July 15, 2005

Kansas Releases Self Report To NCAA - Women's Basketball

July 15, 2005

Women’s Basketball Report in PDF Format
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SELF-REPORT OF VIOLATIONS

VIOLATION 1

During the summer of 2002, then University assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman made arrangements for prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX to receive housing and employment at Naismith Hall, an off-campus, privately owned dormitory used by the University’s women’s basketball student-athletes. The arrangement required that XXX and XXX work in the dining facility of the dormitory in exchange for the cost of housing and meals. The value of the work that XXX and XXX performed was insufficient to pay the cost for the time they lived at the dormitory.

NCAA BYLAW 13

13.2 OFFERS AND INDUCEMENTS

13.2.1 General Regulation. An institution’s staff member or any representative of its athletics interests shall not be involved, directly or indirectly, in making arrangements for or giving or offering to give any financial aid or other benefits to the prospect or the prospect’s relatives or friends, other than expressly permitted by NCAA regulations . . .

OVERVIEW

During the summer of 2002, then assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman contacted Jason Olds, general manager of Naismith Hall, an-off campus, privately owned housing facility for students, for the purpose of arranging housing for then prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX. Eatman also met with Darrin Dukart, food services manager for the complex, to inquire about employment opportunities for XXX and XXX to help pay for their housing and meal costs.

When XXX and XXX arrived on campus, Eatman introduced them to Olds and Dukart. XXX and XXX were supposed to work in the cafeteria at Naismith to offset the cost of their housing and meals. XXX worked only a few days and then quit. XXX reported that she worked a regular shift (four days per week) for approximately three weeks, but it was not enough to pay for the full cost of her housing and meals. XXX and XXX left the University owing money for their housing arrangement. Olds reported that he attempted to collect the debt from XXX and XXX but was unsuccessful. Additionally, XXX and XXX received rides from two enrolled women’s basketball student-athletes while they were living in the dormitory and while they were still prospective student-athletes.

CONCLUSION

The University’s investigation and assessment of the credibility of the information provided revealed that violations of NCAA Bylaw 13.2 occurred.

REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

During approximately July of 2002, Eatman contacted Jason Olds, general manager for Naismith Hall (a privately owned apartment facility located on the University’s campus) to inquire whether non-University students could reside at the property. Olds informed Eatman that while most of the residents were students at the University, there were past occasions where non-students had lived at the property. Olds added that there are no requirements that a resident of Naismith be enrolled at the University. At that time, Naismith housed a majority of the University’s women’s basketball team members.

Eatman later met with Olds and Darrin Dukart, food services manager for Naismith Hall. Eatman told Olds and Dukart that two nonqualifying women’s basketball prospects were going to be arriving on campus in August, and that they would need housing while studying for the standardized tests they needed to pass to gain eligibility at the University. According to Eatman, XXX and XXX were planning on taking the standardized tests in October and when they passed, they would each be eligible for athletically related financial aid and participation with the team, and each would continue living in Naismith Hall during the academic year.

Also during that meeting, Eatman asked Dukart whether he could employ XXX and XXX in the Naismith Hall cafeteria so that they could pay for their housing and food costs for the fall term. Olds and Dukart explained that the prospects would be required to fill out an application and qualify for employment the same as other employees. Olds and Dukart stated that at no time did Eatman ask for any special accommodation for the prospects’ housing or employment.

The rental rate at Naismith for XXX and XXX was the same rate that the athletics department paid Naismith Hall for housing its student-athletes, not the usual rental rate for a student or non-student living at the facility. The athletics rate was approximately 10 percent less than the non-athletics rate.

During the fall 2002 semester, XXX and XXX were assigned roommates who were members of the women’s basketball team. According to Olds, this occurred at the request of Eatman and former director of women’s basketball operations Maggie Mahood.

In late July 2002, when XXX and XXX arrived in Lawrence (two weeks apart), Eatman met each prospect at Naismith Hall and introduced them to Olds. Olds later introduced them to Dukart so that each could complete an application for employment. XXX and XXX each completed an application form and was later hired to work approximately 20 hours per week in the cafeteria beginning near the end of August.

XXX reported that she never worked in the cafeteria. XXX reported that she came to work for parts of the first four weeks that she lived in the complex but was not certain how many days she actually worked. According to employment records and Dukart, neither XXX nor XXX worked on more than two or three occasions.

XXX took the SAT in October 2002 and earned a score high enough so that when combined with her g.p.a., she satisfied NCAA initial-eligibility requirements. When XXX obtained her test score, she enrolled full-time at the University and began receiving financial aid. Beginning on October 15, 2002, XXX’s accommodations at the dormitory were paid for by her athletics financial aid agreement.

XXX never achieved a qualifying test score and left Lawrence in January 2003. She still owes Naismith approximately $1,600 for one semester of room and board.

VIOLATION 2

During the summer of 2002, then University assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman made arrangements for prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX to attend Kaplan Test Preparation Center to help them achieve scores on the standardized tests that would enable them to participate and receive institutional financial aid at the University.

NCAA BYLAW 13

13.2 OFFERS AND INDUCEMENTS

OVERVIEW

During the summer of 2002, then assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman contacted Theresa Richter, a representative at the Kaplan Testing Center, (Kaplan) to arrange for the enrollment of prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX in an ACT/SAT preparation program. Both prospective student-athletes had arrived in Lawrence prior to the beginning of the school year to begin living and training for the upcoming season, but were nonqualifiers based on their previous standardized test scores. They subsequently enrolled in the Kaplan courses to improve their test-taking skills and achieve higher scores on their upcoming standardized tests so that they would be eligible for participation in athletics and to receive institutional financial aid at the University.

In addition to the arrangements made by Eatman with Kaplan, XXX and XXX were provided with the books for the course at no charge by Richter.

CONCLUSION

The University’s investigation and assessment of the credibility of the information provided revealed that a violation of NCAA Bylaw 13.2 took place with respect to the arranged enrollment at Kaplan by Eatman. Additionally, the provision of course materials (books) by Richter, which was facilitated by Eatman without payment by XXX or XXX, was a service that Kaplan would not have provided to any student enrolled in the course.

REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

Enrollment at Kaplan

Prior to XXX’s and XXX’s arrival in Lawrence, Eatman contacted Richter to obtain information regarding the enrollment of XXX and XXX in an ACT/SAT test preparation course. Richter, who is no longer employed at Kaplan, reported that Eatman visited Kaplan on approximately three occasions prior to XXX’s and XXX’s enrollment, and called on one occasion to “check on the status of things.” Richter explained that during Eatman’s first visit, he simply inquired about the courses, while the two subsequent visits were to pick up and drop off “Sallie Mae” loan application forms for XXX and XXX so that they might receive financial aid for the cost of the course. Eatman acknowledged that he was at Kaplan “three or four times” on behalf of XXX and XXX.

Former director of women’s basketball operations Maggie Mahood reported that she also went to Kaplan on one occasion on behalf of XXX and XXX, but she did not recall the purpose of the visit. Richter did not recall Mahood’s visit.

XXX reported that she believed Eatman enrolled her in the Kaplan test prep course and then later explained to her where the classes were and when she needed to be there. XXX recalled that she went to one or two classes at Kaplan, but then stopped going. XXX explained that she did not feel as if she needed the extra work to pass the test.

XXX indicated that the first time they went to Kaplan, they “just signed up, like, put our name and number down and what class we needed,” and upon their second visit, they were required to “fill out some forms.” XXX reported that she did not go to many of the classes at Kaplan and guessed that she might have gone a total of four times.

Payment

XXX and XXX each stated that they did not pay for the course. Richter stated that they were allowed to attend the courses without paying upon enrollment because they had each applied for the loan through Sallie Mae (the federal student loan program) and that those funds would eventually cover the cost of the program. Richter added that Eatman never asked her or anyone else at Kaplan to make this accommodation, but that it was not a common practice of the program.

XXX and XXX reported that they never received the funds from the “Sallie Mae” loans. Further, Kaplan records indicate that Kaplan never received payments on behalf of either prospective student-athlete from any source. XXX and XXX each stated that they stopped attending the course after the first couple of class meetings. Further, there was no record that Kaplan ever pursued payment.

Books

Books for the course were provided free of charge to both XXX and XXX by Richter prior to the first class meeting. Richter reported that she provided “extra” copies of the books to XXX and XXX so that they would not fall behind in the courses while waiting for their loan applications to be processed through Sallie Mae. Richter originally reported that this practice was not different from what they would typically do for any other student enrolled in the courses. When asked later if any student in the course could receive the course books without paying, Richter said “no.”

According to Richter, neither Eatman nor any member of the University requested the use of the books. Richter reported that she provided the special accommodation to XXX and XXX on her own volition, but she had talked with Eatman about it.

Based on her conflicting answers concerning her treatment of any student in the same situation, the University believes that a violation of NCAA rules did occur when Richter provided the course materials to XXX and XXX prior to their payment for the course. The University believes that without Eatman visiting Kaplan on at least three occasions to assist the prospects with enrollment, Richter would not have provided the books to the prospects before payment for the course.

VIOLATION 3

During the late summer and early fall of 2002, prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX participated in out-of-season pickup games and workouts with then current members of the University’s women’s basketball team at University facilities. Additionally, XXX and XXX were permitted to utilize these facilities for their personal training, workouts and practices because of their status as prospective women’s basketball student-athletes.

NCAA BYLAW 13

13.2 OFFERS AND INDUCEMENTS

13.2.2 Specific Prohibitions. Specifically prohibited financial aid, benefits and arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following:
…
(g) Free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type;
…
(i) Use of an institution’s athletics equipment (e.g., for a high-school all-star game);

OVERVIEW

During the fall 2002 semester, and prior to the beginning of the women’s basketball season, XXX and XXX participated in out-of-season pickup games with members of the women’s basketball team in Allen Fieldhouse, Horesji Gymnasium and at the Robinson Student Recreation Center (Robinson). XXX and XXX also used these facilities for their own personal workouts, training and practice.

CONCLUSION

The University’s investigation and assessment of the credibility of the information provided revealed that a violation of NCAA Bylaw 13.2 occurred.

REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

XXX reported that during the last two weeks of August 2002, and prior to the official beginning of the NCAA women’s basketball practice, she would play pickup games, work out and practice shooting with then current student-athletes from the University’s women’s basketball team at Allen Fieldhouse. According to XXX, she was told by members of the women’s basketball coaching staff that the gym was reserved for members of the women’s basketball team and that she should come over to work out with them. After October 15, when the season officially began, XXX reported that on several occasions she would watch the team practice and then work out on her own on the floor after the team had completed practice. XXX did not recall whether there were coaches observing her while she practiced.

Former women’s basketball student-athlete XXX reported that neither XXX nor XXX participated in team workouts, but that the prospective student-athletes would scrimmage with the current student-athletes in either Allen Fieldhouse, Horesji Gym or Robinson in the afternoon after the student-athletes had finished class for the day. According to XXX, no coaches attended or monitored these sessions. Both XXX and XXX stated that the current student-athletes or one of the coaches would tell them when the “open gym” times were that they could go and work out with the team.

XXX added that she would often work out at Robinson and that the person at the desk would let her in, despite her not being a student at the University, when she notified them of her current status as a prospective women’s basketball student-athlete. XXX asserted that she only played at Robinson “once every two weeks” and that she would stay in shape by running and running stairs. There is no evidence that a coaching staff member arranged XXX’s and XXX’s use of Robinson gym.

Robinson is open for use by all students enrolled at the University, but closed to anyone outside the University community. Allen Fieldhouse and Horesji Gym are not open to the student body or members of the local Lawrence community.

VIOLATION 4

During the summer and fall of 2002, then University assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman made arrangements for transportation for prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX with former student-athletes XXX and XXX.

NCAA BYLAW 13

13.2 OFFERS AND INDUCEMENTS

OVERVIEW

On several occasions during the fall of 2002, then assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman requested former women’s basketball student-athlete XXX to transport prospective student-athletes XXX and XXX from the University’s campus (Naismith Hall) to the Kaplan Test Prep Center (several blocks from campus) for their SAT/ACT test preparation courses. XXX transported XXX and XXX on several occasions to Kaplan, as well as to other locations around Lawrence, because neither XXX nor XXX had a vehicle. Also, former women’s basketball student-athlete XXX provided rides to XXX and XXX while they were prospective student-athletes.

CONCLUSION

The University’s investigation and assessment of the credibility of the information provided revealed that a violation of NCAA Bylaw 13.2 occurred.

REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

XXX reported that Eatman asked her prior to XXX’s arrival in Lawrence to “take care of her and make her feel at home.” She added that Eatman asked her specifically to drop off and pick up XXX and XXX from their Kaplan courses. XXX estimated providing this service on approximately four occasions. XXX stated that she would typically provide rides for XXX and XXX to wherever they needed to go because neither of them had a vehicle.

XXX stated that XXX transported her and XXX to Kaplan on numerous occasions, and added that XXX, another former student-athlete, also provided them with transportation to Kaplan and around Lawrence. XXX confirmed that she transported XXX and XXX to and from Kaplan on at least one occasion; however, she was not directed by Eatman to do so.

Eatman denied having ever asked XXX or XXX or any student-athlete to transport XXX and XXX to and from the Kaplan testing center.

XXX reported that she did not recall being transported to the Kaplan offices by XXX or XXX, and believed that she and XXX took a bus between campus and Kaplan.

VIOLATION 5

During the fall semester of 2002, then University assistant women’s basketball coaches Tim Eatman and Lynette Woodard provided transportation to prospective student-athlete XXX on two separate occasions to a location on the University’s campus where XXX was scheduled to take a standardized test.

NCAA BYLAW 13

13.2 OFFERS AND INDUCEMENTS

OVERVIEW

On two occasions, assistant women’s basketball coach Tim Eatman and/or Lynette Woodard provided transportation for prospective student-athlete XXX to a location on the University’s campus where she was scheduled to take a standardized test.

CONCLUSION

The University’s investigation and assessment of the credibility of the information provided revealed that a violation of NCAA Bylaw 13.2 occurred.

REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

Eatman admitted that he drove XXX to the University testing center on one occasion and that Woodard also transported XXX to a testing location on one occasion. He added that on the occasion Woodard took XXX to the testing location, it was because XXX could not find the building where the test was being given and was going to be late for the start of the test unless someone went on campus to get her.

Woodard was not available for an interview.

XXX stated that Eatman picked her up at Naismith Hall on the morning of one of her tests and took her to the location on campus where it was being administered. (XXX did not state how many times this occurred, nor did she reference having ever received a ride from Woodard.) She also stated that Eatman drove her between the gym and her dorm “a couple of times.”

Eatman denied the additional rides between the gym and the dorm.

XXX stated that no member of the coaching staff ever provided transportation for her during the summer or fall of 2002.