University of Lynchburg

Following a collaborative process between University of Lynchburg, the NCAA, and the Division III Committee on Infractions (COI), the COI on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 released a negotiated resolution associated with a rules violation related to financial aid and recruiting within the institution.
University of Lynchburg, the NCAA and the COI agreed to the following violation:

1. The University utilized one financial aid packaging method in Fall 2021 before switching to a different method for Spring 2022.
2. This change in process, midway through the academic year, inadvertently created a result in which student-athletes received a higher percentage of need met through institutional aid than non athletes, which the NCAA classified as a violation.
3. The NCAA concluded that this financial aid issue from the 2021-22 academic year was inadvertent and unintentional, confirming that the athletics department was not involved.

As a result of violations, the COI imposed the following penalties that represent the minimum allowed:

• A public reprimand through the release of the negotiated resolution agreement
• One year of probation which includes a Level II financial review
• A financial penalty of $1,500

Here is a link to LSBDI information: Lynchburg Infraction

Statement from Alison Morrison-Shetlar, President and Jon Waters, Director of Athletics, University of Lynchburg.
“We are thankful that we were able to reach a negotiated resolution with the NCAA Committee on Infractions around the 2021-22 financial aid process in a manner that does not negatively impact our student-athletes or programs. 
As difficult as the process of full evaluation has been, it is reassuring to know that the anomaly in the 2022-23 reporting cycle was determined to be unintentional and inadvertent, and the byproduct of a mid-year adjustment in our packaging processes in the year coming out of COVID. 
We remain committed to providing a transformational, Championship-Level experience for our students and will continue to uphold the principles that make Division III athletics such a great option for developing the well rounded successful leaders of tomorrow.”