Chadron State, under investigation for financial irregularities and the handling of booster funds, has ahead of its hearing with the NCAA. Some of the steps it will take include:
- Hiring a business officer to oversee athletic department finances.
- Hiring a full-time compliance officer to ensure the college complies with NCAA rules.
- Reviewing policies and procedures for all three state college athletic departments and revising the policy on student organization funds.
- Processing and recording concession sales through the state college computer system.
A school finally hiring a full-time compliance officers is not unheard of even now in Division II. It might be a little surprising considering Chadron State had a very successful football team in recent years. But Division II is currently transitioning to the idea of at least one full-time compliance officer being required; all new NCAA teams transitioning into Division II normally have to add a full-time position if they do not have one.
But not having a full-time person in charge of the money is unforgivable. Even as a smallish Division II program, Chadron State’s athletic department is still handling almost $3 million. Not having a full-time position dedicated to managing that money makes it easy to see how the football coach was able to set up a slush fund for his booster club.
Chadron State’s response to the NCAA Notice of Allegations was originally due December 17. The school is scheduled for a hearing before the DII Committee on Infractions in late February.