The Eastern Michigan University self-reported four NCAA rules violations by its women’s basketball team on Friday.
The findings are the result of a two-month internal investigation by the school’s compliance office.
“We have taken swift and decisive action in this matter “ said Susan Martin, President of Eastern Michigan University, in a press release. “We expect the best of everyone involved in a leadership capacity at EMU and will cooperate fully with the NCAA with the utmost transparency.”
The confirmed violation involve exceeding limits on practice time, improper coach involvement in voluntary practices and two individual violations where prospective student athletes participated in organized work outs.
“The team was notified of our decision over the weekend,” EMU Athletic Director Derrick Gragg said in the press release. “They were disappointed, but we have a strong support team in place to help them through this. We will continue to stand by them during this process”.
The Report also suggests that other infractions may have occurred. The initial investigation was sparked by one of the student athletes after a conversation with a compliance officer on July 27th.
Gragg announced in a press release this morning that the team has taken the following disciplinary actions against the coaching staff:
• AnnMarie Gilbert, Head Coach
o Suspended without pay for one month
o Salary freeze for 2010-2011
o Mandatory counseling during 30-day suspension
o Letter of Reprimand
o Apology to team members
o Attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminar – pay own costs, provide full summary of all rules sessions attended to Compliance Office
• Darin Thrun, Assistant Coach
o Indefinite suspension with pay
o Salary freeze for 2010-2011
o Letter of Reprimand
o Attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminar – pay own costs, provide full summary of all rules sessions attended to Compliance Office
• LaTonya Tate, Assistant Coach
o Letter of Reprimand
o Salary freeze for 2010-2011
o Attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminar – pay own costs, provide full summary of all rules sessions attended to Compliance Office
• Megan Snow, Assistant Athletic Trainer
o Letter of Reprimand (failure to report suspected rules violations regarding time limitations)
o Sign off on women’s basketball CARA (Countable Athletically Related Activities) logs for 2010-2011 academic year
• Blair Wagner, Assistant Coach Strength and Conditioning
o Educational session with supervisor regarding voluntary workouts
Gragg also announced that the team has self imposed the following restrictions:
• Two-years probation
• A reduction in countable athletically-related activities as follows:
o Fall 2010: Total of 14 hours a week (-6 hours a week)
o Winter 2011: Total of 15 hours a week (-5 hours a week)
• Student-athletes will receive two days off weekly during the MAC season
for 2010-11
• A reduction in the number of expense-paid recruiting visits from 12 per year
to 10 per year in 2010-11 and 2011-12
• Recreational/open gym activities for prospects prohibited for the women’s basketball program for two years
• Additional educational sessions for women’s basketball staff and strength and conditioning staff members (AD will attend to re-enforce the seriousness of the situation)
• Detailed practice schedules submitted to Compliance each week; Compliance will continue to spot check practices/voluntary workouts
• CARA forms submitted weekly, entire team must sign to verify accuracy
• Tutor/academic advisor to travel with team to ensure that there are at least three hours of mandatory study time per day while on the road.
• Monthly meetings between the academic support staff and the head coach had been implemented. This will be increased to twice monthly.
Documents regarding the reports can be found at the university’s website.
The women’s basketball team went 22-9 last season and played in the National Invitational tournament.
