WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University's men's basketball team is banned from non-conference play for one year and is under five years of probation for NCAA infractions discovered after the murder of former basketball player Patrick Dennehy in 2003.
Four staff members and three students committed NCAA infractions, including drug use, not reporting drug test results and paying athletes scholarship money or granting them other benefits, such as meals and merchandise, the National Collegiate Athletic Association said June 23.
The infractions surfaced during investigations into the murder of Dennehy by another player, who has since pleaded guilty to the crime. But according to Gene Marsh, chair of the NCAA Division I committee on infractions, the murder of Dennehy did not factor into the penalties imposed on Baylor.
Marsh said former Baylor basketball coach Dave Bliss is on a 10-year probation for helping to pay tuition for two basketball players and failing to supervise staff members, among other infractions.
According to an NCAA press release, “The committee found that the former head coach solicited donations from boosters and funneled more than $87,000 to the Houston Superstars Foundation, a Texas Amateur Athletic Union (AAU); $1,050 to the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, a Waco, Texas-based summer basketball team; and $28,600 to five additional AAU teams. The donations were impermissible because prospective student athletes were members of those teams. The donations were not disclosed as required on the NCAA Financial Disclosure Forms and should have been reported by a former assistant coach.”
If Bliss seeks employment in any NCAA school within 10 years, he and the hiring university will have to come before the NCAA before he is employed, Marsh said.
Although the probation period for Bliss is a severe and sufficient punishment, Marsh said, it could have been more severe if Bliss had not shown so much remorse.
Marsh said the penalties against the school likewise could have been tougher — including the “death penalty,” which would have closed the basketball program — if not for the school's “very blunt self-assessment” and earlier self-imposed penalties.
Baylor voluntarily limited player recruitment and scholarships, withdrew from post-season play last year, and imposed a three-year probation, among other self-imposed penalties.
“You have to give some credit to a school that cooperates,” Marsh said. “This … allows Baylor fans to have at least part of a basketball season.”
Baylor Interim President William D. Underwood said: “Baylor supports the committee's conclusion that additional sanctions are an appropriate message that this kind of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated. We appreciate the committee's recognition that Baylor University acted in good faith, has exhibited genuine remorse and has responded to the violations in a decisive and meaningful fashion.”
Baylor had a choice of playing a shortened conference-only season either next year or the following year and chose the coming year.
Scott Drew, Baylor men's basketball coach, said the team is ready to bring closure to the episode. “Right now my heart goes out to our players, who are obviously very disappointed,” he said. “In the Good Book it says ‘He will bring it to pass.' Our program continues to focus on the future, and we know that it is bright.”