Bill Self Pulls Off His Recruitment Scam Again

[Chico]

I don't think Dick Versace actually got Webster's dad a job, or even promised him one. IMO that was a made up story a bitter AW, and our admistration didn't have the guts to back up a coach who just had the best win-loss season in Bradley history.

 

[Murph]

I don't think Dick Versace actually got Webster's dad a job, or even promised him one. IMO that was a made up story a bitter AW, and our admistration didn't have the guts to back up a coach who just had the best win-loss season in Bradley history.

Ma Bell was the problem.....

 

[Da Coach]

I don't think Dick Versace actually got Webster's dad a job, or even promised him one. IMO that was a made up story a bitter AW, and our admistration didn't have the guts to back up a coach who just had the best win-loss season in Bradley history.

This is correct. I don't think Webster's father ever got the job that he reported to the NCAA that was offered. I think there was a certain booster involved who was a high-ranking official of a large corporation in Peoria who was involved in this supposed job offer, too. That booster distanced himself from the Bradley program after this.

Here, from the NCAA's website, is the official report on the punishment Bradley was given. As can be seen, the #1 issue was the non-cooperation by the coach that ticked off the NCAA's investigating lawyer Janet Justice. Other tha that, most of the other issues the NCAA found were rather ticky-tack claims by Webster that likely went on at almost all schools.

Penalties To Be Imposed Upon Institution​

1. Bradley University shall be publicly reprimanded and censured, and placed on probation for a period of two years, effective July 8, 1986, it being understood that should any penalty in this case be set aside for any reason other than by appropriate action of the Association, the penalties shall be reconsidered by the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
2. The university's intercollegiate men's basketball team shall end its 1986-87 basketball season with the playing of its last regularly scheduled, in-season contest, and the team shall not be eligible to participate in the National Collegiate Division I Men's Basketball Championship or in any other postseason competition during that academic year.
3. No member of the men's basketball coaching staff shall be permitted to participate in any off-campus recruiting activities (including scouting activities involving the evaluation of prospective student-athletes) for a one-year period.

Summary of Violations of NCAA Legislation​

1. Violation of the principles of ethical conduct [NCAA Constitution 3-6-(a) and the Opening Statement of the Official Procedure Governing the NCAA Enforcement Program] -- The men's head basketball coach failed to deport himself in accordance with the generally recognized high standards of honesty normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics in that during interviews conducted by the NCAA enforcement staff, the head coach denied involvement in violations when questioned specifically about these matters. In addition, the head coach changed his story in his appearance before the Committee on Infractions when he

-more-​

BRADLEY UNIV. RECEIVES NCAA PENALTY IN MEN'S BASKETBALL
July l4, l986
Page No. 3
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admitted at least one violation when the available evidence clearly established that the violation occurred, changed his answers from "no" to "I do not recall" as to certain violations and persisted in his denials regarding additional violations that were found by the committee to have been committed.

2. Violations of NCAA legislation in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete [NCAA Bylaws 1-1-(b), 1-1-(b)-(1), 1-9-(i), 1-9-(j) and 1-9-l] -- (a) In September 1980, a member of the university's men's basketball coaching staff arranged for the prospective student-athlete's father and stepmother to receive round-trip transportation by charter aircraft at no cost to them between the young man's home and Peoria in order to accompany the prospect on his official paid visit to the university's campus; (b) in November 1980, a member of the men's basketball coaching staff paid the cost to install a telephone in the prospective student-athlete's home; (c) in December 1980, a representative of the university's athletics interests provided the prospective student-athlete's father and stepmother round-trip automobile transportation between St. Louis, Missouri, and Peoria (a total distance of approximately 370 miles), in order to attend a university basketball game; further, the father and stepmother received lodging at no cost to them at a local motel in Peoria; (d) in March 1981, the men's head basketball coach and a representative of the university's athletics interests improperly entertained the prospective student-athlete's father and stepmother for a meal at no cost to them at a restaurant, and (e) during the 1980-81 academic year, the prospective student-athlete and his family were contacted in person, off campus for recruiting purposes on more than three occasions by members of the athletics department, men's basketball staff and certain representatives of the university's athletics interests.
3. Violations of NCAA legislation governing extra benefits to an enrolled student-athletes [Constitution 3-1-(g)-(5)] -- (a) On two occasions during the 1981-82 academic year and on one occasion during the summer of 1982, the men's head basketball coach was involved in arrangements for the father of the student-athlete to be employed; (b) in November 1983, the men's head basketball coach arranged for the student-athlete and the young man's fiancee to be provided round-trip transportation in a private aircraft between Peoria, Illinois, and the young man's home at no cost to them in order to attend a funeral, and (c) during the period spring of 1982 to the fall of 1983, representatives of the university's athletics interests permitted the student-athlete to use several automobiles from two automobile dealerships for personal purposes; further, the head basketball coach made the initial arrangements with one of the representatives on the student-athlete's behalf.
4. Violation of the provisions governing certification of compliance with NCAA legislation [NCAA Bylaw 5-6-(d)-(5)] -- With full knowledge at the time that certain practices of the university's intercollegiate basketball program were not in compliance with NCAA legislation, the head basketball coach attested on statements filed with the chief executive officer of the university in l98l, l982, l983 and l984 that he had reported to the chief executive officer his knowledge of and involvement in any violations of NCAA legislation involving the institution.

 

[tornado]

violations 1 & 4 are basically the same thing, lying and not being cooperative, and note the wording on the job thing....that the head coach "was involved in arrangements" to help get the father a job.
As has been reported before, no such job ever actually turned up and AW's father never did get a job courtesy of BU but somehow the NCAA took Webster and his daddy's word for that such a promise was made and went with it as fact.
It is a clear example of how the NCAA was going to get BU and it didn't really matter whether they found the facts. In the absence of facts, they just went with the testimony of one disgruntled ex-player and his father.

I guess I am left with a really foul taste when I read #3 and see that the folks at Bradley helped arrange transportation for Webster and his girlfirend to be able to travel to a family funeral. You'd think they'd actually appreciate the kind assistance, but instead they turned on BU and stabbed the program in the back.

 

[Chico]

Thanks Coach. That's the first I've ever read about all the allegations. The NCAA can't tell me that worse than this hasn't been going on for years. IMO all this happened because Dick told it like it was back in 1982 when Bradley got snubbed for the NCAA tourney. That's the worse thing you can do, especially now days, tell it like it is.

 

[Braves4Life]

Thanks Coach. That's the first I've ever read about all the allegations. The NCAA can't tell me that worse than this hasn't been going on for years. IMO all this happened because Dick told it like it was back in 1982 when Bradley got snubbed for the NCAA tourney. That's the worse thing you can do, especially now days, tell it like it is.

You hit it right on the head Chico! Had Versace been coaching at a Kansas, UNC, or another BCS school no one would have cared. Had Versace been allowed to stay at BU I have no doubt that BU would have gone to a Final Four and evolved into a mid-major power like Gonzaga or Memphis, IMO

 

[Out of Bounce]

You are actually right!! But until the NCAA puts a stop to it, it will continue as I said. The one thing that may push the NCAA to do something is if the Big Boys (Kansas, N. Caroline, Duke, Memphis & the rest) fight between themselfs gets so big or out of hand. I don't see this as there seems to be a brother hood between them and the NCAA. These schools names are the money makers and thats what its all about. Every once in awhile one of the little guys (BU sweet 16) get in there to get some pocket change but for the most part its the big names (with the best players) that make the big money for the NCAA and their schools. How they get the best is just what we are seeing at Kansas and this methed seens to be JUST one way the NCAA allows them to do it. Its all about MONEY even with the little guys!
But still! If it smells like S____, looks like S___, then it is S___!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You hit it right on the head Chico! Had Versace been coaching at a Kansas, UNC, or another BCS school no one would have cared. Had Versace been allowed to stay at BU I have no doubt that BU would have gone to a Final Four and evolved into a mid-major power like Gonzaga or Memphis, IMO

You are right. Just as I wrote!