The Indiana University's men's head tennis coach Randy Bloemendaal has been fired.
According to a press release, Bloemendaal's dismissal stems from violations of both the NCAA rules and IU Athletics department policies.
Earlier this month, members of the tennis team approached compliance staff in person to report the violations. Others reported anonymously.
After an investigation by athletics officials, IU reported the violations to the NCAA which included mandatory summer workout sessions and a week of practice during the academic year with no day off.
Additionally, the investigation found that Bloemendaal attempted to interfere with student-athletes reporting NCAA violations to staff and did not "appropriately defer to the judgment of the medical staff regarding student-athletes' ability to participate in athletic activity."
After the investigation, IU Athletics Director Fred Glass met with Bloemendaal to address the reports November 20 and dismissed Bloemendaal November 21. The report indicates Sander Koning, the assistant coach, was also fired.
"While the Secondary/Level III NCAA violations in this matter are certainly concerning, by themselves they would not have led me to terminate Coach Bloemendaal's contract," Glass said in a statement. "I terminated his employment because the investigation's conclusions that he attempted to interfere with student-athletes reporting potential NCAA violations and that he did not appropriately defer to the judgment of the medical staff are completely contrary to the clear, repeatedly expressed expectations and values of me, this department, and Indiana University. I commend the student-athletes involved for bringing this situation to our attention."
Bloemendaal was the head's men tennis coach for 8 years up to his dismissal. A search for his replacement is set to begin immediately, and, in the meantime, Associate Athletic Director Jeremy Gray will oversee the program.
Below is a copy of IU's self-report of the infractions to the NCAA.
