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Former Wingate coach cited for unethical conduct

Wingate University’s former head women’s basketball coach failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance and acted unethically, according to findings by the NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions. The former coach impermissibly provided money to student-athletes and prescription drugs to a student-athlete when she was not licensed to do so.

Penalties include one year probation, a vacation of all wins in which an ineligible student-athlete competed and a two-year show-cause period for the former coach. During the show-cause period, if employed at an NCAA school, the former coach cannot operate or supervise camps, must attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminars and must discuss health and safety concerns with the school’s medical staff.

This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties collectively submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff, university and involved individuals must agree to the facts of the case in order for this process to be utilized instead of having a formal hearing.

The former coach provided money on seven separate occasions to four student-athletes. Additionally, the former coach provided money for a then-recruit to pay a portion of Wingate’s enrollment fee. The committee notes, the former coach did not speak with anyone in athletics administration or compliance to determine if either activity was permissible.

While a student-athlete was waiting for a prescription refill, the former coach provided the student-athlete with prescription medication and asked the student-athlete to not tell anyone. The former coach did not have the authority to provide the medication and as a result, compromised the health and wellbeing of the student-athlete.

As a result of these actions, the former coach was cited for unethical conduct. 

Because the former coach did not report knowing violations to the athletics department and did not ask for guidance before providing money to student-athletes, the coach was also cited for a failure to promote an atmosphere for compliance.

Penalties, including those imposed by the university, are:

• Public reprimand and censure.
• One year of probation from May 8, 2013 through May 7, 2014.
• A vacation of wins in which one ineligible student-athlete competed during the 2011-12 academic year, including regular season, conference tournament wins and the team’s appearance in the Division II Basketball Championship (imposed by the university).
• A $5,000 fine (imposed by the university).
• A two-year show-cause order for the former coach. During this period, the committee restricts athletically related duties of the former head coach should she be employed by an NCAA school. The public report details the restrictions further.

The members of the Division II Committee on Infractions who reviewed this case include Douglas Blais, faculty athletics representative, Southern New Hampshire University; Jean Paul Bradshaw II, attorney; Bridget Lyons, senior associate director of athletics, Barry University; Julie Rochester, chair and faculty athletic representative and associate professor, Northern Michigan University; Carey Snyder, associate director of athletics, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania; Harry O. Stinson III, assistant athletic director of compliance, Kentucky State University; and Jane Teixeira, assistant commissioner of compliance, Pacific West Conference.