Skip To Main Content

Georgetown University Athletics

Big East Conference Hoya Saxa

General

A Message From Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia

Sept. 2, 2009

crest

Dear Members of the University Community:

I write to inform you that earlier today the NCAA officially notified Georgetown that the Department of Athletics has been placed on probation for three years as a result of major rules violations related to the management of work-study students in the baseball program from 2001-2007. This is the first major NCAA rules infraction at Georgetown. I am disappointed that it occurred but pleased with our comprehensive response. The infraction involved time-keeping irregularities that resulted in student-athletes in the baseball program receiving work-study compensation in excess of what they actually earned. We have been working cooperatively with the NCAA since we self-reported these violations more than a year ago and have implemented a series of corrective measures designed to ensure full NCAA rules compliance.

The details of this matter are set forth in a summary of our self-report to the NCAA. In sum, our investigation concluded that over a seven-year period, the Department of Athletics paid an estimated $61,522 in excess work-study compensation to 26 student-athletes in the baseball program. The student-athletes performed real tasks and were paid an appropriate hourly rate, but our investigation revealed that after the baseball field (where most of the tasks were performed) moved off campus at the beginning of the 2000-2001 academic year, the method used for tracking hours worked was ineffective. While this mistake is certainly unacceptable, it is important to note that the investigation concluded that the individuals involved did not intend to cheat or violate NCAA rules and that Georgetown's baseball program did not receive any competitive advantage as a result of these infractions. The investigations also revealed that Head Baseball Coach Pete Wilk did not have knowledge of the violations until this process brought them to light. I also wish to acknowledge the complete cooperation of Coach Wilk and all coaches and student-athletes involved with this lengthy process.

I would like to commend colleagues in Athletics and the University for their swift and comprehensive responses upon discovering these problems. We reported these violations to the NCAA in April 2008, after then-Director of Athletics Bernard Muir and then-Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance Samantha Huge found them as part of their routine compliance efforts. They and others worked diligently to identify the issues, notify me, and work with senior University leadership and the NCAA to take appropriate corrective actions. Today we administer an even more comprehensive NCAA compliance program that is coordinated with and supported by the University's overall Institutional Compliance and Ethics Program. I am confident that all who are involved with Georgetown Athletics, especially our coaches and staff, understand and accept their responsibilities for NCAA compliance. Under the interim leadership of Senior Vice President for Strategic Development Daniel R. Porterfield, Ph.D., we will use this incident to foster still-greater awareness of NCAA rules throughout our community. As we recruit a new Director of Athletics, we will emphasize NCAA compliance, rules education, and effective program management as core institutional commitments.

Our mission compels us to strive to be women and men for others. We do this in part by constantly seeking to ensure that we act in a manner that is ethical and fully within the bounds of all relevant rules. We remain committed to full compliance with both the letter and the spirit of NCAA rules and will work proactively with our community, the NCAA and our partners in intercollegiate athletics to sustain this commitment.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioiaDeGioia Signature

President

Print Friendly Version