Saint Joseph's University Brooklyn Athletic Director Megan Valentine is accused of NCAA and NACSB rule violations for falsely signing off on a student-athlete’s commitment to a summer collegiate baseball league. The player had been cut from the team in January 2024, making him ineligible, yet Valentine signed a commitment letter in May 2024, falsely claiming the player was still on the team.
The allegations made against St. Joseph’s University Brooklyn Athletic Director Megan Valentine are as follows:
Valentine allegedly impersonated a head coach and signed off on a student-athlete's commitment to a summer collegiate baseball league under false pretenses.
The player was cut from the team in January 2024, making him ineligible for the league, but Valentine falsely claimed he was still on the team in spring 2024.
Valentine signed the commitment letter on May 2, 2024, while the actual head coach was still under contract.
She allegedly signed off on the player's fall 2024 commitment, even though the player was undecided.
Valentine reportedly told the player to "seek mental help" when he was cut in January 2024.
Despite the player's ineligibility, Valentine allegedly signed the letter under pressure and threat of a lawsuit.
Valentine initially responded to our inquiries but did not respond to requests for further comment. She tried to get our reporters to “give up” their sources. When we first published, the university had not issued a statement.
Jessica McAleer Decatur
After the fact, the university responded through Jessica McAleer Decatur, Vice President for Marketing and Communications. Her response was a doozy.
As a spokesperson for St. Joseph's University, New York, I would like to respond:
The false accusations made against St. Joseph’s, New York Brooklyn Athletic Director Megan Valentine and the institution are grossly inaccurate and sensationalistic. This is irresponsible journalism on the part of investigative reporters Rick LaRivière and Dick LaFontaine, and we are demanding an immediate retraction of this piece. There is no such “Official NCAA Complaint against AD Valentine” as stated in this article and “Complaint Log ID 172047619” does not exist. Further, the slandering of our employees and institution, along with the use of the names and images of Ms. Valentine and Ms. Bell are inappropriate and defaming, of which is unacceptable. Again, we would like an immediate retraction of this piece, as there is no legitimacy to the story and the accusations made here are completely unfactual and untrue.
Your allegations are noted. We stand by our reporting and research. We will further investigate your claims and include our findings in a follow up article.
Thanks, Rick LaRivière
But Jessica McAleer Decatur had to push the issue. In her defense, she is just working as a media relations professional. We don’t just think - we know - she got lousy information from Megan Valentine. In any event, here is how she responded:
On 7/26/24 5:56 PM, Jessica McAleer wrote: Can you provide proof of the following?
•Official NCAA Complaint against AD Valentine
•Complaint Log ID 172047619
These things do not exist and it is highly unprofessional and irresponsible to report on false claims. This is slander and defamation of character, and without proof it is your obligation as a journalist to retract the article. Have you vetted these claims against NCAA? I believe the answer to that is no, because this is baseless and untrue.
To be clear, here is a list of what St. Joseph's University Brooklyn believes about the allegations against Athletic Director Megan Valentine and the conduct of this news outlet:
The claims reported do not exist and are false.
Reporting these false claims is unprofessional and irresponsible.
The article constitutes slander and defamation of character.
The journalists must retract the article due to lack of proof.
The claims were not vetted against the NCAA.
The accusations are baseless and untrue.
In response, WE SUPPLIED THE PROOF.
------- Forwarded Message ------- From: Rick LaRivière <RickLaRiviere@proton.me> Date: On Friday, July 26th, 2024 at 6:45 PM Subject: Re: Response to Substack article about SJNY (requires immediate attention!) To: jmcaleer@sjny.edu <jmcaleer@sjny.edu> CC: RALafontaine@protonmail.com <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>, richard.luthmann@protonmail.com <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>
With all due respect, AD Megan Valentine had her chance and not only was dishonest, but asked journalists for their sources.
The redacted NCAA Complaint (protecting one of our sources) is attached along with the NCAA's confirmation of receipt.
AD Valentine didn't say the NCAA complaint was baseless or dismissed. She said she couldn't comment. That's not a denial.
We also obtained the attached from a source showing AD Valentine listed as Head Coach for SJU Baseball. She is not. That it a lie. We even asked if it was a mistake, or if something else happened, like a rogue player "hacked the system." AD Valentine didn't respond.
Then a source told us about the "get mental help" statements made to the player cut in January, and it appears AD Valentine put the player into the summer league to limit her own liability and cover her own ass.
I'll be reasonable because I know you have a job to do. Unless we hear the real story from you, AD Valentine, or someone of authority at SJU, we run with your (demonstrably false) counter allegations and our proofs on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks, Rick LaRivière
Since our email, we have heard nothing from St. Joseph's University Brooklyn. We gave them ample time to respond. Maybe they are “Taking the Fifth.”
They aren’t “taking” any Commandments at the St. Joseph's University Brooklyn Athletic Department. What exactly are they teaching at the “Catholic” institution?
It’s been weeks and nothing from St. Joseph's University Brooklyn. Only crickets.
Will there be consequences for St. Joseph's University Brooklyn Athletic Director Megan Valentine’s dishonesty? Stay tuned for continuing coverage.
Crickets from St. Joseph’s University: AD's Dishonesty on the Diamond Met with Silence