Syracuse University’s Office of the University General Counsel today announced that Mark Wheeler has been appointed the University’s next director of athletic compliance.
Mark Wheeler
Today’s announcement comes after a comprehensive nationwide search. Wheeler, who most recently served as director of compliance at Boise State University in Idaho, succeeds Erlease Wagner, who departed the University earlier this month to pursue a new career opportunity. Wheeler assumed his new role on Thursday, Oct. 15.
“Mark’s legal background, combined with his experience in athletic compliance at Boise State and The Ohio State University [OSU], positions him to be an immediate asset to Syracuse University,” says Daniel J. French, interim University General Counsel. “Mark is keenly aware of the importance of fully developing our student-athletes, on and off the field. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the athletics department and our student-athletes receive comprehensive guidance in an increasingly complicated regulatory environment. I’m confident that Mark will continue to help ensure we get it right.”
In his new role, Wheeler will be tasked with directing the University’s compliance program, managing the day-to-day operation of the Office of Athletic Compliance and supervising the office’s team of compliance coordinators.
“Syracuse University is among the premier athletics programs in the country, and it is an honor to be selected to play a role in its future,” Wheeler says. “When I think about Syracuse, I think of academic excellence, elite student-athletes, and renowned coaches and coaching staffs. I am eager to partner with all of Athletics’ constituencies in the weeks and months ahead to continue enhancing the University’s reputation as a leader in developing high-caliber student-athletes.”
While at Boise State, Wheeler oversaw all compliance activities, including providing rules interpretations to coaches, staff and student-athletes; tracking, analyzing and communicating all new NCAA proposals and legislations; and collaborating with the University’s Registrar’s Office to review academic certification for all student-athletes prior to the start of each semester. He was also instrumental in developing the athletics department’s policy for permanent and total disability insurance and loss-of-value coverage, and athletic equipment. Wheeler also spearheaded an effort to institute new policies and monitoring processes in a variety of areas, such as outside competition and prize money, and complimentary admissions.
Prior to joining the Boise State Office of Compliance, Wheeler was assistant director of compliance at OSU and, before that, held compliance positions at Pepperdine University and Brigham Young University (BYU).
Wheeler earned a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in management from BYU’s Marriott School of Management.
