The NCAA COl is an independent administrative body charged with deciding infractions cases involving NCAA member institutions and their employees. There is an industry of attorneys, law firms, and non-lawyers in college athletics that specialize in navigating the NCAA's infractions process and appearing before the COI during hearings.

• Teams must consist of 2-3 students from the same university or college and may consist of law students, graduate students from non-law programs or a combination of law and graduate students.
• All competition will take place on Zoom. (No travel required - all remote competition).
• All participants receive a competition T-shirt.
• Trophies are awarded for first place, second place and semifinalists in the hearing competition and first through third place in the writing competition.
• A panel of college athletics officials and attorneys will network with participants, discuss career paths and answer questions at the conclusion of the first day of competition.
• Each team is guaranteed a minimum of two hearings (one as enforcement staff, one as defense counsel)
• Teams that advance from the first-round bracket will have one or two additional hearings in the semifinals and finals.
• Each team will write one brief, maximum length 20 double-spaced pages.
• The mock case file and guidance on the infractions process will be provided to all registered teams by January 1. Written brief will be due in late January. First-round hearings and educational/networking panel will be over Zoom on February 20, 2026, with semifinal and final hearings over Zoom on February 21.
• Registration fee is only $210 for a 2-person team, $240 for a 3-person team.

Hearing Competition Champions: Florida International University College of Law (Jose Garces, Thomas Bilello and Jasmine Martin, coached by Professor Margaret Brenan Correoso)

Hearing, 2^nd Place: University of Iowa College of Law (Allie Gilchrist, Emma Gordon and Alec Goos, coached by Professor Dan Matheson)

Hearing Semifinalists: Stetson University College of Law (Jacqueline Kulchin and Emily Saladrigas, coached by Professor Jim Sheehan) and University of Virginia School of Law (Delaney Sniffen and Riley Smith)

Writing Competition Champions: Stetson University College of Law (Nick Colicci and Tyler Goldberg, coached by Professor Jim Sheehan)

Writing, 2^nd Place: University of Iowa College of Law (Lauren Keating, Meaghan Coble and Max Cheng, coached by Professor Dan Matheson)

Writing, 3^rd Place: Jacksonville University College of Law (Courtney Crain, Brandt Mitchell and Dalton Cates, coached by Professor Matt Reiber)

The National College Athletics Infractions Hearing Competition has welcomed teams from across the country, including representatives from the following institutions:

• University of Illinois College of Law
• University of Arkansas School of Law
• Indiana University McKinney School of Law
• Creighton University School of Law
• Pepperdine University School of Law
• University of Houston Law Center
• University of Iowa College of Law
• University of Iowa Sport and Recreation Management Master's Program
• University of Miami School of Law
• Ohio University MSA/MBA Program
• University of Mississippi School of Law
• Marquette University Law School
• University of Missouri School of Law
• USC Gould School of Law
• University of Minnesota Law School
• University of Virgina School of Law
• Samford University – Cumberland School of Law
• New England Law
• Stetson University College of Law
• University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
• Tulane University Law School
• University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
• Florida International University College of Law
• University of Wyoming College of Law
• Jacksonville University College of Law

All mock hearings and written materials are judged by college sports law and administration industry experts who are eager to provide guidance and insight to students. Previous competition judges, many of whom will be involved in future competitions, included:

• Matt Pottorff, J.D. – Rutgers University Senior Associate AD/Chief Compliance Officer
• Ellen Ferris, J.D. – American Athletic Conference Senior Associate Commissioner (Governance and Compliance) and chair of the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee
• Jason Montgomery, J.D. – college athletics attorney, partner at Husch Blackwell
• Stephen Clar, J.D. – Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Briar Cliff University, former NCAA Associate Director of Academic and Membership Services and staff liaison to the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committees
• Brian White, J.D. – General Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, University of Kansas
• Stephanie Hannah – NCAA Director of Enforcement
• Laura Wurtz, J.D. – NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement
• Henry Archuleta, J.D. – Clemson University Associate AD/Governance and Football Compliance
• Libby Harmon, J.D. – College athletics attorney at Nevius Legal, former NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement
• Chris Gines, J.D. – Air Force Academy Assistant AD for Compliance
• Marcus Wilson, J.D. – University of Iowa Executive Associate AD/Event Management and Sport Administration
• Bridget Niland, J.D. – Niagara University, Dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, former Daemen College Director of Athletics, former NCAA Associate Director and consultant
• Mike Zonder, J.D. – NCAA Director of Enforcement
• Paul Perrier, J.D. – University of Southern California Executive Associate AD/Competitive Excellence
• Brandi Guerinot – Niagara University Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives and former America East Conference Associate Commissioner (Compliance and Governance)
• Andrea Dahly, J.D. – Bemidji State University Associate Athletic Director for Compliance
• Kyle Waterstone – Huron Consulting Group, Higher Education Manager – Strategy & Operations
• Dan Calandro – Retired, former NCAA Associate Director of Division III Governance and former Knox College Director of Athletics
• Rachel Baker – University of Kentucky Executive Associate AD/Compliance
• Seth Balke, J.D. – Texas Christian University Assistant Director of Compliance
• Connor Glass, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Associate at Church Church Hittle + Antrim
• Alexis Barnes, J.D. – Big Ten Conference Assistant Director for Compliance
• Nate Wood, J.D. – University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Associate Athletics Director for Compliance
• Todd Shumaker, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Partner at Church Church Hittle + Antrim
• Loren Galloway Bowans, J.D. – University of Texas at Austin, Clery Compliance Manager and former Assistant Coordinator for Athletics Risk Management & Compliance Services
• Matt Banker, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Principal at MB Sports Consulting and Senior Advisor at Church Church Hittle + Antrim
• Evan Guimond, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Senior Associate at Hogan Lovells
• Abby Howard, J.D. – Army West Point Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel
• Thad Satre – Loyola Marymount University Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance
• Brad Chandler, J.D. – Bradley University Deputy Athletics Director
• Erinn Banks, J.D. – Tulane University Associate Athletics Director for Compliance
• Ryan McAlvey, J.D. – NCAA Assistant Director of Enforcement
• Kristina Minor, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Senior Athletic Consultant at Husch Blackwell
• Maureen Weston, J.D. – Professor of Law at Pepperdine University School of Law, Director of  Entertainment, Media & Sports Dispute Resolution Project
• Paia LaPalombara, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Partner at Church Church Hittle + Antrim
• Scott McDonald, J.D. – NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement
• Julie Owen, J.D. – Mountain West Conference, Senior Associate Commissioner/SWA
• Chris Brown – Mountain West Conference, Associate Commissioner for Governance and Compliance
• Josh Lens, J.D. – University of Iowa, Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Management
• Madison Riggins, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Partner at Fortif Law Partners
• Stefany Valentino, Fresno State University, Senior Associate AD, Compliance
• TaRonda Randall, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Senior Counsel at Husch Blackwell
• Gregg Clifton, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Partner at Lewis Brisbois
• Katie Ahrens Smith – Big Ten Conference, Vice President for Policy and Compliance
• Avery Brown, J.D. – NCAA Assistant Director of Enforcement
• John Clune, J.D. – College athletics attorney, Partner at Hutchinson Black and Cook
• Sydney Weiskopf, J.D. – College athletics attorney at Lyda Group
• Emlyn Goodman, J.D. – University of Pittsburgh, Assistant Director for Compliance
• Jo Potuto, J.D. – University of Nebraska, Emeritus Professor and former chair of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions
• Jeff Myers – NCAA Director of Academic and Membership Affairs
• Shondell Reed, J.D. – Air Force Academy, Senior Associate AD