Welcome to UCI Compliance! We would like to stress the fact that we are here to make sure everyone that is part of 'Eater Nation enjoys their experience at UCI. Whenever you have questions please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. Here in the compliance office we want to ensure we are always communicating with you as athletes, parents, and fans, so everyone is up to date on everything coming from the NCAA. Institutional Control is the cornerstone of NCAA membership and compliance.  The principle of Institutional Control requires member institutions provide oversight and responsibility for the actions of all members of the Athletics Community.  As a Division I member institution, UC Irvine is firmly committed to the NCAA principle of institutional control. When conducting UCI's athletic program, it is always our policy to adhere to all NCAA, Big West Conference and UC Irvine rules and regulations. As a community, it is the obligation and responsibility of all of us here at UCI to act within all applicable rules and regulations at all times per NCAA bylaw 2.1.1. 


Meet the 2020-21 Compliance team!
 

Megan Nicholson, Ed.D.

Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance

4 years at UCI

Alma Mater:  Undergrad - Fresno State, Masters – Seattle University, Doctorate - USC

How did you get started in the profession and what brought you to UCI? 
- Grad internship at University of Washington hosting PAC12 (then PAC10) post season events
- 10+ yrs of DI Compliance experience
 
What is your favorite UCI moment or memory?
Sitting in the stands watching UCI Baseball with Skip and talking about life 
 
Where is your favorite place on UCI campus? Also favorite place in the Irvine/Newport area?
Sunset at Anteater Stadium or Aquatic Center during a match . . . dog beach or a trail with my 11 yr old schnauzer, Ascher 

There are too many great places in Newport and Irvine -- the beach, Balboa, golf courses, entertainment venues and restaurants, etc. – to name just one.

What is the best part about working at UCI? 
The relationships I have developed with my colleagues and the student-athletes

What do you find to be the most challenging part of the job that people might not realize? 
Summer actually tends to be my busiest and most stressful time of year
 
What is your favorite part of the job?
The relationships I get to build with people who are working and competing at the very top of their field. Elite coaches and student-athletes who I happen to be lucky enough to call friends & family

What are you most looking forward to in students returning to campus? 
I look forward to a time when the life and vibrancy of campus exists again
 
Who is your favorite professional team? 
Seattle Seahawks & Seattle Sounders . . . I worked with the owners for both teams when I was in grad school and really loved the culture of the organization from the top to bottom

What is something no one knows about you? 
I'm a big movie buff and will watch until I have all the lines memorized . . . especially if there's a book I can read first. Top 3 in no particular order:
- Lord of the Rings
- Princess Bride
- Count of Monte Cristo
 

Ashley Letrich

Compliance Coordinator

2 Years at UCI

Alma Mater: Santa Clara (Undergrad) and Gonzaga (Grad)

How did you get started in the profession and what brought you to UCI? 
I played collegiate water polo at SCU and went right into coaching water polo out of college.  I was coaching at CSUN when I got close to my compliance coordinator there.  Really enjoyed the field and decided to change my career path from coaching to administration.  I coached men's and women's water polo at Washington & Jefferson College for 1 year, then CSUN for 2 years.  I went on to work a little over a year at Loyola University of Chicago in Compliance and landed at UCI.  I missed California weather and was excited to be back at a Big West school.  

What is your favorite UCI moment or memory? 
Although I wasn't physically at the game, the moment UCI MBB won the first round game at the NCAA Tournament was so exciting to be a part of!
 
Where is your favorite place on UCI campus? Also favorite place in the Irvine/Newport area? 
Starbucks and Aldrich park.  I love coffee and it is so great to have it on campus and Aldrich park is so beautiful and peaceful.  I love Whiting Ranch hiking trail.  It is basically in my backyard and opens up to a ton of trails in the canyon.  
 
What is the best part about working at UCI? 
The community and coworkers.  They made me feel like family from the very start. 

What do you find to be the most challenging part of the job that people might not realize? 
Compliance is not an easy job and you tend to have to be the bad guy in some situations.  I wanted to continue in compliance to show coaches and staff that when we work together we can make situations better and find an outcome that can work. 

What is your favorite part of the job?
Working with the coaches (most of the time haha). I miss being out on the pool deck sometimes, so it is nice to be able to still have connections to that part of my life.  Also, it is a great feeling when you can help a coach or student-athlete out when they need it.  

What are you most looking forward to in returning to campus? 
Getting to see faces in person again!  I miss seeing everyone in the hallways and friendly faces.  
 
Who is your favorite professional team? 
Toss up between Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks
 
What is something no one knows about you? 
I was a competitive figure skater for about 13 years of my life and won state to go onto nationals.  No one ever knows because water polo is so opposite from skating.  
 

Aldee Winter

Compliance Coordinator

7.5 years and over 8.5 counting an internship at UCI

California Baptist University

How did you get started in the profession and what brought you to UCI? 
 I have always enjoyed collegiate athletics and wanted to pursue a career in it. I previously held a career in banking of 10 years before beginning at UCI.

What is your favorite UCI moment or memory? 
 When one of our coaches had given my then 18-month old daughter her first UCI tee. Then seeing her grow into it as a 5-year old; and subsequently growing out of it (being too big!) as an almost 8-year old. She still loves that shirt too.

Where is your favorite place on UCI campus? Also favorite place in the Irvine/Newport area? 
There's a spot on Crawford field in the way corner, where if you look perfectly, you can capture Anteater Stadium, the Bren, Cicerone Field, Crawford Court, SET Center, Anteater Tennis Courts, and Crawford Pool. I'd take a picture for you if we were on-campus; but basically it's just the perfect spot that encapsulates all of our sports in one quick glance. You'd never know it if you looked, unless you stopped to take it all in.

Favorite place would be Hotel Irvine; formerly the Hyatt; and formerly the Hilton. My dad worked at the Hilton/Hyatt for over 15 years when I was growing up. Every time I see that hotel, I remember all the Christmas holiday parties and events my dad took me to as a kid. 

What is the best part about working at UCI? 
Seeing and hearing of the successes of our student-athletes as they move on into the world. 

What do you find to be the most challenging part of the job that people might not realize? 
In compliance, sometimes having to say no to a student-athlete after exhausting multiple opportunities for a yes is tough.

What is your favorite part of the job?
Knowing you're part of a team.
 
Who is your favorite professional team? 
The  Angels.
 
What is something no one knows about you? 
I was hit by a car as a 6-year old, had multiple surgeries, had a month-long stay at a hospital; as well as months in rehabilitation and recovery. That hospital I did all of this at? UCI Medical Center.