Eastern Washington University Athletics

Ben Gaus joined Eastern Washington as the Assoicate Athletic Director for Compliance in December of 2024, bringing 15 years of Division I athletics experience.

Before arriving in Cheney, Ben worked as the Director of Football Recruting Operations at the University of California-Berkeley from February of 2022 to August of 2023. Ben worked closely with the Cal athletic's compliance office to perform initial academic evaluations for NCAA and admissions reads of perspective football student-athletes. Additionally, Ben worked with compliance on academic evaluations, admission reads and initial eligibility. He also provided logistical support for all official and unofficial recruiting visits. 

Before moving to the Football Operations role, Ben worked in the Cal Athletics compliance department from 2015 to 2020. Ben moved up through the ranks in the office, starting as Assistant Director (2015-2017), then to Director (2017-2018) and finally to Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance (2018-2020). In his roles, Ben helped oversee and work the day-to-day operations of the compliance office. He was the lead contact for the football program and was the primary point person for the interpretation and rules education for all bylaws of all the sport programs. Ben was tasked with assessing, updating and enforcing compliance policies and procedures. He drafted and processed self-reports, along with waivers for the NCAA and Pac-12. Ben would assist in trouble-shooting student-service issues covering financial aid, housing and incoming student-athlete orientation. He would review and certify amateurism status with all incoming international students as well. 

Most recently in the compliance side of athletics, Ben's worked as the Associate Athletic Director of Compliance at Saint Mary's College from August 2021 to January of 2022. Ben helped provide interpretations of recruiting questions within the athletic department. He worked as the direct liaison between athletics and other departments on campus including the office of the president, general counsel, admissions, financial aid and international student office. Before moving to Saint Mary's, Ben worked as the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance for Football at the University of Washington (August 2020 - August 2021). At UW, Ben handled similar roles and responsibilities that held at Cal and Saint Mary's. 

Ben started his career in compliance at the UCLA, working as a intern from 2012 to 2013. He also spent time at UC Davis as a compliance coordinator from February of 2014 to September of 2015. 

Ben earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minored in Business at the University of Missouri. After earning his bachelor's degree, Ben earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence and Sports Law Certificate from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law.