Ad Disclosure
- The NCAA investigated a former Baylor employee for improper DFS contests
- Former director of resource development at Baylor University participated in impermissible DFS activity
- The employee played daily fantasy contests including professional and college games, which included Baylor student-athletes
The NCAA investigated a former Baylor employee for participating in improper gambling activity and found he played impermissible daily fantasy sports contests on professional and college games, including contests that included Baylor student-athletes or student-athletes competing against Baylor.
Sam Hancock, former director of resource development at Baylor University, played 2,950 contests from July 2019 through September 2024 for a total of $45,979 across three different DFS operators. According to the investigation, 113 of the contests involved Baylor University.
However, Hancock never impacted the integrity of the competitions and he did not utilize inside information to place any wagers.
Knew Actions Against NCAA Rules
The case originated Aug. 31, 2024, when Baylor received notification that Hancock participated in impermissible activity through the daily fantasy website PrizePicks. Baylor self-reported Hancock’s actions to the NCAA on Oct. 30, 2024.
“Hancock confirmed that he began participating in daily fantasy betting prior to starting his employment at Baylor and continued betting throughout his employment. Hancock acknowledged that his betting activity was limited to daily fantasy betting on three different platforms where he would bet on specific individuals to achieve certain benchmarks within a contest,” the NCAA revealed in its investigation.
Through the investigation, Hancock confirmed he knew his actions were against NCAA rules. He received rules education and training related to sports betting from Baylor, but acted alone without anyone’s knowledge.
According to data acquired from the DFS operators, the contests he played included professional and collegiate sports athletes, as well as student athletes from Baylor or those involved in contests where Baylor was participating.
The NCAA ordered a two-year show-cause order for Hancock from April 10, 2025, through April 9, 2027. During the period, any employing institution much require him to participate in gambling counseling and attend NCAA Regional Rules Seminars at his own expense. In addition, he will receive a two-week suspension during the first year of employment within the show-cause period, in which Hancock cannot participate in any athletics activities, including being present or communicating with development staff members, athletics staff members or student-athletes during the suspension period.
First Major Sports Betting Infraction Since January
This is the first major NCAA sports betting infraction released since January, in which the NCAA investigated Zachary Kelly, former director of equipment and services of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI)
Kelly placed impermissible bets on professional and collegiate games from September 2023 through January 2024, including a VMI men’s basketball game. The NCAA issued a three-year show-cause order for Kelly, in which any employing institution must restrict him from all athletically related activity during the period and a one-week suspension during the first year of employment during the show-cause period.
Robert is an expert on sports betting in the United States, specifically the legalization process and regulation surrounding the industry.
