Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV basketball faces more NCAA allegations

At a moment of optimism and celebration over its NCAA Tournament berth, the UNLV men's basketball program is back in the familiar position of having to answer allegations of NCAA rule violations.

And this time, the Rebels' unflattering rap sheet could haunt them.

The university on Tuesday acknowledged receipt of an NCAA letter of inquiry listing a series of alleged rule violations, the most serious of which surround the 1997 recruitment of Lamar Odom.

The NCAA alleges that UNLV booster and Las Vegas dentist Dr. David Chapman gave $5,600 to Odom, $4,000 while Odom was enrolled in a summer class at UNLV. The inquiry alleges that Rebels coach Bill Bayno solicited booster Sig Rogich to give Odom a job and "failed to adequately monitor" the basketball program for compliance with NCAA guidelines.

The 12-page document, produced after a 12-month investigation, outlines seven main allegations. They range from Rebels assistant coach Dave Rice making a player's car lease payment; Las Vegas attorney and Rebels booster Steve Stein giving $400 cash to two players; and various violations pertaining to contact with recruits, players' transportation and a UNLV player lying during the investigation.

Because the alleged violations took place within a five-year period after UNLV's 1993 probation over the improper recruitment of Lloyd Daniels, the program faces sanctions under the so-called "repeat violator" rule. That could bring harsher penalties, but not the "death penalty," because the inquiry doesn't allege the required "lack of institutional control."

UNLV has until May 10 to investigate and respond to the allegations, then school officials have to answer to the NCAA Committee on Infractions on June 16-18 at Lake Tahoe.

"We have begun a vigorous investigation into the allegations," UNLV athletic director Charles Cavagnaro said. "We're going to have to deal with every issue in separate fashion. There are a lot of people we have to talk to. We hope to respond in the prescribed time frame.

"There is no hint that Coach Bayno or any of our current assistant coaches either initiated or had prior knowledge of these alleged violations concerning boosters."

UNLV president Carol C. Harter didn't attend Tuesday's briefing, but said in a statement, "We take this matter very seriously. The university's integrity is paramount. Therefore, my overriding desire in this matter is to learn the truth, to submit a complete and unbiased response to the allegations and to take swift corrective measures as necessary."

Harter is a visible supporter of UNLV's basketball team, often hugging Bayno and players during pregame introductions. She's regarded as a fervent supporter of Bayno, and this is a big week for the team. Having won the Mountain West Conference tournament last Saturday, the Rebels (23-7) will play Tulsa (29-4) at noon Friday in the NCAA South Regional at Nashville, Tenn.

A subdued Bayno said Tuesday, "I'm extremely confident, as I have been, that when everything comes out in the wash, the allegations will be proven untrue. We've never knowingly or willingly violated NCAA rules. We are doing everything we can to run a clean program.

"I believe the key words are knowingly and willingly. There's always a chance that there might have been a violation that was committed without intent. But the most important thing is we are going to find the truth here. I think when we do, we will be (cleared)."

However, Bayno conceded that "any allegation that involves cash is serious."

The school immediately suspended Chapman and Stein from associating with the basketball team in any way until the investigation concludes.

Both men strongly denied the allegations, though Chapman's attorney said Chapman provided about $2,000 in cash, food and services to Odom, but only after UNLV released Odom from his Letter of Intent on July 25, 1997. Odom never played for UNLV. He spent one season at Rhode Island (1998-99) before being drafted in the first round this season by the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.

Chapman is alleged to have given Odom $4,000 in chunks of $400 and $800 between early June and July 25, 1997. After that, the NCAA alleges he gave Odom $1,600 in cash; provided him with free room and board; picked up the tab for Odom's multinight stay at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas; and performed free dental work on Odom.

"Much of this is semantics, but in general, David Chapman denies that he did anything wrong," said his attorney, James P. Chrisman of Las Vegas.

"David didn't give Lamar Odom any money until after UNLV let (Odom) go. The kid had nowhere to live here in Vegas, so David let him stay in the guest room of his house. Yes, he ate there and he drove David's car, and David did some dental work for the kid. As an estimate, it might've come to $2,000.

"But while Lamar was living there, he also babysat for David's kids. When you look at the time he was there, the kid was probably underpaid."

The NCAA inquiry acknowledges that Bayno told Chapman to disassociate himself from Odom, but that Bayno did not notify school personnel that potential NCAA violations had taken place.

Stein, who has represented UNLV athletes in past NCAA matters, is alleged to have given a total of $400 to two players. The players' names are blackened out on the report released by UNLV.

"It's all baloney," Stein said Tuesday night. "It's a blatant lie. If (the NCAA thinks) I am going to violate a (state) law to help a basketball program, they are retarded. I have too much at stake after 35 years as an outstanding ethical attorney to do something like that."

Stein said the NCAA has a personal vendetta against him because he has long been a vocal critic of the organization.

"They're a bunch of Nazis," he said. "I think their enforcement division stinks and they are getting even with me. But they're not a government agency. If they slander me, I'll sue them."

Though the cash payments by Chapman and Stein are the most damning allegations, UNLV's greatest obstacle could be the "repeat violator" rule. First-time violators are allowed to resolve all allegations through a summary disposition -- a plea bargain, essentially, in which the NCAA and university counsel negotiate a punishment acceptable to both parties.

Repeat violators aren't allowed summary disposition; they must address every allegation. In its May 10 response, UNLV has the opportunity to convince the NCAA why it should not be considered a repeat violator.

UNLV has hired attorney Michael Glazier, whose firm in Overland Park, Kan., specializes in NCAA cases, but Cavagnaro declined to discuss the school's strategy. However, he doesn't think these allegations meet the litmus test of the repeat-violator rule, which he helped legislate.

"The intent of that rule is to punish institutions that gained a competitive advantage because of the violation," Cavagnaro said. "In this case, it's crystal clear that UNLV did not gain a competitive advantage, but exhibited very strong institutional control by voiding the scholarship of (Odom) and preventing his enrollment for the fall (1997) semester."

The school could also impose self-punishment, so to speak, to show the NCAA it is serious about putting its house in order. That could include forfeiting scholarships, placing other limits on recruiting or firing staff. In cases involving other schools, such measures often led to lesser sanctions by the NCAA.

In essence, the self-policing began last year when Greg Vetrone wasn't retained as an assistant coach. The report alleges he made improper inducements to Odom and made improper phone contact.

The Rebels also self-reported to the NCAA that new assistant coach Max Good and Bayno each made phone contact with a recruit between Aug. 22-28, 1999, violating summer recruiting rules. Bayno said "human error" was to blame.

However, other glaring allegations need to be answered:

For now, the player remains eligible to play for the Rebels on Friday.

"These allegations still must be proved," Cavagnaro said.

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