Former University of Wisconsin-Platteville athletic director Michael Knipe was fired after an investigation found that he violated procurement rules, made unauthorized financial decisions and used university funds for personal purchases.
According to WKOW, the findings were based on interviews with nearly 30 witnesses, including coaches and administrators. Investigators also reviewed emails, financial records and invoices.
The investigation was commissioned by UW-Platteville and conducted by the Universities of Wisconsin Administration Office of Compliance and Integrity. Officials began looking into Knipe after receiving a $423,965 invoice from a vendor that had no contact with the university and had not gone through the competitive bidding process.
Knipe was placed on paid administrative leave days later and was terminated Dec. 22, 2025.
Knipe was also found to have attempted to bypass the university financial process, as well as to have used university credit cards for personal items.
In a rebuttal to the university's investigation, Knipe wrote, "the Report lacks important context, omits important information, and seeks to lay blame on me for systemic failures and oversights."
