NCAA Champ Kansas Barred for Violations

Kansas University was hit with a three-year probation today for recruiting violations in its basketball program and became the first NCAA basketball champion ever barred from defending its title.

The NCAA stopped short of imposing the “death penalty,” which would have shut down the basketball program for at least one season. In addition, the Jayhawks will not be allowed to give paid campus recruiting visits in 1989 and will be stripped of one scholarship during that period.

The NCAA cited “major” violations, which included improper recruiting contacts and improper travel payments by either former Coach Larry Brown or members of his staff. Brown left Kansas after leading the Jayhawks to the national title to become coach of the San Antonio Spurs, taking his entire coaching staff with him.

The report by the NCAA Infractions Committee said the investigation was spurred by a telephone call from a “confidential informant” dealing with the recruitment of a “highly visible transfer student-athlete.”

News reports have linked former Memphis State guard Vincent Askew to the inquiry, although the NCAA announcement identified no one. Askew was recruited by Kansas and spent one summer on campus, but he returned to Memphis without playing.

The NCAA said it found violations that included improper inducements with a total value of at least $1,244 to the recruit.

David Berst, assistant executive director for enforcement, confirmed that no one who played on the 27-11 championship team at Kansas was involved in any serious violations.

Kansas officials, describing themselves “frustrated and disappointed,” said they would not fight the decision.