Nicholls State University is part of the University of Louisiana System which is governed by the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors. Designated by the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 as one of the state's higher education management boards, the Board of Supervisors has direct responsibility for the overall operation of the institutions in the System [1]. The Board of Supervisors, in turn, delegates to the President the responsibility to administer the institution's programs, including intercollegiate athletics [2].

The President exercises administrative control over the intercollegiate athletics program by delegating responsibility to the Director of Athletics [3] who reports directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement [4]. In turn, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement reports directly to the President, as reflected in the University's organization chart [5]. The President also appoints an individual to serve on the Athletics Committee, a group that reports directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and acts in an advisory capacity on athletic issues [6].

The President exercises fiscal control over the intercollegiate athletics program through the process of development and execution of the budget as described in Comprehensive Standard 3.2.2 [7]. The operating budget, developed by the Vice President for Finance and Administration and his staff, includes funding for intercollegiate athletics and requires approval from the President prior to its submission to the Board of Supervisors.

As members of the Southland Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Nicholls complies with all NCAA regulations governing the administration of and fiscal authority for the intercollegiate athletics program as specified in the NCAA's Division I Manual, Article 6.1.1 and 6.2.1 [8].

The Colonel Club, Nicholls' athletic booster club, is not a separate 501 (C)(3). The Nicholls State University Foundation manages the assets of the Colonel Club. The Affiliation Agreement between the Foundation and the University outlines the relationship between the two entities [9]. It specifically states that the Foundation's mission is consistent with that of the University. In addition, the Nicholls' Gift Acceptance Policies and Procedures document clearly states that the University's President is responsible for fund-raising activities including those related to Athletics [10].