Athletics to recap proper conduct
Program aims to prevent future NCAA violations
By Matt Potter
Staff Reporter

Student athletes and coaching staffs will start a training program in October to define what is appropriate conduct, following NCAA violations that were reported in the men’s basketball program over the summer, according to university officials.

Exactly how the program will be implemented is still being organized, but the main goal of the training is to educate both student athletes and staff about what is appropriate assistance outside of their sport, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs William Koehler said.

“All coaches want to be helpful to their student athletes but there are lines beyond which you can go and we hope to clarify those lines,” Koehler said.

Former assistant men’s basketball coach Jai Steadman resigned after an internal investigation revealed that he provided illegal academic assistance to an un-named current student athlete and provided illegal transportation to a prospective student athlete, according to an Aug. 5 press release issued by TCU.

The training program is going to be held once a month until the end of the semester and will cover topics ranging from understanding NCAA rules to mentoring and student academics, University Faculty Athletics Representative Rhonda Hatcher said.

Steadman did violate NCAA rules by expanding the contents of a student athlete’s paper, which was never turned in for a grade, Hatcher said.

According to the press release, the investigation revealed that Steadman also provided unapproved transportation to prospective student athlete, Oluwafemi Ibikunle, by giving him a ride to Mexico to obtain an international visa. Head men’s basketball coach Neil Dougherty said Ibikunle needed the visa to be able to return to the United States after playing overseas.

Drew Harris, associate director of media relations, said Ibikunle has been suspended for six of the 28 games in the upcoming 2003-2004 season. He will also be required to pay back the estimated value of the transportation, which totals about $387, Harris said.

Dougherty said the training program has not begun, but communication between the athletes, staff and the administrative offices is already improving.

“Our office, the administrative offices and the compliance office are now talking a lot more frequently and that’s always good,” Dougherty said. “That keeps everyone on the same page.”

With the training program about to begin, the program’s goals are still the same, Dougherty said.

“We are doing what we can to give TCU a competitive, respectable basketball program that can measure up not only to teams in our conference, but one day, help us reach a national spotlight,” he said.

Since Steadman’s resignation, the basketball department has begun searching for a new assistant coach, Dougherty said. The interview process is going well and the number of qualified coaches that have applied for the position is surprising, he said. Dougherty declined to release the candidates’ names.

“I’ve had a chance to speak with several people and visit personally with five different coaches and I’d expect to make a decision within the next week,” Dougherty said.

Matt Potter