PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Last week, the Rutgers University Office of Athletic Compliance hosted the 2019 Big Ten Conference Spring Meetings on campus. Over 150 representatives from the Big Ten's 14 institutions, Conference Office and the NCAA met to discuss a wide-range of compliance topics. 
 
"We recognize the membership is at a critical juncture and must intentionally address the issues impacting our institutions, coaches and students," said Paul Perrier, Rutgers Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Compliance Officer. "These meetings provided an ideal forum for our Big Ten peers to connect and develop thoughtful resolutions."
 
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Chancellor Christopher Molloy welcomed the group, while leaders from Bond, Schoeneck & King's industry-leading collegiate sports law firm, as well as prominent leadership coach Cathy Andruzzi, served as keynote speakers.  The meetings were highlighted by two thought-provoking panels.  Tom McMillen (President and CEO of the LEAD1 Association), Ellen Ferris (Vice Chair of the Division I Infractions Appeals Committee and Associate Commissioner for Compliance & Governance with the American Athletic Conference) and Dave Roberts (Vice Chair of the Division I Committee on Infractions and Special Adviser to the President at the University of Southern California), discussed issues impacting FBS athletics including recent litigation and state legislative actions, presence of legalized gambling, and the FBI investigations into basketball and admissions.  Also, a panel of Doug Archie (Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at the Ohio State University), Tim Nevius (Attorney and Founder of Nevius Legal), and Alex Smith (Associate Director of Academic and Membership Affairs with the NCAA), discussed the current transfer landscape and how it has been affected by the waiver process and the introduction of the transfer portal.
 
Members of the Rutgers University Office of Athletic Compliance moderated group discussions and panels throughout the two days.  Additional topics discussed included: enforcement developments within basketball and football, violation trends and investigative best practices, financial aid legislative issues, and campus rules education strategies.
 
The successful conference closed with dinner at the Audi Club in the Hale Center, followed with compliance director and non-director meetings on Tuesday.
 
About the Big Ten Conference
Known as one of intercollegiate sports' most successful undertakings, the Big Ten is home to a lineage of legendary names and an ongoing tradition of developing strong leaders. Even in its infancy, the conference established itself as the preeminent collection of institutions in the nation, where the pursuit of academic excellence prevailed as the definitive goal.
 
Since its inception in 1896, the pursuit and attainment of academic excellence has been a priority for every Big Ten member institution. But maintaining the conference's standard of competing at the highest level in athletics also endures as an important component of the Big Ten experience. Striking that balance between academics and athletics is integral to the Big Ten's identity. Recognized as one of intercollegiate sports' most successful undertakings, the Big Ten strives for success from its students not only on the field and in the classroom, but around the world as well.