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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 violations, issuing a $25,000 fine and one-year probation. Assistant coach Travis Stepps committed the violation through "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 violations were uncovered when Stepps sent an academic transcript to the North Dakota compliance department, which flagged that the student-athlete was not in the Transfer Portal. The program faces a 3 percent reduction in official paid visits and three one-week bans on unofficial visits during 2026-27.
- UND athletic director Bill Chaves said, "We take responsibility for this Level II violation," noting the school promptly self-reported the issue. Head coach Eric Schmidt will not be penalized, as the NCAA Committee agreed he promoted an atmosphere of compliance.
- Chaves highlighted that existing NCAA rules do not always align cleanly with the realities of the 12-month football calendar. The program remains focused on educating staff and strengthening processes to compete the right way while adapting to a changing recruiting landscape.
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North Dakota football penalized for tampering violations
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- The NCAA has penalized the University of North Dakota football team for tampering violations by an assistant coach. Travis Stepps had impermissible recruiting conversations with a student-athlete from another school who had not entered into the Transfer Portal, according to an agreement released by a Division I Committee on Infractions [...]
·Sioux Falls, United States
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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
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 36%
C 50%
14%
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