LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The University of Kansas received a notice of allegations from the NCAA on Monday that alleges significant violations within its storied mens basketball program, including a responsibility charge leveled against Hall of Fame coach Bill Self.
The notice includes three Level 1 violations tied primarily to recruiting and cites a lack of institutional control. It also includes notice of a secondary violation in football tied to then-coach David Beaty that involved the use of an extra coach during practice.
While the document does not go into detail about what the basketball program is accused of doing, Kansas was among the most prominent programs swept up in an NCAA probe into a pay-for-play scheme that began with an FBI investigation into apparel company Adidas. A former Adidas employee testified that he made payments to the family of one Kansas recruit and the guardian of a current player. Text messages presented in court revealed a close relationship between Self and the Adidas employee.
The school said in a statement that it strongly disagrees with the assertion that it lacks institutional control. In fact, the university believes the record will demonstrate just the opposite.
The University of Kansas has high standards of ethical conduct for all our employees, and we take seriously any conduct that is antithetical to our values and missions, Kansas chancellor Doug Girod said. While we will accept responsibility for proven violations of NCAA bylaws, we will not shy from forcefully pushing back on allegations that the facts simply do not substantiate.
Girod also said that the school would stand firmly behind coach Self, who delivered its fifth national championship in 2008 and has a team that could contend for another title this season.
The NCAAs Stacey Osburn declined to comment on current, pending or ongoing investigations.
I have always taken pride in my commitment to rules compliance and led programs that operate with integrity, Self said, and I am proud of the success that we have achieved at each program along the way. Every student-athlete who has ever played for me and their families know we follow the rules.
These allegations are serious and damaging to the university and to myself, he added, and I hate that KU has to go through this process. With our staffs full cooperation, these allegations will be addressed within NCAA procedures with urgency and resolve.
Kansas had been in the NCAAs crosshairs since early this summer, when Vice President Stan Wilcox said at least six schools were likely to receive notices of allegations for Level 1 infractions.
North Carolina State was the first of them, getting a notice July 10 of two violations, including a failure-to-monitor charge leveled against former coach Mark Gottfried.
Arizona, Auburn, Creighton, Louisville, LSU and USC have also been under the microscope.
Level 1 infractions are considered the most severe by the NCAA, and often include postseason bans, the forfeiture of wins and championships and the loss of scholarships. But the notice itself is only the beginning of a process that can often take more than a year the school typically sends a response to the NCAA enforcement committee, setting off an exchange of information.
Ultimately, a hearing will be scheduled and Kansas will be allowed to present its case. The NCAA will then issue its ruling, often within several months, and the school retains the right to appeal.
The former Adidas employee, T.J. Gassnola, testified in October that he made a a $90,000 payment to the family of then-Kansas recruit Billy Preston and $2,500 to the guardian of current forward Silvio De Sousa.
Gassnola, who avoided prison time by cooperating with the investigation, said he also paid $20,000 to Fenny Falmagne, De Sousas guardian, to pry the prospect loose from an agreement with Maryland.
