The former University of the South women's basketball head coach violated NCAA sports betting and ethical conduct rules when he placed more than $93,000 in bets on college and professional sports over approximately two years, according to a decision released by a Division III Committee on Infractions hearing panel. As a result of his involvement in the violations, the Sewanee coach also violated head coach responsibility rules.
The school, head coach and enforcement staff agreed that the violations in this case occurred when the coach placed more than $93,000 in sports bets over a 26-month period, including 407 bets on college sports totaling $28,000. Among those bets, 20 were on collegiate women's basketball games that did not include his team. The school educated coaches about rules around sports betting, so the coach knowingly broke NCAA rules.
As a result of his direct involvement in the violations, the coach also violated head coach responsibility rules.
"Given the prevalence of sports wagering activities on college campuses, it is arguably even more important that those closest to student-athletes refrain from such behaviors to protect student-athletes," the committee said in its decision.
This case was resolved through the cooperative summary disposition process, in which involved parties collectively submit the case to the committee in written form. All participating parties must agree to the facts and violations of the case for this process to be used instead of a formal hearing.
The committee prescribed the following penalties and corrective measures:
- One year of probation.
- A $1,500 fine (self-imposed by the school).
- A two-year show-cause order for the former head coach. During the show-cause order, any employing member institution shall be required to provide the head coach with individual monthly rules education during the two-year period. Additionally, if he becomes employed during the show-cause period, he shall be suspended for the first five regular-season contests during the first season of employment.
- Sewanee will require in-person attendance by a member of the athletics department staff at the 2024 and 2025 NCAA Regional Rules Seminars (self-imposed by the school).
Members of the Committee on Infractions are drawn from the NCAA membership and members of the public. The members of the panel who reviewed this case are Tom Di Camillo, commissioner of the State University of New York Athletic Conference; Kenneth Elmore, president of Dean College; Donna Ledwin, chair of the committee and commissioner of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference; and Tom Simmons, athletics director at Ohio Northern.