Hanika’s decision to bet on various sports using his mother’s account, albeit seemingly harmless to him at the time, would lead to significant consequences, including missed games, legal troubles, and a transfer to Kansas.
DeShawn Hanika’s Fall from Grace: A Betting Scandal Unfolds
The scandal began to unravel in March 2023 when Hanika was approached by a member of the Story County prosecutor’s office following a workout. To his surprise, the inquiry was not about his landlord’s recent arrest, as he initially thought, but about his own Iowa sports betting activities.
Hanika, who had placed nearly 300 bets over a nine-month period using his mother’s account, found himself in violation of NCAA rules, which strictly prohibit athletes from betting on any sports. The charges of tampering with records that followed, though later dismissed, underscored the severity of his actions.
“I figured I’m not betting on myself, I’m not betting on my team. I am not hurting nobody,”
Hanika recalled, reflecting on his mindset at the time. However, his lack of awareness regarding the legal implications of his actions cost him dearly.
Despite the charges being dropped due to procedural delays, Hanika’s collegiate career was already significantly impacted. He did not play a single game in the 2023 season and ultimately decided to transfer to Kansas to continue his football career.
Unfortunately, an Achilles tendon injury in April 2024 further jeopardized his playing prospects for the upcoming season. Nonetheless, Hanika’s story didn’t end with his athletic setbacks. Instead, he chose to transform his mistakes into a learning opportunity for others.
Turning Mistakes into a Mission: Hanika’s Advocacy Work with IC360
Recognizing the potential for his experience to serve as a cautionary example, Hanika partnered with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), a technology company specializing in sports wagering integrity and compliance. IC360’s mission is to educate athletes, coaches, and collegiate sports administrators on the risks and regulations surrounding sports betting.
“This partnership with IC360 is a chance to turn my experience into a valuable lesson for others,”
Hanika stated in a press release. Through this collaboration, Hanika aims to raise awareness about the consequences of violating betting rules and to prevent other athletes from making similar mistakes.
As part of his role with IC360, Hanika has created educational video content and committed to speaking engagements where he shares his story and the lessons learned from his experience. “I had to swallow my pride a little bit, and that was a big step for me,” Hanika admitted, acknowledging the difficulty of confronting his past actions head-on. But his message is clear: even seemingly innocuous bets can have far-reaching repercussions, both legally and professionally.
IC360’s educational efforts, which include traveling across the country to conduct training sessions, have been bolstered by Hanika’s involvement. His firsthand experience with the ramifications of sports betting violations provides a unique perspective that resonates with college athletes.
“DeShawn’s willingness to share his experience and articulate the impact his wagering investigation has had and continues to have on his career, relationships, and well-being will provide a current and unique example to NCAA athletes across the collegiate landscape,”
said Mark Potter, co-managing director of education and training at IC360.
