Institution: University of Northern Colorado

Date: December 15, 2017

Violation Summary: Nine members of the Northern Colorado men’s basketball staff, including the former head coach, were directly involved in the violations, which included completing coursework for prospects, paying for classes the prospects needed to become academically eligible and arranging off-campus practice sessions with an academically ineligible student-athlete. The head coach admitted that he failed his responsibilities to promote an atmosphere of compliance and monitor his staff. Two assistant coaches violated ethical conduct rules for providing false and misleading information and a third failed to cooperate during the investigation.

Penalty Summary: Three years of probation from Dec. 15, 2017, to Dec. 14, 2020. The university must return all money for its appearance in the 2011 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Reduction of three total men’s basketball scholarships for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years (self-imposed by the university). A vacation of all regular-season, conference tournament and postseason records in which ineligible student-athletes competed.A three-year show cause order for the assistant coach who spearheaded the academic fraud scheme for a prospect, including personally completing his coursework and paying for one of his online courses. The penalty, which is from Dec. 15, 2017, through Dec. 14, 2020, considers his exemplary cooperation. • A three-year show cause order for the assistant coach who completed coursework for a prospect. The penalty, which is from Dec. 15, 2017, through Dec. 14, 2020, considers his exemplary cooperation. five-year show cause order for the assistant coach who completed coursework for a prospect and provided false or misleading information during the investigation. The show cause order is from Dec. 15, 2017, through Dec. 14, 2022. A four-year show cause order for the assistant coach who arranged and paid for a friend to complete coursework for a prospect. He also provided false or misleading information during the investigation. His show cause order is from Dec. 15, 2017, through Dec. 14, 2021. five-year show cause order for the assistant coach who paid or arranged payment for two prospects’ online courses. He also engaged in unethical conduct by refusing to agree to participate in the investigation. His show cause order is from Dec. 15, 2017, through Dec. 14, 2022. A three-year show cause order for the graduate assistant who completed coursework for a prospect. The penalty, which is from Dec. 15, 2017, through Dec. 14, 2020, considers his exemplary cooperation.

Involved Sports:
Men's Basketball

Case Level: I

Involved Penalties:

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