Investigators reportedly set to clear Harrick of any wrongdoing
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 15, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16, 1996
M. BASKETBALL:
Reports claim PacÂ10 officials have found sale of vehicle
violated no rulesBy Mark Dittmer
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The UCLA men’s basketball program is in the clear with regards
to possible violations stemming from the sale of a truck previously
owned by head coach Jim Harrick to the sister of a recruit,
according to newspaper and television reports.
According to reports in the Los Angeles Daily News and in the
South Bay Daily Breeze, the investigation being conducted by the
Pac-10 and by UCLA about the incident has been completed with
findings of no wrongdoing.
However, neither the Pac-10 nor UCLA would comment on the
reports. ”We expect the investigation to be concluded by the end
of the week, that’s the only comment I can make at this time,” Jim
Muldoon, the Pac-10’s assistant commissioner, said. ”The process
is not quite completed.”
Both the conference and the university have been looking into
the sale of a car by Harrick’s son, Glenn, to Lisa Hodoh on Sept.
20. At issue was whether the sale of the car to Davis’ sister was a
way of offering Davis financial aid. Early reports said that the
car was valued at $12,750, and that the car was sold to Hodoh for
$5000.
The sale came two days after Baron Davis, Hodoh’s younger
brother, verbally committed to play for the Bruins. Davis is a
highly recruited 6-foot, 1-inch point guard who began his senior
year at Santa Monica Crossroads High last month.
Davis was seen driving the 1991 Chevy Blazer days after he
verbally committed to UCLA. But although the truck was always
registered in his father’s name, Glenn Harrick said it was his car
”from the day it was bought,” and that he got his father’s
signature on the title when he recently began thinking of selling
it.
According to rule 13.2.1 of the NCAA Manual, "An institution’s
staff member or any representative of its athletics interests shall
not be involved, directly or indirectly, in making arrangements for
or offering to give any financial aid or other benefits to the
prospect or the prospect’s relatives or friends, other than
expressly permitted by NCAA regulations."
A $7,750 discount off of the car would constitute such a
benefit. However, other used car dealers have estimated the value
of a 1991 Blazer as low as $4,000. This particular Blazer had over
112,000 miles on it, and had reportedly survived four car
accidents.
Both newspapers quoted anonymous sources as saying that nothing
serious had been uncovered by the investigation into allegations
that UCLA violated NCAA rules against providing extra benefits to
recruits.
The Daily News said Harrick might be reprimanded by athletic
director Peter Dalis for failing to report the sale after finding
out about it.
If the reports are correct, Davis will be eligible to play for
the Bruins as a freshman in the 1997-98 season.
Daily Bruin wire services contributed to this report.
