Nicholls has completed the probationary period set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the fraudulent academic activities that occurred in 2004. The Nicholls football team fell under suspicion of academic fraud. Following an intense investigation by the NCAA, stiff penalties were issued to Nicholls athletics.

According to NCAA reports, coaches and academic advisers of the football team were helping athletes take tests and engaging in other fraudulent activities.

As part of the penalties, the NCAA limited scholarships available in the football program and televised games for the duration of the probationary period.

“None of us who learned of the facts surrounding the academic fraud incident of 2004 could bring ourselves to believe that coaching and academic advising staff could act so dishonestly and with so little personal integrity,” University President Stephen Hulbert said.

All coaches and academic advising faculty involved in the incident either resigned or were terminated after the investigation.

Following the penalties issued by the NCAA, Nicholls appointed a compliance officer. The compliance official was placed in charge of preventing further violations by assisting the coaches with matters regarding NCAA compliance.

Another strategy Nicholls has implemented to secure the integrity of the Athletics Department is the moving athlete advising to advisers in University College, instead of having advising take place in the Athletics Department.