Enforcement Trends in Mens Basketball

1
Enforcement TrendsinMens Basketball

• James Garland
• Kristen Matha
• The Basketball Focus Group (BFG)

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What is BFG?

• Three-person team of enforcement investigators
  dedicated solely to the sport of mens
  basketball.
• James Garland LuAnn Humphrey Kristen Matha

3
What is BFG?

• The purpose of BFG is to strengthen the
  enforcement staffs ability to monitor and
  enforce rules compliance in mens basketball
  through
• Expanded outreach efforts
• Increased knowledge of the specific issues
  impacting the mens basketball recruiting
  environment and
• An enhanced enforcement presence.

4
Outreach

• In order to develop a better understanding of the
  mens basketball recruiting environment, BFG is
  reaching out to
• College coaches
• High school coaches
• Nonscholastic coaches
• Prospective student-athletes and
• Parents.

5
Information Management

• A BFG database has been created
• BFG will be looking for trends and patterns.
• Basketball expertise will improve ability to
  conduct effective and efficient investigations.
• BFG can serve as a resource for NCAA staff and
  the membership.

6
Investigations/Inquiries

• Increased knowledge should translate into
  increased detection opportunities and improve
  deterrence.
• BFG will be more proactive.
• Smoke/Fire analogy.
• BFG will conduct a concentrated review of
  recruiting practices in all major infractions
  cases involving mens basketball.

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Funneling of Money

• A focus for BFG is the funneling of money by
  mens basketball coaches to handlers of elite
  prospects.
• Proliferation of handlers who demand
  something in return for access to a prospect.
• Do legislative loopholes allow for money to be
  given to handlers?

8
Funneling of Money

• What is being funneled to handlers?
• Cash payments
• Benefits (e.g. football/basketball tickets)
• Jobs
• Scouting service subscriptions
• Camp employment
• Consultant fees
• Donations to not for profits.

9
Funneling of Money

• A red flag should go up when a benefit is
  provided to a person with ties to a prospect.
• Does the benefit comply with existing
  legislation?
• How many different types of benefits are being
  provided to the handler?
• Has the coaching staff demonstrated a pattern of
  funneling money to handlers?

10
Funneling of Money

• If the facts show a recruiting purpose, BFG may
  seek to process the benefit(s) as a violation.
• Bylaw 13.2.1 Inducements.
• Bylaw 13.8 Entertainment/employment
  restrictions.
• Bylaw 13.12.2 Employment at camp or clinic.
• Bylaw 13.14.3 Recruiting services.
• Bylaw 13.15 Precollege expenses.
• Bylaw 16.11 Extra benefits.

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Funneling of MoneyCase Study

• FACTS
• The mens basketball staff at Hoops U subscribed
  to a total of 40 different scouting services
  during 2008-09.
• Hoops U made three separate payments of 500 to
  Bogus Reports during 2008.
• The CEO of Bogus Reports, Big Cheese, is also the
  general manager of a summer basketball club
  system, the Big Time All-Stars.
• Hoops U is currently recruiting 2 prospects from
  the Big Time All-Stars, Johnny Stud and Billy
  Playmaker.
• Big Cheese was invited to speak at a Hoops U
  booster meeting.

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Funneling of MoneyCase Study (contd)

• FACTS (contd)
• Harry Handler, a coach for Big Time All-Stars,
  was employed at all four Hoops U basketball camps
  during 2008 and was paid a total of 12,000.
• Stud and Playmaker attended Hoops U Elite camp
  during 2008, and then made an UOV immediately
  after the camp.
• Elite camp participants were charged 20 Day
  camp participants were charged 250.
• Out of the 25 people employed at Hoops U camps
  during 2008, 15 employees were tied in some way
  to a prospect.

13
Funneling of MoneyCase Study (contd)

• FACTS (contd)
• The head MBB coach at Hoops U provided two
  season football tickets to Big Cheese and Handler
  during 2007 and two tickets to the MBB conference
  tournament in 2008.
• The MBB staff made a donation of 1,000 to a
  charity golf outing conducted by Big Cheeses
  not-for-profit, Its All About the Kids.
• Big Cheeses son, Cheddar, was paid 1,000 to act
  as an outside consultant to the MBB staff.

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Funneling of MoneyCase Study (contd)

• Each fact when viewed in isolation may be
  permissible and not amount to a violation.
• BUT the cumulative effect of all facts may show
  that the recruiting process is being tainted by
  undue influence such that the intent of the
  legislation has been violated.

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The Basketball Focus Group

• Questions?