The Houston Christian University Athletics Department is committed to abiding by all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), conference (Southland and Ohio Valley), and university rules and regulations. The compliance office seeks to assist administrators, coaches, faculty, student-athletes, and representatives of the University's athletics interests, in maintaining these standards. The compliance office strives to be proactive with education initiatives and monitoring systems that are effective and user friendly, embracing open communication with faculty, staff, student-athletes and the community at large.
All questions and requests for interpretations shall be answered in a friendly and timely manner. No question or potential violation is too minor to be reported.
Mission Statement
The HCU Compliance Office is committed to creating and fostering an atmosphere of compliance throughout the HCU community in union with the overall mission of the University to provide a learning experience for students that instills them with a passion for academic, spiritual, and professional excellence as a result of our central confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Operating with integrity and accountability, the HCU Compliance Office will educate, monitor and promote all aspects of rules compliance in accordance with NCAA, Conference, and University rules and regulations. Each person seeking compliance assistance should be treated with courtesy and respect. Compliance work should be done thoughtfully, efficiently, and in the pursuit of providing workable solutions.
Institutional Control
Per NCAA Bylaw 6.01.1, “The control and responsibility for the conduct of intercollegiate athletics shall be exercised by the institution itself and by the conference(s), if any, of which it is a member. Administrative control or faculty control, or a combination of the two, shall constitute institutional control.” HCU is committed and obligated to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner that is consistent with the letter and the spirit of NCAA, Conference and institutional rules and regulations.
The commitment and obligation to operate the intercollegiate athletics program in adherence to the principle of institutional control is both institutional and individual. The NCAA provides that each institution shall be responsible for:
- ~Controlling its intercollegiate athletics program in compliance with the NCAA’s rules and regulations;
- ~Monitoring its programs to ensure compliance, identifying and reporting to the NCAA instances in which compliance has not been achieved and taking appropriate corrective actions; and
- ~Ensuring that members of the staff, student-athletes and others representing Houston Christian University’s athletics interests comply with all applicable NCAA regulations.
Each individual involved in intercollegiate athletics is obligated to:
- ~Maintain competency in knowledge of the rules;
- ~Act within his or her realm of responsibility in full compliance with governing legislation; and
- ~Report any violation of NCAA, Conference or institutional rules of which he or she is aware.
HCU's Commitment to Rules Compliance
Houston Christian University has made the commitment to operate and support a Division I athletics program. Along with this commitment is the pledge that the program is administered and operated with the highest level of integrity, respect and regard for all rules and regulations that govern its operation. It is every coach and staff member’s responsibility to operate his/her program in full compliance with all NCAA, Conference and Institutional rules and regulations. Ignorance of these regulations cannot be used as an excuse for failure to comply.
To that end, self-reporting of all known or potential violations to the compliance office or the Athletic Director. Full cooperation with NCAA, Conference and HCU in all investigations and provision of any of these entities with truthful and complete information concerning involvement in or knowledge of any violation of NCAA, Conference and regulations.
As a member of the NCAA, Houston Christian University is accountable for the actions of its boosters and fans. Even the best-intentioned action on a fan’s part may be a violation of NCAA rules. Please contact the HCU Athletics Compliance Office if you have any questions concerning what is permissible.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email the compliance office.
