Download the Emory & Henry University public infractions decision
Emory & Henry College did not monitor its financial aid process for three years, according a decision issued by the NCAA Division III Committee on Infractions. A trustee, a booster and the head football coach were allowed to be involved in the financial aid packaging for two incoming football student-athletes in 2012. Additionally, the school considered athletics criteria when awarding nearly $80,000 in scholarships to 27 student-athletes in nine of the school’s sports.
This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff and school must agree to use the summary disposition process instead of having an in-person hearing. Because the penalties are agreed upon by the school and involved individuals, there is not an opportunity to appeal the penalties.
A school trustee and booster became involved separately in the financial aid determinations for two football student-athletes. In one instance, a trustee contacted the financial aid office about awarding funds from a scholarship fund to a student-athlete he met during a recruiting event. In another, a booster became involved with a second football student-athlete’s financial aid package when he contacted the school, and asked the football coach to do the same, about increasing a financial package for a football student-athlete. Following those contacts, the school adjusted the financial aid package of each student-athlete. The process used in both circumstances was contrary to the existing financial aid policies of the school and resulted in the packages being distinguishable from the rest of the student body.
The violations occurred in part because the school did not provide adequate rules education to boosters and campus employees including those in the offices of enrollment management, financial aid and advancement. Because the school did not recognize the violations, the school did not monitor the establishment and awarding of financial aid.
The penalties include:
- Public reprimand and censure.
- Two years of probation from April 10, 2015 through April 9, 2017.
- A postseason ban for any of the school’s teams that include student-athletes who received scholarship funds that included athletics involvement as a criterion. The public report contains more details about the postseason ban.
- A vacation of all wins in which the two football student-athletes competed while ineligible (self-imposed by the school).
- During the first year of probation, trustees, alumni or boosters may not have contact with any prospect visiting the school. Alumni or boosters who interact with prospects during the course of their official duties (admissions, housing, financial aid, registrar, etc. employees) are excluded.
- During the first year of probation, trustees, alumni or boosters may not accompany coaches on off-campus recruiting visits.
- A restriction of off-campus recruiting activities for football coaches to no more than 14 days per calendar month during probation (self-imposed by the school).
- Attendance at a NCAA Regional Rules Seminar or conference rules seminar by the associate athletics director, the football coach and three financial aid staff members.
The members of the Division III Committee on Infractions who reviewed this case include Dave Cecil, chair and associate vice president for financial aid at Transylvania University; Amy Hackett, director of athletics at University of Puget Sound; Tracey Hathaway, assistant athletics director for compliance at University of Massachusetts Boston; Keith Jacques, attorney at Woodman, Edmands, Danylik, Austin, Smith and Jacques; and Nancy Meyer, director of athletics, internal operations and compliance at Calvin College.