Published • loading... • Updated
NCAA Hands North Dakota 1-Year Probation for Tampering Violations by Assistant Coach Travis Stepps
The school accepted a $25,000 fine and one-year probation after assistant coach Travis Stepps contacted a recruit before the transfer portal opened.
- On Friday, the NCAA penalized the North Dakota football program for tampering, issuing a $25,000 fine and one-year probation after assistant coach Travis Stepps engaged in "impermissible recruiting conversations with a student-athlete from another school who had not been entered in the Transfer Portal."
- Before the Transfer Portal window opened, Stepps knowingly contacted an athlete at Riverside Community College whom he had previously recruited out of high school. The student ultimately enrolled at Lindenwood University instead of joining the Fighting Hawks.
- The program faces a 3 percent reduction in official paid visits and three one-week bans on unofficial visits during the 2026-27 academic year. Stepps received a one-game suspension and a one-year show-cause order.
- UND athletic director Bill Chaves said, "We take responsibility for this Level II violation," noting the school self-reported the issue. Head coach Eric Schmidt will not be penalized, as the committee agreed he promoted an atmosphere of compliance.
- Chaves highlighted that existing NCAA rules do not always align with the realities of the 12-month football calendar, noting the rapidly evolving recruiting environment. The program remains focused on strengthening processes to ensure compliance while adapting to the changing landscape.
Insights by Ground AI
22 Articles
22 Articles
Associated Press News+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
NCAA hands North Dakota 1-year probation for tampering violations by assistant coach Travis Stepps
The NCAA says tampering violations occurred in the North Dakota football program when assistant coach Travis Stepps recruited a player from another school who had not entered the transfer portal.
·New York, United States
Read Full Article
UND Football penalized by NCAA for tampering violation
On Friday, June 5 the NCAA and Division i Committee on Infractions (COI) released a resolution with the University of North Dakota surrounding a rules violations by a staff member in the football program. In a release from the NCAA, the violation occurred when football assistant coach Travis Stepps had contact surrounding recruiting with a student-athlete from another school who had not yet entered him name into the Transfer Portal. The Universi…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
45% Center
L 40%
C 45%
15%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
