Spring Break
UConn allegedly violates NCAA recruitment rules
Kevin Meacham
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: News
UConn is alleged to have committed major NCAA recruiting violations over a two-year period during and after the recruitment of Nate Miles, according to a report from Yahoo.com published early Wednesday morning.
The charges against UConn's men's basketball program are centered on Josh Nochimson, a former professional sports agent who was a student manager for UConn's 1999 national championship team.
The Yahoo account alleges that Nochimson provided Miles with "lodging, transportation, restaurant meals and representation" over a two-year period beginning in November 2006.
Miles enrolled at UConn last fall and was expelled Oct. 2 - having never played or officially practiced for the team - after being charged in Rockville Superior Court with violating a restraining order.
Nochimson, as a UConn alumnus and member of the basketball program, is considered to have violated NCAA rules by being a representative of the school's "athletic interest," the report said. NCAA rules prohibit these designated representatives from any involvement in the recruiting process, and UConn would be liable for any such involvement regardless of the school's knowledge, according to the report.
Tom Moore, an assistant under coach Jim Calhoun from 1995-2007 and now the head coach of Quinnipiac's men's basketball team, told Yahoo that he was aware that Nochimson and Miles were in contact, another potential violation of NCAA rules.
Yahoo's report was released after a six-month investigation which included a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for phone records of UConn coaches.
In a statement released by UConn Wednesday afternoon, the school said it had complied with Yahoo's FOIA request, and that it would review the report "to determine if additional action is required." It went on to say that the university worked with the NCAA to determine that Miles was eligible to play this season.
"The University takes very seriously its responsibilities of NCAA membership, and will do all that is expected to follow up on any information related to possible NCAA rules violations," the statement said.
The charges against UConn's men's basketball program are centered on Josh Nochimson, a former professional sports agent who was a student manager for UConn's 1999 national championship team.
The Yahoo account alleges that Nochimson provided Miles with "lodging, transportation, restaurant meals and representation" over a two-year period beginning in November 2006.
Miles enrolled at UConn last fall and was expelled Oct. 2 - having never played or officially practiced for the team - after being charged in Rockville Superior Court with violating a restraining order.
Nochimson, as a UConn alumnus and member of the basketball program, is considered to have violated NCAA rules by being a representative of the school's "athletic interest," the report said. NCAA rules prohibit these designated representatives from any involvement in the recruiting process, and UConn would be liable for any such involvement regardless of the school's knowledge, according to the report.
Tom Moore, an assistant under coach Jim Calhoun from 1995-2007 and now the head coach of Quinnipiac's men's basketball team, told Yahoo that he was aware that Nochimson and Miles were in contact, another potential violation of NCAA rules.
Yahoo's report was released after a six-month investigation which included a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for phone records of UConn coaches.
In a statement released by UConn Wednesday afternoon, the school said it had complied with Yahoo's FOIA request, and that it would review the report "to determine if additional action is required." It went on to say that the university worked with the NCAA to determine that Miles was eligible to play this season.
"The University takes very seriously its responsibilities of NCAA membership, and will do all that is expected to follow up on any information related to possible NCAA rules violations," the statement said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
bob
posted 3/26/09 @ 10:11 AM EST
Miles was a senior during 2006 so the one call per month rule doesn't apply. The writers from yahoo already admitted to this mistake. They also admitted the text messaging wasn't an issue because there was no ban on texting at this time. (Continued…)
brenda
posted 3/28/09 @ 3:30 AM EST
where is the story where the Yahoo!Sports authors admit they made a mistake. I didn't see anything new posted on their site
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