Completed Event: Track & Field at Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship on May 15, 2026 , , T-13th of 13
T-F
Final
James Madison
at Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship
T-13th of 13
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Staff Directory
Stephen LaPorta
- Title:
- Associate A.D. for Governance and Talent Management
AREAS OF SUPERVISION – Compliance, Name, Image & Likeness SPORT OVERSIGHT – Field Hockey
- Email:
- Phone:
- 540-568-7357
- Physical Address:
- Godwin 103C (261 Bluestone Dr.) / MSC 2301
Stephen LaPorta serves as JMU Athletics' Associate Athletics Director for Governance and Talent Management, providing strategic leadership in the areas of NCAA compliance, governance, talent management, and name, image and likeness (NIL). In his role, LaPorta oversees the athletics compliance office, leads the department's NIL strategy, works collaboratively with all sport programs on roster retention and recruiting strategies, and helps guide the implementation of the House settlement, including revenue-sharing agreements with student-athletes. He also serves as the sport administrator for JMU's nationally recognized field hockey program.
LaPorta has been a member of the JMU Athletics staff since 2010 and has served in a variety of roles within the compliance office. After beginning his tenure as an assistant in the compliance department, he was promoted to Director of Compliance in 2014 before assuming leadership of the office as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance in 2016. In 2024, his responsibilities expanded to include oversight of the department's NIL strategy, and he was later elevated to his current role overseeing governance and talent management initiatives.
Throughout his career, LaPorta has played a key role in ensuring institutional compliance with NCAA legislation, developing comprehensive rules education programs, guiding eligibility and financial aid processes, and assisting coaches and staff in navigating an evolving collegiate athletics landscape. He has also led internal program review efforts and served as a departmental resource in the interpretation and application of NCAA, conference, and university policies.
Beyond his responsibilities at JMU, LaPorta has been actively involved in national governance and compliance initiatives. He previously served on the NCAA Committee for Legislative Relief, including five years as chair, and was a member of the NCAA Legislative Committee. Prior to joining JMU, he spent a year as a compliance intern at Virginia Tech.
A two-time graduate of James Madison University, LaPorta earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management in 2009 before completing a Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Leadership in 2012. He also earned National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Educational Certification in 2014.
LaPorta resides in the Harrisonburg area with his wife, Kristin.
Sunday, May 10
Friday, May 08
Wednesday, May 06
Wednesday, May 06
