June 25, 2009

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Jennifer Vining-Smith, assistant director of compliance the last two years at the Big Ten Conference, has been named assistant athletics director for compliance at the University of Notre Dame.

In that role, Vining-Smith will be responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day compliance operation within Irish athletics. She will develop, implement and monitor multiple systems and activities for NCAA, BIG EAST Conference and University rules compliance. She will provide and document interpretations of all NCAA and conference rules for the department – working within areas such as financial aid, promotional activities, recruiting, expenses and playing/practice seasons.

She will be responsible for working closely with campus partners on certification of athletic eligibility for all Notre Dame student-athletes, including initial, international, continuing and transfer eligibility. She also will arrange for regular meetings to educate coaches, student-athletes, staff and other support groups on legislative process and current compliance issues.

Vining-Smith replaces Lisa Deibler, who resigned in April after four years in that role to become director of athletics and recreation at Penn State Berks. Vining-Smith will begin her new duties July 1.

As part of her role at the Big Ten, Vining-Smith managed the league’s drug-testing program, served as a liaison to the sports medicine subcommittee and served as a liaison to the men’s swimming and diving coaches.

Prior to her two years with the Big Ten, Vining-Smith spent three years (2004-07) as assistant director of compliance at Northwestern University, preceded by a year (2003-04) as assistant compliance coordinator at Wayne State University. She spent 2002-03 as a compliance intern at the University of Louisville.

Vining-Smith is a 2000 graduate of Manchester (Ind.) College, with a degree in athletic training. She earned her master’s degree in sports administration from Louisville in 2003.

A native of Mishawka, Ind., Vining-Smith and her husband Jeremy Smith are parents of a son, Braedyn.

— ND —