University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Statement on NCAA Infractions Case
6/18/2026 1:00:00 PM | General
Southern Miss Statement on NCAA Infractions Case
The NCAA Committee on Infractions (COI) published a Negotiated Resolution today following a collaborative investigation with the University of Southern Mississippi regarding its recruitment of a former men's tennis student-athlete, and that student's involvement in the recruitment of other student-athletes to USM. Â
In the summer and fall of 2024, USM men's tennis coaching staff had impermissible recruiting communication with a prospective four-year transfer student-athlete when that student was not in the NCAA transfer portal, and that student later briefly enrolled at USM at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester. In addition, the subject prospective student-athlete also contacted other prospective four-year transfer student-athletes, and he shared the information he learned with USM men's tennis coaching staff.
Upon learning of the potential violations, USM immediately engaged in a joint investigation with NCAA staff, and the matter was promptly resolved through the Negotiated Resolutions process, with USM receiving a level II-mitigated classification. Penalties in the case included two years of probation of the men's tennis team from June 18, 2026 to June 18, 2028, a fine, and reductions in recruiting communications, official visits, and unofficial visits during 2026-27 academic year for the men's tennis team.Â
A copy of the COI's Negotiated Resolution can be accessed here.
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The NCAA Committee on Infractions (COI) published a Negotiated Resolution today following a collaborative investigation with the University of Southern Mississippi regarding its recruitment of a former men's tennis student-athlete, and that student's involvement in the recruitment of other student-athletes to USM. Â
In the summer and fall of 2024, USM men's tennis coaching staff had impermissible recruiting communication with a prospective four-year transfer student-athlete when that student was not in the NCAA transfer portal, and that student later briefly enrolled at USM at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester. In addition, the subject prospective student-athlete also contacted other prospective four-year transfer student-athletes, and he shared the information he learned with USM men's tennis coaching staff.
Upon learning of the potential violations, USM immediately engaged in a joint investigation with NCAA staff, and the matter was promptly resolved through the Negotiated Resolutions process, with USM receiving a level II-mitigated classification. Penalties in the case included two years of probation of the men's tennis team from June 18, 2026 to June 18, 2028, a fine, and reductions in recruiting communications, official visits, and unofficial visits during 2026-27 academic year for the men's tennis team.Â
A copy of the COI's Negotiated Resolution can be accessed here.
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