FOR RELEASE CONTACT:

After 4 p.m. (Central Daylight Time) S. David Berst

May 4, 1987 NCAA Director of Enforcement

CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO, INFRACTIONS REPORT

By the NCAA Committee on Infractions

MISSION, KANSAS--The report is organized as follows:

I. Introduction.

II. Violations of NCAA regulations as determined by the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

III. Committee on Infractions Penalties.

I. Introduction.

During the course of an investigation into possible violations in a men's basketball program at another institution, attention was drawn to possible violations in the men's basketball program at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The violations were of two types: (a) the head coach violated the provisions regarding tryouts by both personally observing prospective student- athletes in basketball pick-up games with current players and having members of the team who participated assist him in determining whether to award financial aid, and (b) the head coach allowed members of the men's basketball team to become involved in basketball practice prior to October 15 by participating in certain basketball activities during a physical education course in basketball. These activities took place openly and with the knowledge of the institution for many years.

The NCAA's investigation of this case was lengthened and unduly complicated by the fact that the men's head basketball coach gave incomplete and misleading information to the institution's administration, and neither the coach nor the director of athletics knew or understood the appropriate NCAA rules and regulations.

During the course of the investigation, the head coach resigned and has suffered a very substantial financial penalty.

II. Violations of NCAA regulations as determined by the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

A. Violation of the tryout rule [NCAA Bylaw 1-6-(a)].

During the springs of 1983, 1984 and 1985, then men's head basketball coach evaluated the basketball skills of several prospective student- athletes while viewing these prospects during pick-up basketball games on the university's campus with members of the university's basketball team during the prospects' official paid visits; further, on several of these occasions, members of the university's basketball coaching staff arranged these tryouts by encouraging the prospects to bring their workout clothing to campus in the event of an opportunity to "shoot around." These pick-up games occurred over a long period of time, and athletics administrators should have been in a position to discover and correct this practice.

B. Violation of the out-of- season practice legislation [NCAA Bylaw 3-1-(a)-(1) and O.I. 304].

In the fall of 1985, and for many years prior, then men's head basketball coach and other members of the university's basketball coaching staff conducted preseason basketball practices on the university's campus during and after conducting a class (PEM 183). Specifically, prior to October 15, a coaching staff member conducted this basketball and physical conditioning class, which was mandatory for all members of the university's basketball team, and following the class, team members were issued basketballs and scrimmage vests, divided into groups by position and participated in various basketball drills and scrimmages while being observed for short periods of time by coaching staff members, and finally, after October 15, the class became a part of the practice sessions for the university's basketball team, and only those individuals who were members of the university's basketball team participated. This course was not monitored by the athletics administration sufficiently to ensure that the class was conducted in accordance with NCAA requirements concerning out-of- season practice.

C. Violation of the principles governing institutional control [NCAA Constitution 3-2].

Over a substantial period of time, there were repeated failures to exercise adequate institutional controls over the administration of the athletics program, specifically in the areas of physical education classes taught by men's basketball coaching staff members and workout activities involving prospective student-athletes during their official paid visits.

III. Committee on Infractions Penalties.

A. Former men's head basketball coach shall be publicly reprimanded for his part in violations of NCAA regulations as set forth in this report.

B. The institution shall be placed on probation for a period of one year from the date these penalties are imposed, which shall be the date the 15-day appeal period expires or the date the university notifies the executive director that it will not appeal to the NCAA Council, whichever is earlier, or the date established by Council action as a result of an appeal by the university to the Council. During this probationary period, the university shall be required to demonstrate in writing that it is in full compliance with NCAA legislation (particularly concerning out-of-season practice regulations in men's basketball and tryouts), and that it has in place a program for educating its athletics staff concerning NCAA legislation.

[NOTE: Should California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, appeal either the findings of violations or any of the proposed penalties to the NCAA Council subcommittee of Division I members, the Committee on Infractions will submit an expanded infractions report to the members of the Council who will consider the appeal. This report will include additional information in accordance with Section 6 of the Official Procedure Governing the NCAA Enforcement Program, and a copy will be provided to you prior to the institution's hearing.

Also, the Committee on Infractions wishes to advise the university that when the penalties and corrective actions, as determined by the committee or Council subcommittee, become effective, the university shall take every precaution to ensure that their terms are observed. Further, the committee intends to monitor the penalties during their effective periods, and any action contrary to the terms of any of the penalties shall be considered grounds for extending the university's probationary period, as well as to consider more severe sanctions in the case.]

NCAA COMMITTEE ON INFRACTIONS

M. Minnette Massey

Thomas J. Niland Jr.

Frank J. Remington (chair)

Milton R. Schroeder

D. Alan Williams

Marilyn V. Yarbrough FJR:cg

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