Cornell University Athletics

• Serves as the primary point of contact for the Athletic Compliance Office and directs the day to day implementation of all compliance related activities for the department of Athletics and Physical Education. 

• Ensures that all athletic activities are not in violation of NCAA, ECAC, Ivy League and institutional rules and reports violations. Investigates possible rules violations, advises the athletic director regarding appropriate actions, and prepares and submits reports to the NCAA or Ivy League offices. 

• Directs the Athletic Compliance Office’s ongoing rules education/training for coaches, staff and alumni through periodic presentations and written materials, with support from Assistant Director for Compliance. 

• Oversees all components of the Athletic Compliance Office’s daily compliance function including, but not limited to, matters relative to initial and continuing eligibility, recruiting, amateurism, practice and playing seasons, awards and benefits, and personnel. 

• In consultation with the Senior Deputy AD, designs, implements, evaluates, and modifies systems and procedures to ensure compliance with NCAA, ECAC, Ivy League, institutional or other governing body standards and to accommodate changes in legislation and opportunities for improvement in intercollegiate athletics including, but not limited to, incoming & returning eligibility, NCAA eligibility center, satisfactory progress, eligibility extensions, transfer regulations, financial aid, and recruitment.  

• Advises the athletic director and other senior leadership staff regarding NCAA and Ivy League legislative proposals. Attends NCAA and Ivy League meetings as requested. 

• Consults and partners with Risk Management and Insurance and/or Human Resources on policy changes and development, to ensure departmental policies relative to athletics compliance are consistent with standing university policies and procedures. 

• Collaborates with department and campus partners throughout the University (e.g., the admissions’, registrars' and financial aid offices) in the institution's compliance efforts.  Understand financial aid and admissions procedures relative to institutional and Ivy policies to provide assistance to Senior Deputy AD with main responsibilities in these areas. 

• Supports the Institution's NIL efforts by reviewing disclosures to ensure that NIL deals proposed by student-athletes meet the institution’s NIL policy and will not negatively impact their eligibility.   

• Oversees the compliance of recruiting personnel and activities, including ensuring that only permissible recruiters conduct off-campus recruiting. 

• Partners with athletic training staff to complete NCAA drug testing requirements for student-athletes. 

Years at Cornell: 13
At Cornell: Turker is responsible for all areas of NCAA compliance for the Big Red’s entire athletics department. After joining his alma mater in 2012, he served as assistant director of compliance while earning an increasing responsibility ever since. A former captain of the Big Red golf team and 2006 Cornell graduate, Turker earned his law degree in 2009 from Washington University and his LLM in Taxation a year later. He currently serves as the Ivy League liaison to the women’s golf coaches after previously holding a similar role with the men, with whom he still serves as Tournament Director for the Ivy League Men’s Golf Championship. Turker’s sports supervision oversight will include wrestling and both the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.