for Intercollegiate Athletics supported by counterparts from the Southland Conference. After close coordination with the Southland Conference and the NCAA, on September 8, 2004, the latter organization asserted its responsibility to notify the University that a formal investigation was being initiated. As is consistent with NCAA practice, that investigation applied to the University?��Ǩ�Ѣs entire Intercollegiate Athletics Program.
Similar athletics program investigations across the NCAA membership often take a year or more to conduct and then months longer to bring before the organization?��Ǩ�Ѣs Committee on Infractions. Based on the proactive measures taken by Nicholls in stepping up to the investigation and in taking all appropriate corrective measures, this investigation was basically concluded by October 29, 2004 when the NCAA released its formal Notice of Allegations, Nicholls State University, Case No. M218.
As is the case with an NCAA investigation, the NCAA staff also looked at broader issues under review within the Association. In this instance, the topic also involved the recruitment of international student-athletes. To that end on November 22, 2004, the NCAA notified the University that it was amending its original October 29, 2004 Statement of Allegations addressing issues surrounding the recruitment of an international student-athlete.
Accompanying this letter of transmittal to both the University family and to the broader community, I am providing correspondence that documents the issues under investigation as well as the University?��Ǩ�Ѣs response. From the beginning, I have stated the University?��Ǩ�Ѣs commitment to an open, candid review of all aspects of this matter. The integrity of the University and our shared obligation to the students we serve require such a course of action.
At the same time in releasing these materials I have an obligation to avoid identifying students and others who are entitled to confidentiality or privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Louisiana Laws with regard to public records and individual privacy.
Over what has become a highly involved and sometimes tense period of months throughout fall and early into the new year, Nicholls State University has completed its formal response to the original and amended NCAA Statement of Allegations. That document was submitted to the NCAA Committee on Infractions on January 19, 2005.
On January 4, 2005 the University received its final notification for an appearance before the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions at 8:30 a.m. on February 11, 2005 in San Diego, California. I will lead the group representing the University. Joining me at the hearing are the following individuals:
- Glenn Antizzo ?��Ǩ��� Faculty Athletics Representative
- Robert Bernard - Director of Athletics
- Deanna Falcon ?��Ǩ��� Coordinator of Compliance for Intercollegiate Athletics
- Kelly Rodrigue ?��Ǩ��� University Registrar
- Jay Thomas ?��Ǩ��� Football Coach
- J.P. Piper, the Men?��Ǩ�Ѣs Basketball Coach who had been scheduled to attend, has been excused from attending because of a scheduled basketball game the night before that would prevent him from arriving in San Diego by 8:30 a.m. on the 11th.
Once the University has presented itself before the NCAA Committee on Infractions and that group has determined the range of punitive actions to be taken, I will release the specifics of those actions. Included with that information will be policy and procedural changes being introduced by the University to prevent future such violations of University and NCAA policy and procedures.
For Nicholls State University and its affected student-athletes and coaching staff, this has been a most challenging and painful experience. I regret, sincerely, the harm that has fallen to all of the student-athletes and coaching staff across the entire athletics program. I am particularly appreciative of the manner in which the coaches and student-athletes in football, men?��Ǩ�Ѣs basketball and volleyball have conducted themselves this year. For the many, many athletes who were not involved in this matter, I thank you for your leadership and hard work in performing so well on the field and court.
Nicholls State University and the intercollegiate athletics program will get beyond this recent embarrassment. We will learn from this experience and together we will protect the integrity of the University and fulfill our obligations to the students we serve.
Thank you.