A concern shared by many in the world of college sports is the increasing prevalence of sports betting.
At the NCAA convention on Wednesday, hundreds of executives from all three divisions gathered for a roundtable discussion on the topic. The featured educational session focused on the sports betting landscape in college sports, its risks, and practical safeguards campus leaders must consider.
Moderated by Clint Hangebrauck, NCAA managing director of enterprise risk management, the session featured a panel of experts: Teresa Fiore, vice president of partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, with whom the NCAA has partnered to provide member schools with a free sports gambling harm prevention program; Dr. Timothy W. Fong, professor of psychiatry at UCLA and co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program; Jonathan Hirshler, co-founder and CEO of Signify Group; and Mark Hicks, executive director of enforcement at the NCAA. (See below for full bio)
The discussion touched on some of the NCAA’s recent efforts in the sports betting space, including the following:
Additionally, attendees got a sneak peek at the NCAA’s “Draw the Line” messaging campaign. The new slogan will launch in March to align with Problem Gambling Awareness Month and March Madness, one of the most popular sports betting events in the country.
The discussion
The panelists
Teresa Fiore, Vice President of Partnerships, EPIC Global Solutions
Teresa Fiore is vice president of partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to minimizing gambling-related harm. Fiore’s experience in responsible gaming spans the public and private sectors, including with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and PointsBet, an online sports betting site.
Fiore received her bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts. She is currently pursuing an MBA at Boston University. Outside of work, Fiore enjoys exploring her native New England with family, friends, and her beloved dog.
Dr. Timothy W. Fong, professor of psychiatry; Co-Director, UCLA Gaming Studies Program
Dr. Timothy Fong is a professor of psychiatry at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. He is also co-director of the UCLA Gaming Studies Program, which examines the clinical features of gaming disorders to develop effective, evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.
Fong is also a member of the steering committee of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, whose mission is to answer the most pressing questions related to the impact of cannabis legalization through rigorous scientific study and interdisciplinary discourse . He also provides substance abuse and mental health services for the UCLA Sports Psychiatry Department. Fong received his Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Northwestern.
Clint Hangebrauck, Managing Director of Enterprise Risk Management, NCAA
Clint Hangebrauck is the managing director of enterprise risk management at the NCAA. Among other risk management duties, he provides leadership for the NCAA’s sports betting harm prevention efforts, including managing the relationship with EPIC Risk Management, the NCAA’s sports betting harm prevention partner. NCAA.
Prior to his current position, Hangebrauck served in quality control and auditing roles in the NCAA national office. Prior to joining the NCAA, he held various risk consulting positions at a CPA firm and a Fortune 50 company.
Hangebrauck is a graduate of the Purdue Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. School of Business. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoying the great outdoors.
Jonathan Hirshler, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Signify Group
Jonathan Hirshler is co-founder and CEO of Signify Group, an ethical data science company based in London. Hirshler’s role draws on 25 years of experience at the intersection of politics, online messaging and digital strategy.
Since 2019, Hirshler has led the development and deployment of Signify’s specialized AI-based proactive threat detection and protection service, called Threat Matrix. Threat Matrix is an initiative to protect gamers, athletes and high-profile personalities from online abuse. The service works with international federations, national leagues, players’ unions, clubs, law enforcement and athletes to create concrete action and an effective deterrent. Hirshler holds a Bachelor of Science in Politics and History from Brunel University, London.
Mark Hicks, Managing Director of Enforcement, NCAA
Mark Hicks, the app’s general manager since January 2014, oversees the app’s internal operations and sport-specific development initiatives, which include football and basketball, baseball, athletics and sports betting. of the application. He also manages the application’s certification processes and is active in the NCAA governance process, working with various committees and initiatives.
Prior to working in law enforcement, Hicks helped found the NCAA Eligibility Center, serving as Director of Amateurism (2012-13) and Associate Director of High School Review (2007- 12). He also worked in the NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs Department from 2006 to 2007. A veteran educator for nearly 10 years, Hicks taught high school English and coached football at the college and high school levels. He has published articles on the issue of academic fraud and initial NCAA eligibility. He is a native of North Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He earned a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School.