Other schools’ recent major infractions offer lessons to help you steer clear of violations

Abstract

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Just hearing about another school getting into trouble for a major infraction can make you cringe as you hope your athletics department doesn’t suffer the same fate down the line. You can help your school steer clear of violations by reviewing the lessons learned from recent major infractions, as discussed by a panel of compliance experts at the annual convention for the National Association for Athletics Compliance. Alex Breske, Assistant Athletics Director for Risk Management and Policy at Michigan State University, moderated the panel, which included Christian Dennie, Esq., Partner with Fox Rothschild LLP; Dee Kennedy, Associate Director at the NCAA; Matt Mikrut, Managing Director of the Office of the Committee on Infractions at the NCAA; and Michael Sheridan, Esq., Senior Counsel with Bond, Schoeneck & King, LLP, and a former member of the NCAA enforcement staff. The following excerpt of their discussion was edited for space and clarity.