Key dates in the NCAA investigation

Steve Addy

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2000 | 6:21 a.m.

Key dates in the NCAA's investigation of UNLV's basketball program.

July 18-23, 1996 -- UNLV booster Dr. David Chapman has brief meeting with prospective basketball recruit Lamar Odom during the adidas Big-Time Tournament. (UNLV now concedes this was an NCAA rules violation.)

Nov. 12, 1996 -- UNLV assistant coach Greg Vetrone sends a Nike gym bag to Odom via Federal Express. (UNLV concedes an NCAA violation occurred.)

April 1997 -- Odom signs a national letter of intent to attend UNLV.

July 7, 1997 -- Sports Illustrated article outlines alleged ACT exam fraud involving Odom.

July 1997 -- Odom claims UNLV booster and local attorney Steve Stein gave him $100 in a July 1997 meeting at Stein's office in Las Vegas, a meeting set up by Vetrone. (This according to testimony to the NCAA in 1999. Stein calls the allegation "absurd." UNLV says it is unable to determine if the allegation is substantially correct, citing "conflicting evidence.")

July 14, 1997 -- Odom enrolls in a summer physical education class at UNLV to complete a high school academic requirement.

July 24, 1997 -- UNLV releases Odom from his letter of intent, notifying him he won't be allowed to enroll in the fall or play for the Rebels. (The university cites his failure to sign a release that would permit the NCAA to investigate his ACT exam score.)

August 1997 -- Odom moves into Chapman's home in Las Vegas and receives cash, food and other benefits. (UNLV admits to NCAA violations, but says any sanctions should be "substantially mitigated" because Odom had been released by the school. UNLV and Chapman dispute Odom's testimony that he started receiving cash from Chapman while he was enrolled in the summer class, the most damning NCAA allegation.)

Aug. 13, 1997 -- While living with Chapman and driving his car, Odom is arrested by Las Vegas police for soliciting a prostitute.

June 22, 1998 -- Vetrone provides free used bed sets to freshman players Matt Siebrandt and Richardson. Vetrone also excuses Siebrandt from financial liability after Siebrandt gets in an accident with the moving truck. (Richardson tells the NCAA his mother paid for the bed set, while Vetrone denies it, and the NCAA has accused Richardson of providing false and misleading testimony. He must answer the allegation before the NCAA on Friday in Dallas.)

December 1998 -- Former UNLV player Desmond Herod says Stein gave him and current player Chris Richardson about $400 near Christmas 1998. (This also is according to testimony from 1999. Stein denies it, as well as Herod's testimony about later smaller cash payments to him and Richardson.)

March 23, 1999 -- The NCAA notifies UNLV that an investigation of the basketball program has begun.

Sept. 23, 1999 -- As required after six months, the NCAA informs UNLV it will need six more months to complete its investigation.

March 10, 2000 -- UNLV acknowledges receipt of the NCAA Letter of Inquiry, which outlines the allegations against the program. (Because the alleged violations occurred within five years of previous sanctions, the NCAA regards UNLV as a "repeat violator," which could lead to harsher penalties.)

May 2, 2000 -- UNLV requests a month delay from the NCAA to respond to the charges, in hopes of convincing Odom to speak to university investigators. Odom declines, saying he stands by his testimony to the NCAA.

June 12, 2000 -- UNLV files its official response to the NCAA, admitting to various secondary rule violations, but denying that Chapman provided Odom cash and benefits (approaching $6,000) while he was enrolled.

Aug. 1, 2000 -- Chapman breaks his silence in an exclusive interview with the Sun. He denies Odom's testimony about cash and benefits during Odom's enrollment. Chapman also claims the NCAA pressured Odom into false testimony in exchange for gaining eligibility at the University of Rhode Island in 1998.

Sept. 22, 2000 -- UNLV will answer the charges before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in Dallas.

Nov. 6, 2000 (approximate) -- NCAA to announce penalties against UNLV.