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Lute Olson under NCAA investigation

Just saw this in the Tucson Citizen:

University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson is under investigation for possible NCAA violations, UA officials said. UA on July 2 reported an apparent Level 2 violation - or less severe - of NCAA rules regarding soliciting donations, Athletic Director Jim Livengood said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
A letter was sent this spring to the Rebounders Club board of directors from Olson's office, encouraging members to donate to an amateur basketball exhibition tournament at UA, Livengood's report said. The letter was printed over Olson's electronic signature and went out marked "personal and confidential," said the report Livengood sent to Ron Barker, the associate commissioner of the Pacific-10 Conference. Olson "adamantly denied" knowledge of the letter being sent and later sent a retraction, Livengood said in his report. NCAA rules prohibit institutional representatives from arranging financial assistance for or paying costs of prospective student athletes.

I guess Lute is doing whatever it takes to compete against Ben Howland. Old Lute is getting exposed as Dirty Lute. What a joke.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

0 recs  |  Comment 8 comments

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Just Words

Aug 2008 by Nestor - 3 comments

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Before a rush to judgement...

I’m no fan of Lute Olson, but it’s possible that someone in his office sent the letter without his consent. I know in my current job (US Navy), and in previous ones, letterhead with pre-printed signatures are kept for ease of distributing memos. Usually the pre-signed letterhead is kept under lock and key for obvious reasons, but we did have one incident a few months ago that someone stole a few sheets of letterhead to give himself a recommendation for another job. It came to roost when the prospective employer called to confirm the recommendation. Something of that nature could have occured. Still, it will be interesting to see how the NCAA acts or if they’ll give it the USC treatment :-)

by impaulv on Sep 16, 2008 11:16 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

It doesn't seem too bad

it’s a small violation and it doesn’t look to me like there was any malicious attempt to get a leg up. It looks to me like an honest mistake. Now before I give a final judgement I want to know what the NCAA uncovers, but it doesn’t look like a big deal to me.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Sep 16, 2008 11:24 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm So Glad

The NCAA is really going after the big-time violators!

?What?

I’m no big Lute fan, but this seems pretty minor, really. I mean face it, he’s seemed pretty confused lately.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Sep 16, 2008 3:19 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Mixed reaction

At first glance it does seem that, at least in respect to Lute directly, this is not a major violation. The AP’s article on this matter would make it seem that a member of the athletic staff believed that Lute wanted such a letter sent out and did so on his behalf, though Lute denies such knowledge or intent. Whatever the source of the letter, Lute is taking the fallout.

However, a Rivals.com column, quoting the Pac-10’s compliance director, describes this AAU program’s relationship to the UA program.

“The letter expressed how important this tournament is to the Arizona basketball program’s recruiting.”

The letter does not relate to any particular UA players or recruits, which likely will minimize any NCAA reaction. The problem for UA is that the letter does seem to have linked this AAU camp to the basketball program in a way which stretches the NCAA rule, at least. Think if a Ben Howland-signed letter were to be sent to boosters soliciting donations to the Pump brothers, or to Fairfax HS athletics.

by bruinhoo on Sep 16, 2008 5:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Good link

I agree that this may not be a big time violation but if we take this in context with all other drama that has taken place in that program last few months, it looks like a total circus.

by bluestreet on Sep 17, 2008 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not at all concerned with UofA

They were great competition in the 90s. I was happy they won a National Championship. I’m more concerned with winning our first NC under Coach Howland and therefore schools like UNC, Duke, Kansas and the constantly rotating Team X that rises to prominence (Usually led by one or two exceptional talents. see Carmelo Anthony) before sliding back into the pool teams fighting for tournament success.

Olson and UofA are having a hard time adjusting to the new landscape of college basketball. Doesn’t affect me one bit.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Sep 16, 2008 7:21 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Looking just at the report

This is nothing compared to what has gone over at you know where. The soap opera around Olson is funny though.

by UniversityofSecondChoice on Sep 17, 2008 8:46 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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