National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

November 24, 1997

Recruiting, ethical-conduct violations cited in Pfeiffer probation

The NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions has placed Pfeiffer University on probation for two years for violations in the areas of recruiting and ethical conduct.

The violations occurred in the sport of women's basketball. Prospective student-athletes were provided impermissible airline and local automobile transportation, lodging, and meals.

In addition, the women's basketball coach and a women's basketball student-athlete violated NCAA standards for ethical conduct.

In addition to the probation, other penalties imposed by the committee included reduction in the number of financial aid awards and permissible official visits in women's basketball during the 1998-99 academic year.

A "show-cause" requirement was leveled against the former head women's basketball coach. If she seeks employment or affiliation in an athletically related position at an NCAA member institution for the next five years, she and the school are requested to appear before the Division II Committee on Infractions to consider whether her duties should be limited for a designated period of time.

The committee applauded the university for its prompt investigation and self-imposed corrective measures, including obtaining the resignation of the head women's basketball coach.

The NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions heard this case September 24, 1997. Representatives of the university and the NCAA enforcement staff appeared before the committee.

The violations found by the committee included:

  • During the spring and summer of 1996, the head woman's basketball coach provided a prospective student-athlete with impermissible airline transportation to enroll and with local automobile transportation.

  • During the summer of 1996, the head women's basketball coach provided two prospective student-athletes with impermissible airline transportation to enroll, lodging, ground transportation and a meal.

  • The head women's basketball coach involved in this case violated the NCAA standards of ethical conduct.

  • A women's basketball student-athlete violated the NCAA standards of ethical conduct.

  • There were several secondary violations.

    In determining appropriate penalties, the committee considered Pfeiffer's corrective actions, including:

  • Obtained the resignation of the head women's basketball coach involved in this case.

  • Completed, approved and distributed an Athletics Policies and Compliance Handbook.

  • Required coaches to meet weekly for a staff meeting and update regarding NCAA rules.

  • Established new procedures for documenting official visits, squad lists and camps.

  • Implemented orientations and developed follow-up guidance for new coaches.

  • Improved the system of compliance checks and balances, including in-person meetings between head coaches and the compliance coordinator to review squad lists.

  • Required itineraries for official visits to be submitted and approved prior to making travel arrangements.

  • Required coaches to have itineraries for recruiting trips approved prior to departure.

  • Sent letters to local motels and a travel agency asking them not to allow any unauthorized credit card bills to be charged to the athletics department.

    The Division II Committee on Infractions imposed the following penalties:

  • Two years of probation.

  • Reduction by 1.68 in the number of permissible financial aid awards in women's basketball during the 1998-99 academic year.

  • Maximum of two official visits in women's basketball during the 1998-99 academic year.

  • Requirement that the institution continue to develop a comprehensive athletics compliance education program, with annual reports to the committee during the period of probation.

  • Recertification of current athletics policies and practices.

  • Show-cause requirement regarding the former head women's basketball coach for five years.

    As required by NCAA legislation for any institution in a major infractions case, Pfeiffer is subject to the NCAA's repeat violator provisions for a five-year period beginning on the effective date of the penalties in this case, September 24, 1997.

    The members of the Division II Committee on Infractions who heard this case are committee chair Milton L. Bradley, professor of chemistry, Delta State University; Les Brinson, professor of psychology, North Carolina Central University; Frederick B. Lacey, attorney, LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene and MacRae and a retired judge; and William J. Weidner, director of athletics, Ashland University.

    The complete report of the Division II Committee on Infractions will be published in the December 1 issue of The NCAA Register.