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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — An internal investigation of Eastern Michigan University's women's basketball program has resulted in the University self-reporting four violations to the NCAA. The self-report was filed with the NCAA on Friday, Sept. 24.
The self-reported violations involve exceeding limits on practice time, improper coach involvement in voluntary practices, and two individual violations regarding prospective student-athletes participating in organized workouts.
The violations were uncovered during an internal investigation conducted by the Eastern Michigan University Compliance Office over the past two months, following information received from a student-athlete.
EMU Director of Athletics
Derrick Gragg announced the following disciplinary action as a result of the violations:
AnnMarie Gilbert, Head Coach
• Suspended without pay for one month
• Salary freeze for 2010-11
• Mandatory counseling during her 30-day suspension
• Letter of Reprimand
• Apology to team members
• Attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminar - Pay own costs, provide full summary of all rules sessions attended to Compliance Office
Darin Thrun, Assistant Coach
• Indefinite suspension with pay
• Salary freeze for 2010-11
• Letter of Reprimand
• Attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminar - Pay own costs; provide full summary of all rules sessions attended to Compliance Office
LaTonya Tate, Assistant Coach
• Letter of Reprimand
• Salary freeze for 2010-11
• Attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminar - Pay own costs; provide full summary of all rules sessions attended to Compliance Office
Megan Snow, Assistant Athletic Trainer
• Letter of Reprimand (Failure to report suspected rules violations regarding time limitations)
• Sign off on women's basketball CARA (Countable Athletically Related Activities) logs for 2010-11 academic year
Blair Wagner, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Educational session with supervisor regarding voluntary workouts
"We obviously take this matter very seriously, are cooperating fully with the NCAA and have provided a formal self-report and self-imposed sanctions," said Gragg. "While I am disappointed, I am confident that Coach Gilbert will learn from this and it will make her an even better coach in the future. The issuance of self-imposed sanctions does not preclude further disciplinary action should additional information be developed or sanctions imposed regarding the EMU women's basketball program."
In addition to the disciplinary action involving the coaches, the following self-imposed sanctions were announced:
• Two-years probation
• A reduction in countable athletically-related activities as follows:
• Fall 2010: Total of 14 hours a week (-6 hours a week)
• Winter 2011: Total of 15 hours a week (-5 hours a week)
• Student-athletes will receive two days off weekly during the 2010-11 Mid-American Conference season
• 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 the women's basketball staff and strength and conditioning staff members (A.D. will attend to re-enforce the seriousness of the situation)
• Detailed practice schedules submitted to Compliance Office each week; Compliance will continue to spot check practices/voluntary workouts
• CARA forms submitted weekly, and the entire team must sign to verify accuracy
• Tutor/Academic Advisor to travel with the 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 has been implemented and will be increased to twice monthly
"The team was notified of our decision over the weekend," said Gragg. "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."
Assistant Coach LaTonya Tate was named acting head coach during Coach Gilbert's suspension.
In addition to the violations that were self-reported, EMU identified information that may suggest other violations occurred.
"We have taken swift and decisive action in this matter," said
Susan Martin, President of Eastern Michigan University. "We expect the best of everyone involved in a leadership capacity at EMU and will cooperate fully with the NCAA with the utmost transparency."
Documents related to this matter, including the self-report to the NCAA, Self-Imposed Sanctions, Disciplinary Letters to the coaches, as well as Eastern Michigan University's Infraction Reporting Procedures are available at www.emich.edu/NCAA violations. Additional information will be added to the site as the NCAA review of this matter progresses.
• Note: A media availability with Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin and Athletics Director Derrick Gragg will take place from 11:15-11:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, in Room 206, Welch Hall. In order to protect the integrity of the process, additional comments will be limited while the NCAA conducts its review. We ask news media representatives to respect the privacy of our student-athletes, whose primary focus at this time is on academics.
Contact: Walter Kraft, 734.487.6895 (
wkraft@emich.edu)
