UNLV under NCAA review

Steve Carp

Tuesday, March 16, 1999 | 11:09 a.m.

The NCAA and the UNLV basketball program renewed acquaintances today with the association's enforcement staff on campus to look into allegations of extra benefits and recruiting violations involving current members of Bill Bayno's team.

Two members of the enforcement staff are expected to interview Rebel coaches and players over the next couple of days. UNLV Athletic Director Charles Cavagnaro termed the inquiry as "an informal review" and said the school intends to cooperate fully with the NCAA.

That is different from an official letter of inquiry, where the NCAA informs the institution it is conducting a full-fledged investigation. That was the case in the mid-1980s with one-time Rebel recruit Lloyd Daniels and in the mid-1970s with various facets of the program.

There is no evidence UNLV broke any rules at this point. However, the gravity of such an exercise is not lost on the athletic department.

"Any matter with the NCAA is a serious matter," Cavagnaro said.

"They contacted us last Friday and said they had some questions regarding some information they had received. There are some players and some coaches they want to speak with and we will provide them with whatever they need."

KTNV-TV Channel 13 alluded to the impending investigation on its late Monday night newscast.

Cavagnaro would not specify which players and coaches would be interviewed. He confirmed that Bayno would return early from a recruiting trip to meet with the NCAA staff.

However, sources said Shawn Marion, Kevin Simmons, Greedy Daniels and Chris Richardson are the players the NCAA intends to talk to, along with assistant coach Greg Vetrone.

Jerry Koloskie, associate athletic director, said he didn't know the specifics of what the NCAA was looking for but added that UNLV is prepared to help in any way possible.

"We don't know why they wanted to come talk to us," he said. "Coach Bayno is as puzzled as we are."

Bayno could not be reached for comment. President Carol Harter also did not return a phone call today seeking comment.

Cavagnaro said UNLV has been diligent in its efforts to comply with NCAA rules. Part of its probation from the Daniels case -- UNLV admitted to major recruiting violations -- that was settled in 1993 involved beefing up the school's compliance efforts.

Both prior NCAA investigations occurred when Jerry Tarkanian was the UNLV coach.

"We have a very good compliance program, and every year the basketball program goes through a complete audit," Koloskie said. "In that audit are matters of compliance, procedure, business practices, anything connected with basketball."

Cavagnaro said he is comfortable with the system UNLV has in place to make sure its sports teams follow NCAA rules.

"The university has quite a commitment to compliance for all of its programs," he said. "I've seen nothing to indicate that we're not complying."

But Cavagnaro added that the NCAA wouldn't be coming around unless it had good reason.

"If the NCAA hears things, it has to check it out," he said. "It's the way it does business.

"Whether it's rumors or uncorroborated information, it's obligated to look into it. And as members of the NCAA, it's our obligation to comply and cooperate and we intend to do so."

Cavagnaro had no idea where the investigation will lead.

"Your hands are tied," he said. "You don't know where it's going. But however long it takes, that's how it'll be."