NCAA: KU violations ‘egregious’
The NCAA struck back at Kansas and its men’s basketball program Thursday, calling five Level I violations that are alleged to have occurred “egregious” and arguing that they undermine and threaten college athletics.
In the latest in a series of back-andforth filings, the NCAA reiterated in a 92-page response its claim that Adidas representatives were acting as boosters when two of them — T.J. Gassnolo and Jim Gatto — helped to arrange payments to prospective recruits. Those transactions became a central point in a wide-ranging FBI probe into college basketball that has ensnared Kansas, Louisville and several other high-profile programs.
“The institution secured significant recruiting and competitive advantages by committing alleged Level I violations,” the NCAA said. “The institution, in taking its defiant posture in this case, is indifferent to how alleged violations may have adversely impacted other NCAA institutions who acted in compliance with NCAA legislation.”
Officials from Kansas have said they agree with the NCAA that Gassnola made payments to family members and handlers of two players, Billy Preston and Silvio De Sousa. But coach Bill Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend said they were unaware of the transactions, backing up a statement Gassnola made during sworn testimony.
But the NCAA countered with video and text documents that tie Self, Townsend and another assistant coach, Jerrance Howard, to Gassnola within the last five years. The governing body also pointed out that Adidas paid about $250,000 for an induction party for Self when he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
This evidence, the NCAA argues, is “overwhelming factual information that demonstrates Adidas, Gassnola and Gatto promoted the institutions interests and, therefore, are boosters.”
“The NCAA enforcement staff’s reply does not in any way change the University of Kansas’ position that the allegations are simply baseless and littered with false representations,” the school said. in a statement Thursday.”
The initial notice of allegations was filed in September.
In the response, the NCAA laid out its belief that a hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions — which has yet to be scheduled — could decide some of the sticking points in the case.
East Tennessee State promoted Jason Shay to fill the head coaching vacancy that arose when Steve Forbes left for Wake Forest. Shay was an assistant on Forbes’ staff at ETSU the last five seasons. The Buccaneers went 130-43 during that time for the program’s best record over a five-year stretch.
Golf: The next match involving Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson involves a $10 million donation for COVID-19 relief efforts, along with plenty of bragging rights in a star-powered foursome May 24 at Woods’ home course, Medalist Golf Club in Florida. Turner Sports announced more details for “The Match: Champions for Charity,” a televised match between Woods and Peyton Manning against Mickelson and Tom Brady. WarnerMedia and the four players will collectively make a charitable donation of $10 million to benefit various relief efforts.
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