NCAA Denies Sampson Appeal

((HT: IndyStar))

Former Indiana University basketball coach Kelvin Sampson lost his appeal to lessen penalties levied against him for his involvement in recruiting violations, the NCAA announced today.

Sampson's punishment virtually bans him from coaching at an NCAA school for five years.

Sampson appealed the penalties in an April hearing, saying his ban was too severe and that the original committee hearing was biased against him because a date was set before the NCAA enforcement staff issued formal allegations and before it completed interviews.

The NCAA contended that the the original findings and penalties were correct.

Sampson also contended that the infractions committee misinterpreted testimony from former IU assistant coach Rob Senderoff, which led to a conclusion that Sampson knowingly participated in impermissible recruiting phone calls.

Sampson resigned as IU's coach in February 2008, taking a $750,000 buyout, after his program was accused of five major NCAA violations.

Sampson, now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, was found guilty of two major violations. IU was found guilty of "failure to monitor" the program, but did not appeal the ruling.

Kelvin Sampson Has Grapefruits

And we don't mean in the checkout aisle...

According to Mark Alesia's article in the Indianapolis Star, the former Indiana University head men's basketball coach ((pictured, thanks IBJ)) is appealing his five-year banishment from coaching in the NCAA.

We think he just realized he's an assistant coach in Milwaukee and wants out...

The article says the appeal will be based on two points:

"The first is that the infractions committee misinterpreted testimony by former IU assistant Rob Senderoff, which led to a conclusion that Sampson knowingly placed impermissible recruiting phone calls, and thus was guilty of unethical conduct.

The second is that the NCAA enforcement staff, essentially the prosecutor in the case, was biased and showed a prejudgment of guilt by requesting a hearing before all of the interviews were complete."

Sampson can get away with the first point through strict interpretation. If Senderoff made the phone calls, and Sampson was present on the line as a third-party then Sampson did not officially punch the digits on the phone. He let Senderoff's fingers do the walking... we get that one.

But, apparently, Sampson has an issue with multi-tasking in Point 2...
Because of his shenanigans, remember, he was given a five-year "show cause" order, which means he can't play with the NCAA unless the school that picks him up wants penalties imposed on them for signing him.

Sampson isn't talking. His attorney isn't talking. The NCAA isn't talking.

But the Bucks are taking on the Pacers Wednesday night in Indianapolis.