After an internal investigation by the University and the
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and a joint investigation by FAMU and
the NCAA, FAMU self-reported findings of violations to the NCAA Infraction
Committee regarding the Athletics Department’s failure, in previous years, to
properly administer general student-athlete eligibility and playing season
requirements between the 2010-2011 and 2013-2014 academic years, in addition to
financial aid requirements during the summer of 2013.
These specific violations include (1) student-athletes not
completing drug testing forms, (2) student-athletes failing to complete a
medical examination within the required time frame, (3) the Department of
Athletics failing to provide a number of student athletes with the proper
written notification before the reduction of their athletic aid, and (4) the
Department failing to monitor appropriately the administration of eligibility
and playing season requirements.
FAMU self-imposed a three-year probation and annual compliance
reporting to the NCAA on its athletics program. While the NCAA has not made its
official announcement on the findings, a final disposition is expected to
include an additional one-year probation based on the fact that these specific
violations were determined to be systemic and recurring in that they were
identified in the 2006 NCAA report.
FAMU is required to pay a one-time fine estimated at
$153,255. These monies will be retained by FAMU and reinvested into the cost of
external compliance reviews. The fine will be assessed to ensure that adequate
financial resources are devoted to improving the University's compliance
program.
FAMU did not suffer any loss of scholarships, coaches being
suspended, or any further ban on post-season play as a result of these Level II
violations.
In announcing the sanctions, Overton said, “FAMU embraces
these penalties since they are aligned with the steps the University is already
taking to enhance its reporting and monitoring processes. The University
believes that the additional one-year probationary period is necessary to help
ensure that corrective actions are taken to make transformational changes
needed to reinforce the University's commitment to ‘Building Champions in the
Classroom, on the Field, and in Life.’”
The University has developed a Corrective Action Plan to
address the compliance and reporting issues. It is updating the current
Athletics Policies and Procedures Manual to ensure that administrative
procedures both within and outside the Athletics Department are in effect and
operational. The Athletics Department Compliance Office will conduct a timely
review of track and cross country competition results to ensure that students
who participate “unattached” in events do so consistent with NCAA rules. The
Athletics Department central office will establish procedures to execute
tracers for transfer student-athletes to authenticate academic and athletic
participation information received directly from a transfer student-athlete or
his/her prior institution. The Department will also invest in software to
assist with tracking student-athlete reports and activities.
The fine will be used by the Athletics Department to enhance
compliance and prevent the recurrence of these issues as follows:
• Contract with an external third-party group to conduct a
thorough compliance review in the spring of 2016
• Contract with an external third-party group to conduct a
thorough evaluation of training/medical program and procedures
• Add a second full-time compliance official for the 2015-16
year and a third full-time compliance person for the 2016-17 year
• Provide athletics training department employees with NCAA
rules education specific to their respective units on an annual basis
“The rapport and transparency we are rebuilding with the
NCAA has allowed us to reinvest the fine into improving our operations.
Full-compliance with NCAA rules is an integral part of our laser-like focus on
moving FAMU Athletics into a best-in-class program,” Overton said. “Athletics
compliance and academic support programming are foundational components to
improving our department infrastructure, so this investment helps us in our
efforts to build champions.”