The Division II Championships Committee has penalized representatives from eight institutions (five student-athletes) involved in misconduct after the closing ceremonies of the National Championships Festival March 15 in Houston.

Five student-athletes, one head coach, one assistant coach, one volunteer assistant coach and a donor incurred penalties ranging from private reprimands to fines. All were members of wrestling teams. In all, $4,000 in fines was assessed. Nebraska-Omaha, Findlay, Upper Iowa, Newberry and Minnesota State Moorhead received public letters of reprimand. Three additional schools were privately reprimanded.

The Championships Committee’s action followed swift reaction from the Presidents Council, which issued a letter to all Division II chancellors, presidents and athletics directors March 17 about the unfortunate incidents.

“In the main, our championships are conducted with integrity, and very little detracts from the high level of athletics competition from student-athletes who are participating in the pinnacle of their avocation,” said Presidents Council Chair Stephen Jordan of Metropolitan State. “What occurred at the festival in March was rare; however, it was essential for the Presidents Council and the Championships Committee to address it immediately and emphasize to all Division II members that such behavior will not be tolerated.”

One student-athlete, a volunteer assistant coach, an assistant coach and a donor were arrested for public intoxication. Another student-athlete was arrested for evading arrest. The other violators were cited for unruly behavior and property damage. The fines were in addition to restitution to the hotel for property damage.

“While the Division II coaches and student-athletes competed at the highest level and conducted themselves in a fair and equitable manner during the competition, the Championships Committee is quite disturbed by the events that took place the last evening of the festival at the Hyatt Regency Houston,” said Championships Committee Chair David Riggins, the athletics director at Mars Hill. “Certain coaches, student-athletes and fans engaged in activities that were not only unbecoming of the Division II membership but were in direct conflict with the Division II game-environment initiative, the Division II attributes and the Division II strategic-positioning platform.”

The committee cited NCAA Bylaws 31.02.3 (misconduct) and 31.1.8.2 (penalty for misconduct). Riggins said such behavior in the future “may result in suspension from postseason competition without warning.”

“The Championships Committee believes it is the responsibility of the athletics administration to ensure the behavior of its coaches and student-athletes and viewed much of the actions in Houston as a lack of institutional control,” he said.