A longtime head coach at the State University of New York at Fredonia has been cited for NCAA violations.

According to a decision released Thursday by the Division III Committee on Infractions, Jeff Meredith, men’s ice hockey head coach, committed violations when he used a physical education course to engage in off-ice conditioning with student-athletes before the first permissible practice date. According to the report, the coach encouraged men’s ice hockey student-athletes to enroll in an advanced conditioning course with a curriculum designed and taught by the head coach.

Due to their participation in this course, men’s ice hockey student-athletes engaged in athletically related activities outside of the institution’s declared playing season.

Fredonia State’s coach has taught the advanced conditioning course throughout his employment, which started in 1988. When the class was created, Fredonia State’s academic and athletic departments approved the class and it was, at that time, permissible under NCAA legislation. However, the legislation has since changed.

The Fredonia State Department of Athletics issued the following statement regarding the decision: “SUNY Fredonia accepts the findings of the NCAA’s investigation and the accompanying sanctions. The Fredonia State Department of Athletics notified the NCAA immediately after becoming aware of the issue, and the university handled the case promptly and appropriately. The NCAA noted in its report that the coach ‘took immediate responsibility … and at no point did he intentionally violate NCAA rules, nor did he hide his activity.’ The athletic department is enhancing its comprehensive compliance and educational program for department staff and taking other steps necessary to ensure continued compliance. The university is confident this situation will not be repeated. The Fredonia State Department of Athletics works diligently to support our student-athletes. We will use this moment to improve how we serve our student-athletes and the campus community.”

The COI issued the following sanctions and corrective measures:

• Two years of probation from June 16 through June 15, 2024.

• $1,500 fine.

• Suspend the head coach from all ice hockey-related activities for a three-month period,

• The head coach shall be subject to a one-year show-cause order.

• Fredonia State will delay the start of the men’s ice hockey team season by one week during the 2022-23 season (self-imposed by the university).

• The head coach shall not teach any course at Fredonia State (self-imposed by the university).