March 3, 2011 - 4:33pm
In aftermath of NCAA investigation, Compliance Director Van Horn leaves 'U'
BY STEPHANIE STEINBERG
Associate Athletic Director Judy Van Horn is leaving her position in the University’s Athletic Department and is taking a job as a senior associate athletic director for the University of South Carolina, according to an internal announcement on Friday.
Van Horn, the Athletic Department's senior woman administrator, directed the athletics compliance department and worked at the University for the last nine years. During the past 14 months, Van Horn worked closely with the NCAA on its investigation of the Michigan football program.
In May, the University announced self-imposed sanctions, and Van Horn was one of seven individuals who received letters of reprimand and was held responsible for the violations.
The NCAA completed its investigation earlier this month and decided to place the University's football program on a three-year probation. As part of the penalties, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez must attend the 2011 NCAA Regional Rules Seminar, and the University has reduced the football team's practice time by 130 hours.
Van Horn spoke before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in a hearing in August. While the committee pointed out discrepancies in reports from the football program and the compliance department, Van Horn was not deemed to be at fault in the final NCAA report.
In a statement released Friday, Athletic Director David Brandon wrote that Van Horn “served the University of Michigan well” during her time in the Athletic Department.
“We wish Judy well in her new career pursuit,” he wrote.
In a separate statement from the University of South Carolina, Van Horn wrote that she is looking forward to working with the school’s athletics department.
“This is a fabulous opportunity for me and my family,” Van Horn wrote. “I am excited to be joining an institution which holds its academic and athletics standards at such a high level.”
According to the statement, Van Horn will be in charge of enforcing NCAA policies in addition to overseeing South Carolina’s sports programs.
Before her position at the University of Michigan, Van Horn worked for four years in Michigan State University’s Athletics Department and eight years in Central Michigan University’s Athletic Department.
In May, Van Horn — a past president of the National Association for Athletics Compliance — received the 2010 Frank Kara Leadership Award for her leadership and efforts to promote compliance programs.
Van Horn’s replacement at the University of Michigan has not been named.
