Harrick cleared of recruiting violations

Tuesday, October 22, 1996

ATHLETICS:

Investigation of car sale reveals no wrongdoing; fair market
value of vehicle stressedBy Hye Kwon

Daily Bruin Staff

The Pacific 10 conference announced Monday that its
investigation into the UCLA basketball program found no recruiting
violations in the car sale by Jim Harrick’s son, Glenn, to Lisa
Hodoh, the sister of Bruin recruit Baron Davis.

"I can’t go into the specifics of the investigation process
other than to say that it was thorough," Pac-10 assistant
commissioner Jim Muldoon said. "One thing I can say is that there
weren’t any NCAA violations in the transaction and the critical
factor in the determination was that the car was sold at the fair
market value."

Reportedly, three independent car dealerships were contacted
during the investigation and their appraisals of the Blazer were
all below the $5,000 Hodoh paid for the vehicle.

"It was important to our investigation that we were able to get
independent sources to say that the car was sold at a fair market
price," UCLA athletic director Pete Dalis said. "That’s why it took
a little long for the investigation to conclude."

In a press conference Monday afternoon, Jim Harrick finally
broke the silence that he has observed since the allegations came
out and fielded questions from the media regarding the
investigation. Harrick used the chance to fire away at the media,
saying that there were questionable ethics surrounding the Los
Angeles Times’ allegation.

"Sometimes there is a line in the freedom of the press," Harrick
said. "Whether they crossed it or not, I don’t know."

When asked why he didn’t report the sale of the Blazer to the
proper officials immediately after he learned of the deal, Harrick
said, "I probably used bad judgment." Calling it "disappointing"
that Harrick didn’t come to consult him, Dalis hinted that UCLA
might levy an internal sanction against the coach.

"There have been no sanctions as yet, and these matters are
typically discussed with Chancellor (Charles) Young," Dalis said.
"In as much as there were no violations, I told Jim that he should
have come forward."

Aside from the car deal, Hodoh’s employment at ASUCLA food
services was also being scrutinized. Had Pac-10 officials
discovered that Hodoh landed a job at UCLA as a favor to the Davis
family, that could be an NCAA recruiting violation.

But, after all the principals involved in Hodoh’s hiring were
interviewed by the investigators, UCLA was again cleared of any
wrongdoing.

"There was nothing found," Dalis said. "Five people (from the
ASUCLA data bank) were called for that job and three were
interviewed. She had previous experience in the catering
field."

Monday’s announcement means that Davis will be eligible to
attend UCLA next year, should he sign the early letter of intent,
as expected.

JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin

At investigation’s end, Jim Harrick could finally smile at
Monday’s press conference.