National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2000
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University of Delaware
I have spent the last nine years of my career in collegiate athletics administration. Five of those years have been as the director of compliance at two institutions.
At many institutions, the compliance person is seen as "the bad guy." Because of the unpopular nature of my work, I have a fair amount of job security. While this may sound presumptuous, my opinion is supported by the many times I have been told, "I wouldn't want your job."
Unfortunately, some days I echo the sentiment. There are days I just want to walk out the door, never to return. Bad days may include an unpleasant confrontation with a coach about NCAA rules and regulations; having to tell someone, "No, you can't do that because of NCAA rules"; or -- the worst -- discovering a violation that has an adverse affect on the outcome of a completed competition.
Coaches are intense individuals with strong, passionate emotions, and when the rules don't suit them, the compliance administrator usually bears the wrath. For this reason, a compliance administrator must have a thick skin. Otherwise it will be difficult to do the job successfully and comfortably.
As a compliance administrator, you are working constantly. Responsibilities include checking student-athletes' eligibility, educating the staff, enforcing the rules, investigating violations and much more. You always must be on guard to catch even the most minor infraction.
The necessary element of perpetual observation makes it difficult to relax and enjoy any intercollegiate competition. Who can watch a game when you are taking a head count of the team bench; examining uniforms to ensure all logo restrictions are met; observing the coaching staff to ensure they are within the team limits; answering questions about rules from parents, students and staff; and keeping an eye out for potential improper interactions with alumni and boosters?
While these drawbacks are challenging, the hardest aspect of being a compliance administrator is the constant worry that everything is OK. Long after the workday has ended, thoughts frequently wander through my head. I incessantly check and double-check things in my mind to make sure my institution is complying with NCAA rules.
All this said, how could a compliance administrator perform his or her job successfully and not experience these levels of stress and frustration? Here are some tips that have helped me cope with the stress that accompanies any compliance job.
* Talk to your coaches -- and I don't mean about the rules. Get to know them and their programs. Become familiar with their practices and styles. This will enable you to be more active when dealing with legislative issues. It also helps them see you in a different light, outside of the business arena, and to realize that you, too, are a person.
* Be firm but understanding. It is your job to educate and enforce the NCAA rules. Don't be wishy-washy with your coaches. Be firm but sympathetic to the possible repercussions a violation could have on a sport program.
* Educate your staff. The more your staff (including administrators, athletic trainers, support staff and student-athletes) understands the rules, the less likely a violation is to occur. Make education fun. Play games, award prizes and encourage participation in rules-education sessions with coaches and staff. You will get a positive reaction from people while educating rather than a negative reaction while enforcing.
* Be consistent. This speaks for itself. The worst thing you can do is be inconsistent in your practices and dealings with staff members.
* During the rough days, which you will have, try to remember it's just a job. If you maintain your perspective, you will get through the tough times.
Despite the stress that comes with the territory, I enjoy collegiate athletics administration. The work is challenging in many different ways.
Compliance is an important part of an athletics department's operations. Everyone is responsible for complying with NCAA regulations, including administrators, support staff and other campus constituents. When you factor in those parties, the enormous responsibility a compliance administrator has to the institution becomes apparent.
Just remember that while your institution's reputation depends largely on you -- the "bad guy" -- you don't have to be a bad guy to be effective.
Susan Groff is the assistant athletics director for compliance at the University of Delaware.