Yahoo Finance Kansas officially disputes NCAA Level I allegations against basketball program, Bill Self
Kansas has officially fired back at the NCAA, disputing all allegations of wrongdoing by its basketball program in a lengthy response published on Thursday afternoon.
The basketball program was hit with five Level I allegations in September, including a coach responsibility charge against Self and a lack of institutional control stemming from the massive corruption trial focused on college basketball. Level I violations are the most severe the NCAA can hand down and can result in potential postseason bans, loss of wins, suspensions and more.
Kansas has long denied any wrongdoing, calling it a “false narrative.” It officially sent its response to the NCAA on Thursday, the last day it could respond, and said that “several facts” are in dispute.
“In this case, stemming from federal criminal trials in 2018, there are several facts that are in dispute; there are assumptions made; and, perhaps most importantly, there are unprecedented and novel theories put forward that, if found to have merit by the Panel, would dramatically alter the collegiate sports landscape in ways not contemplated by the Membership,” the school said in its response, in part.
“The University formally challenges each of the men’s basketball related allegations in the Amended Notice of Allegations (“ANOA”) as neither NCAA legislation nor the facts support the enforcement staff's allegations."
The NCAA alleged that Self and one of his assistants worked with Adidas representatives and “intentionally and willfully engaged in NCAA violations and blatantly disregarded the NCAA constitution and bylaws,” per the Kansas City Star, and that he ordered a former Adidas employee to pay former players’ parents during the recruiting process.
“There is no reasonable conclusion that members of the University, including the men’s basketball staff, knew or should have known about any violations of NCAA rules,” the school said in its response regarding the allegations against Self. “Head Coach Bill Self had no knowledge of any NCAA rules violations or illicit conduct exhibited by Adidas, its employees or its consultants. In addition … Coach Self did, in fact, promote an atmosphere of compliance and fully monitor his staff. The charges leveled against Coach Self are not based on fact.”
The NCAA now has 60 days to respond, and then a hearing will be scheduled.
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