GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Following a collaborative process between North Dakota Athletics, the NCAA and the Division I Committee on Infractions (COI), the COI on Friday, June 5, 2026 released a negotiated resolution associated with rules violation by a staff member within the North Dakota football program.
 
North Dakota, the NCAA and the COI agreed that a current staff member had impermissible communications with a student-athlete without first obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process. Upon discovering the violation, UND immediately self-reported it to the NCAA. UND then worked closely with the NCAA and the COI on a resolution.
 
As a result of the violation, the COI imposed penalties to include one year of probation from June 5, 2026 to June 4, 2027.
 
Statement from North Dakota Director of Athletics Bill Chaves:
"We take responsibility for this Level II violation. It was identified through our own internal review and promptly self-reported, which reflects our commitment to compliance and institutional integrity. At the same time, I would be remiss to not acknowledge the broader context in which this occurred. The current recruiting environment, particularly in football, has evolved rapidly, and there are areas where existing NCAA rules don't always align cleanly with the realities of today's recruiting cycle. That tension doesn't excuse the violation, but it does underscore the need for continued clarity and modernization in the rules and the 12-month football calendar. Our focus remains on educating our staff, strengthening our processes and competing the right way while adapting to a changing landscape."
 
Statement from North Dakota Head Football Coach Eric Schmidt:
"We acknowledge the violation and take responsibility for it. We are committed to doing things the right way. At the same time, there's important context here – the recruit in this case never set foot on our campus in Grand Forks nor played for us, and the intent was to support him based on a prior relationship. That doesn't excuse the violation, and we understand the standard we are held to, but it does speak to the circumstances surrounding it. Moving forward, we'll continue to educate our staff and ensure we're operating within both the letter and the spirit of the rules."
 
For more information on North Dakota Athletics, follow on social media @UNDsports or visit FightingHawks.com.