Pac-12 Conference Compliance Meetings - ColoradoDecember 10-11, 2014

 

Colorado Football Scandal• The Gist: • Alleged Sexual Assaults (1st in 1997, then again in

2002)• Allegations of using Sex and Alcohol as recruiting

tools (2003-04)• Local police, DA, State Attorney General, US House

Subcommittee all involved

• When you Google that above phrase… 1.1 MILLION results are found.

• Repercussions of the Allegations• Eventual dismissal/resignation from CU President,

Chancellor, Athletic Director, Head Football Coach and more. • Millions of dollars on legal fees (eventually settled out of

court).• NO NCAA violations were reported (common

misconception).• New NCAA Bylaws related to recruiting created.

Could have really used Olivia Pope!

Colorado Football Scandal

13.6.1 Institutional Policies An institution must have written departmental policies related to official visits that apply to prospective student-athletes, student hosts, coaches and other athletics administrators that are approved by the institution's president or chancellor and kept on file at the institution and conference office. The institution is responsible for the development and enforcement of appropriate policies and penalties regarding specified areas, as identified by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors. The institution shall have an outside entity (e.g., conference office) evaluate its policies related to official visits once every four years. The institution may be held accountable through the NCAA infractions process for activities that clearly demonstrate a disregard for its stated policies. (Adopted: 8/5/04, Revised: 3/8/06, 7/31/14)

Bylaw 13.6.1 – You’re Welcome

• In 2004, CU made sweeping changes to their recruiting policy and more specifically made changes to the football requirements.

• This strict policy reduced NCAA Bylaw allowances and was put in place to create a better culture of recruitment in light of the recent allegations.

• Violations of the policy affected the current student-athlete’s eligibility and any PSAs were determined to be inadmissible.

CU Recruiting Policy- The Early Years

Early Football Restrictions:• The Head Football Coach will continue to communicate the recruiting

guidelines to student-athletes. • Football recruiting visits to campus will occur primarily after

completion of the regular football season, with only a few exceptions such as visits by local recruits or other extraordinary circumstances approved by the Chancellor.

• Prior to the visit, prospective student-athletes, parents, and high school coaches will continue to receive letters explaining all expectations, including behavioral standards.

• Recruitment visits will be limited to one overnight stay, rather than the current two-night stay.

• Prospective student-athletes will be supervised by their parents or a designated coach from the time of arrival until departure. The involvement of player hosts will be discontinued.

CU Recruiting Policy- The Early Years

CU Recruiting Policy- The Early Years Early Football Restrictions Cont.: • On the night of arrival, curfew will be set at 11:00 p.m., rather than the current 1:00

a.m. curfew, and will be documented by a designated coach. • Recruitment day will be scheduled and supervised by Athletics Department staff and

will include: • Breakfast with coaches and players • Meetings with faculty members and academic advisors • Review of campus academic expectations, support services and sportsmanship issues • Review of campus and program policies, processes and expectations regarding responsible

alcohol use, sexual and other assault, date rape, sexual harassment, and all aspects of the Student Code of Conduct

• Meetings with football staff, departmental staff and players • A mandatory exit interview will be held with each recruit who visits the campus. • Departure for home in the late afternoon or evening of the recruitment day.

• Recruits already are prohibited from using alcohol or drugs. They also are specifically prohibited from attending private parties or entering bars or strip clubs.

• All activities attended by recruits will be planned, approved and supervised by a designated coach.

• Coaches, student athletes and recruits continue to be required to adhere to all NCAA regulations prior to and during a recruiting visit.

• You can imagine the recruiting disadvantage that this created

CU Recruiting Policy- The Early Years

• After 2 seasons in this model, the policy was modified. In December 2005, it allowed for 48 hour visits and the addition of student hosts.

• 2006 saw the merging of Football and All Other Sports into one recruiting policy. This fostered the beginning of bringing the policy closer back to NCAA rules, however we still had very stringent hosting rules (collect receipts and return unused money) and required a great deal of structure to the visits. They were not allowed to be in the presence of alcohol or drugs (no parties!)

CU Recruiting Policy- Evolution

• Other Evolutions to the Policy:• Curfew has changed from 11pm to 12pm to 1am.• Restaurants no longer needed to be on an ‘approved’

list, but just not on the ‘unacceptable’ list. • In 2009, student hosts no longer had to submit

receipts when they spent money on the visit. • In 2013, lifted ‘in the presence’ ban on alcohol/drugs,

but still may not consume.

CU Recruiting Policy- Evolution

Violations of 13.6.1

• Presence and consumption of alcohol at parties.

• Receipt submitted for hosting funds from liquor store.

• Misinformation of host money reporting, attendance at house party.

CU Recruiting Policy - Violations

• Annual Education• Our FAR, Dr. David Clough speaks to all of the student-athletes each year,

empathizing what happened during ‘the scandal’ and empowering them to behave most appropriately.

• Recruiting Policy information is covered in our yearly compliance video (and other powerpoints throughout the year).

• Each SA signs a Student Athlete Contract indicating they have been educated on the rules and agree to abide.

• SA must complete a Student Host Quiz (using our Student Host Brochure) and must pass the quiz (not miss more than 4 questions).

• SA must sign the Student Host Form prior to the visit beginning and report back to coach any host money spent (OV) and any other information (OV/UOV) of what occurred during the visit.

SA must complete all above requirements in order to serve as a student host.

Education & Certification

PSA Responsibility

• PSAs are provided with an email prior to their arrival with expectations of their behavior on the visit. • PSA must have an exit meeting with a coach or

staff member and discuss the visit and their activities. • They must also sign the Prospect Declaration

Form confirming that they followed all of the required expectations.

Scandal – Gladiators Unite• So much of what we do is defined by what happened

with the Scandal at CU, and we work hard with our coaches and staff to ensure compliance both with our CU Recruiting Policy and the NCAA Bylaws.

Questions??GO BUFFS!