After seeing his entire 2023 season wiped out as part of a group of college athletes charged with improperly placing sports betting wagers, DeShawn Hanika is aiming to right a wrong.
The Kansas Jayhawks tight end, who previously suited up for Iowa State, has partnered with sports betting watchdog Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) to educate young athletes, coaches, and others around collegiate sports about problematic gambling and consequences towards the integrity of the game.
Hanika, a senior, transferred to Kansas as a result of the scandal. While charges were eventually dismissed, he was alleged to have made over 280 bets.
Notably, the NCAA prohibits athletes from wagering on all sports and harshly punishes athletes for betting on their own school's athletics, something Hanika is alleged to have done around 70 times on Iowa State basketball games.
“This partnership with IC360 is a chance to turn my experience into a valuable lesson for others,” said Hanika via press release. “Some student-athletes might believe that betting on separate sports poses no risk, but my wake-up call can be a crucial educational moment to help others understand what’s at stake and prevent similar pitfalls.
“I appreciate IC360 for giving me the platform to spread my message and contribute to positive change.”
The tight end is set to feature for the University of Kansas this coming season, having spent the previous three seasons with the Cyclones, where he was a two-time Academic All-Conference Second Team selection.
Hanika set to pitch in on campus
According to the release, Hanika has worked alongside IC360 and the firm’s Education Team to create video content, as well as committing to speaking engagements where he will share his story and provide a resource to other athletes.
“We are proud to partner with DeShawn and provide him with a platform to share his experience and build on IC360’s vision to pioneer a new standard in integrity training and education integrity training within the sports industry," said Scott Sadin, IC360’s COO. “By blending lived experience solutions with cutting-edge technology, we're not just raising the bar—we're redefining it.”
