SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After a two-year investigation, Missouri State University received the NCAA Committee on Infractions’ report Thursday into the investigation of the university’s volleyball program. The university will not appeal the findings of the committee or the penalties prescribed in the report.
THE FULL REPORT CAN BE READ HERE
In August of 2019, Missouri State self-reported NCAA violations that were discovered as part of an independent internal investigation. That investigation, conducted by Spencer Fane LLP, resulted in the resignation of Melissa Stokes as head volleyball coach.
The NCAA’s investigation into the matter had been ongoing since then. Thursday’s NCAA announcement included five core penalties, including a three-year probation for the university’s volleyball program, a one-year postseason ban for the team, a $5,000 financial penalty, scholarship reductions, and recruiting restrictions due to the Level I violations outlined in the report.
Director of Athletics Kyle Moats noted that the university has fully cooperated with the investigation throughout the process and has made a number of internal procedural changes as a result of its findings and the NCAA report.
“We accept the findings of the NCAA Committee on Infractions and will not appeal the penalties contained therein,” said Moats. “We have made internal modifications to our oversight processes that were singled out in the report and additional steps beyond the NCAA requirements. From today’s announcement, we are moving forward, and we will continue to make compliance a top priority as a department and as an institution.”
According to Moats, the following internal procedures were modified as a result of the various steps in the investigation process:
- An annual, in-person compliance rules education program has been enhanced for coaches and student-athletes, and further review and enhancement of the rules education program will occur on a regular basis
- Processes have been put in place to monitor off-campus housing for prospective and current student-athletes
- Housing documentation is now required of all recruits attending campus on unofficial visits and official visits
- Additional processes have been put in place to monitor camps/clinics, volunteer coaches, and other areas of NCAA legislation
