Tuesday, June 13, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.
Here is a synopsis of UNLV's response to NCAA allegations of rules violations by the men's basketball program.
NCAA alleges: Between July 1996 and December 1997, UNLV booster David Chapman made impermissible contact with incoming freshman Lamar Odom and his aunt Janenean Mercer. Chapman provided cash to Odom on numerous occasions totaling about $5,600 after his arrival in Las Vegas. The payments occurred before and after UNLV advised Odom on July 24, 1997 that he would no longer be able to enroll.
UNLV responds: The university acknowledges that Chapman made improper contact, regarding it as a secondary violation. UNLV acknowledges that Chapman provided Odom with cash, housing, meals, free dental work and other services, but only after the school released Odom from his letter of intent. UNLV says that should "substantially mitigate" any penalties.
NCAA alleges: Between July 1996 and August 1997, head coach Bill Bayno and then-assistant Greg Vetrone provided improper recruiting inducements to Odom and made improper telephone contact with him.
UNLV responds: UNLV admits Vetrone sent Odom a Nike gym bag by Federal Express and gave him rides to work after his arrival in Las Vegas, and that Bayno and Vetrone inadvertantly phoned Odom within the same week. UNLV regards these as secondary violations. Also, another secondary violation might have occurred because Odom hadn't fulfilled high school graduation requirements before Bayno helped arrange for his summer job at Rogich Communications.
NCAA alleges: That in July 1997 and during the 1998-99 academic year, booster Steve Stein provided cash payments to Odom ($100) and Desmond Herod (at least $300).
UNLV responds: Citing "conflicting evidence," the university says it is unable to determine whether the allegation is "substantially correct."
NCAA alleges: That on June 22, 1998, Vetrone provided the use of a moving truck and free used mattresses and box springs to incoming freshmen Matt Siebrandt and Chris Richardson, and excused Siebrandt from liability stemming from an accident with the moving truck.
UNLV responds: The information is substantially correct, so secondary violations occurred. But the university has been unable to determine if Richardson's mother paid Vetrone for the bed set, which Vetrone acquired at no cost.
NCAA alleges: That between July 1997 and August 1999, members of the coaching staff and a member of the training staff provided recruiting inducements or extra benefits to an incoming freshman and Desmond Herod, and made impermissible telephone contact with another prospective recruit.
UNLV responds: The allegations are substantially correct and four secondary violations occurred. UNLV agrees that assistant coach Dave Rice hand-delivered a money order to Las Vegas Auto Leasing on Keon Clark's behalf, but the money was Clark's. Also, a team manager provided auto transportation to a recruit 15 times and Vetrone gave Herod rides to work. Also, the university self-reported that Bayno and assistant coach Max Good each made one telephone contact with prospective recruit Avery Queen during August 22-28, 1999.
NCAA alleges: That Richardson "provided false and misleading information to the enforcement staff and the university on August 31, 1999, and January 18, 2000." The issue in question is his testimony about whether his mother paid Vetrone for the bed set.
UNLV responds: The university disagrees. UNLV doesn't believe Richardson is lying, though he might have given incorrect testimony regarding the bed set. His mother says she paid Vetrone for it and she told Richardson the same, so the university believes Richardson is testifying based on what he believes to be true.
NCAA alleges: That the violations regarding Odom demonstrate that Bayno "failed to adequately monitor his basketball program for compliance and failed to report possible violations ... to appropriate institutional officials for their review."
UNLV responds: The university disagrees, saying its investigation doesn't support the NCAA's assertion, mainly because it contends that Chapman's financial support occurred after Odom had left the program, so Bayno and UNLV shouldn't be held accountable for that.
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