Bradley’s Basketball Program Is Placed on NCAA Probation

Bradley University was penalized Monday by the NCAA for recruiting violations and unethical conduct by head basketball Coach Dick Versace, who promptly signed a one-year contract that school officials announced will be his last.

The NCAA sanctions bar Bradley from competing in postseason play and off-campus recruiting for next season only, although the school officially was placed on probation for two years. No television sanctions were imposed.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions said violations in the case involved improper recruiting inducements, including the use of a car, paid transportation for family members, entertainment and extra benefits to a student-athlete and his family.

The committee’s report, released Monday from NCAA headquarters in Mission, Kan., chastised Versace for changing his story under questioning by NCAA investigators.

It also said Versace, who has coached at Bradley for eight years, “failed to deport himself in accordance with the generally recognized high standards of honesty normally associated with . . . intercollegiate athletics.”

Versace signed the one-year contract early Monday and departed on a two-week trip to Italy, university officials said. He did not attend a news conference later Monday at which Martin Abegg, Bradley’s president, said the school will not appeal the NCAA sanctions.

Abegg also said one-year contracts have been accepted by the entire coaching staff.

“But in the case of the head coach, it will be his final contract,” Abegg said.

In keeping with NCAA policy, the student-athlete whose recruiting led to the violations was not identified. But Abegg confirmed Monday published reports that said the recruit in question is Anthony Webster of Cairo, Ill.

Webster, who played at Bradley from 1981 to 1984 before transferring to Southern Illinois Edwardsville, said he was lured to Bradley by offers of cash and a job for his father.