Dick Vitale was right: if a decision cannot be made within two years, it is time to abandon the investigation.
access point
Enough is enough. How long does it take to prove the Kansas Jayhawks basketball program cheatedHow have NCAA enforcement personnel alleged, or cleaned up the program of irregularities?
Could there be an engagement in the works? Maybe. But no one knows for sure, and that’s unfortunate for KU’s fan base and current players.
Under NCAA rules, KU officials cannot discuss any aspect of the NCAA’s investigation into allegations that KU basketball recruits were unlawfully enticed to attend the school. NCAA compliance staff are also prohibited from commenting on active queries.
Here’s what is known: In 2017, the FBI cracked down on illegal payments in college sports. Two years later, KU received an official notice from the NCAAwho claimed Five Level I infractions were committed by the KU men’s basketball program. The infractions, including alleged illegal payments to the families of potential student-athletes, are considered the most egregious.
Self and his attorneys have strongly disputed the allegations.
After nearly three years of going back and forth with the NCAA and a independent resolution panel that will decide the corresponding sanctions, the case has not yet been resolved.
Now that college players can earn money with their name, image, and likeness, it’s even more important to speed up this lengthy process. KU basketball is being held hostage to an outdated amateur model that was almost unenforceable until the feds got involved.
Student athletes who can benefit from NIL opportunities represent progress. But the waiting game apparently irritated famed college basketball announcer Dick Vitale, as it should the KU faithful.
“I strongly believe that if the @NCAA is unable to make a decision within 2 years in cases where they have charged member schools with infractions, the case SHOULD BE ABANDONED.” Dickie V shot on Twitter on July 24. “Taking 4 or 5 years is ABSOLUTELY ABSURD!” she wrote.
Despite capturing the NCAA national title in March, an incredible feat considering the circumstances, the uncertainty that still lingers around KU basketball is unfair to current players who have little to do with the alleged wrongdoing.
Did head coach Bill Self and his top lieutenant, assistant coach Kurtis Townsend, know about the impermissible benefits paid to prospective student-athletes years ago? I find it hard to believe that Self doesn’t know every aspect of the comings and goings of KU hoops.
But a convicted felon, former Adidas consultant Thomas “TJ” Gassnolahe has already testified in federal court that he worked to hide illegal payments made to would-be Jayhawks from Self and others associated with the program.
Adidas is KU’s multi-million dollar apparel sponsor.
last week, a The CBS report stated that Self and Townsend did not travel this summer for the live recruitment period. The summer months are important for college coaches, who have the opportunity to see prospects in action against top-level competition.
Keeping Self and Townsend home for the past few weeks could indicate that KU is working to take care of some of the show’s indiscretions.
In this space, I have been critical of The plausible denial of the self regarding potential NCAA recruiting violations. But the holding pattern the Jayhawks program has faced is inexcusable.
KU’s case is being handled through the Independent Accountability Resolutions process, which is not subject to appeal. All punitive decisions are final. An independent panel will decide what sanctions are appropriate
But the sooner the five-member body announces KU’s possible punishment, the better.
This story was originally published August 1, 2022 12:25 p.m.
Toriano Porter is an opinion writer and editorial board member for The Star. He has received state, regional and national recognition for his reporting since joining McClatchy in 2012.