Hartford NCAA Compliance & Investigations Attorneys
Legal help with collegiate compliance, investigations, and enforcement issues in CT
As university and college athletics programs grow larger and more complex, so do the rules and regulations that guide them. Anyone involved in NCAA compliance, enforcement and eligibility issues needs knowledgeable representation during every step of an investigation to ensure his or her rights are protected.
Colleges and coaches are required to comply with all bylaws and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Remaining in strict compliance with these rules ensures the integrity of the school’s reputation, the success of its sports program, and the eligibility of their student athletes. When an institution or coach is accused of violating these bylaws, they can end up with negative attention in the media, affecting recruiting and donation efforts.
This is why it’s crucial to have the Hartford NCAA investigation lawyers from Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC on your side. Our attorneys thoroughly understand the requirements of the NCAA and NAIA organizations, and how to appropriately respond to inquiries from either body. We represent your and your university’s best interests during NCAA compliance and investigations. Contact our offices today.
What kinds of NCAA compliance services do you provide?
As NCAA compliance attorneys, we provide several types of legal services. The first is educating student athletes, coaches, and athletic department staff on specific NCAA rules and regulations. Our attorneys can also conduct periodic audits of your athletic program to ensure it remains compliant.
Another area in which we provide guidance is in handling and responding to allegations of NCAA violations. Our lawyers step in and work with athletic department staff and officials to investigate allegations against the university and assist in preparing the university before the Committee on Infractions. We can also work as negotiators between the NCAA and your university to come to mutual agreement on the terms of any penalties.
Our Hartford compliance services include:
- Advocating for our clients even before formal allegations are filed
- Communicating and negotiating with colleges, NCAA enforcement staff and other parties
- Gathering facts and information during the initial NCAA investigation
- Presenting a strong case on your behalf to the Committee on Infractions
- Responding appropriately to NCAA allegations
Talk to our NCAA investigation attorneys today.
What are examples of NCAA violations and levels?
According to the NCAA, there are three levels of NCAA violations – breach of conduct, significant breach of conduct, and severe breach of conduct.
- Severe breach of conduct. The highest level of NCAA violation, a severe breach of conduct can include violations like failure to cooperate with an investigation, academic misconduct, payments to recruits, violation of head coach rules, intentional violations, and unethical conduct.
- Significant breach of conduct. A significant breach can include violations like recruiting or financial aid violations, impermissible contact with a recruit or student athlete, or failure to monitor.
- Breach of conduct. These types of violations can include smaller issues like inadvertent, limited violations regarding financial aid or recruiting violations (provided they provide only minimal advantage).
Are universities required to use private Hartford attorneys for NCAA investigations?
It’s not mandatory for colleges, universities, and state schools to use outside counsel when dealing with NCAA compliance and investigations. However, it’s highly advisable – and here’s why. Whether it’s a Division I, II, or III school, the NCAA rules are complex and complicated to work through.
And, as we talked about earlier, accusations and allegations of NCAA violations can bring a lot of negative press to a university, affecting its reputation in both tangible and intangible ways. On the other hand, successful defense of NCAA investigations, and stopping them before they start, keeps a college’s reputation intact and continues its excellence in academia and sports.
College sports has changed drastically over the past few decades, and it’s increased almost exponentially over the past few years. We need look no further than television contracts, endorsement deals, and coaching salaries, as well as alumni and corporate donations – all raising the stakes for universities and colleges with elite athletic programs.
And, with the stakes this high, colleges accused of violations are much less inclined to accept punishments and penalties from the NCAA. Today, most universities hire expert outside counsel to mitigate any damage to their reputation and tenaciously fight any penalty against them.
Reputable Hartford NCAA investigations lawyers
At Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC our NCAA compliance and infraction attorneys represent college and university athletic staff and students involved in disputes with the NCAA. We have decades of experience protecting the rights and reputations of clients during investigations. Call us today. We’re located minutes off I-384 in Manchester. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers in Hartford or Manchester, please call 860-649-4400 or fill out our contact form.