Institution: Eastern Connecticut State University

Date: February 27, 2026

Violation Summary: This case involved an assistant coach/booster at Eastern Connecticut University providing impermissible benefits to two then softball student-athletes from April through May 1, 2024. Specifically, the assistant coach provided cost-free housing and meals to one of the student-athletes for approximately one month and paid for round-trip airline tickets for both student-athletes. The impermissible benefits totaled over $2,100. Due to the receipt of impermissible benefits, the student-athletes competed in 27 contests while ineligible. The parties agreed the head coach was presumed responsible for the violations and that she did not promote an atmosphere for compliance or adequately monitor the activities of the assistant coach. The COI resolved the case via summary disposition report (SDR) and proposed show-cause orders to both coaches. The head coach accepted the proposed show-cause order, and the assistant coach default-accepted the proposed show-cause order when she did not respond by the established deadline.

Penalty Summary: One year of probation; a $2,500 fine (self-imposed by the school); a vacation of individual and team records for any games in which ineligible players competed (self-imposed by the school); a two-week recruiting suspension for the softball head coach (self-imposed by the school); a one-year show-cause order for the head coach, during which time she will be suspended from 10% of the softball regular season and be required to attend the NCAA Regional Rules Seminar; a two-year show-cause order for the assistant coach, during which time any employing NCAA school will suspend her from all athletically related responsibilities and require her to attend the NCAA Regional Rules Seminar; a two-year ban on serving on NCAA or conference committees for the head coach (self-imposed by the school); and disassociation of the assistant coach (who is also a school booster) by the school for a period of five years (self-imposed by the school).

Involved Sports:
Softball

Involved Penalties:

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