SEC has "intricate organizations" for cheating, paying students

**jAZ** · 09-16-2004, 11:48 AM

http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.as...7&nav=EQlpQxIu

The University of Kentucky is about to be sued for tens of millions of dollars by a former football coach.

LEX 18 News has learned that former UK recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett, the centerpiece of an NCAA investigation that has UK on probation, will sue the university, saying he is tired of being the scapegoat.

LEX 18's Alan Cutler went to Texas to sit down with Bassett so he could tell his side of the story. During this interview, he admitted cheating. He also told Cutler that cheating was going on before he got to UK.

"It was evident that there were players being taken care of," said Bassett.

Bassett says that when he first arrived at UK, he didn't even know most of the players names. So, it was culture shock to him when some of the players walked into his office and asked for money.

"Here comes one of the better players, okay, (he says) 'Coach, listen, I gotta have seven, eight hundred dollars to fix my car,'" said Bassett.

He was surprised that players being paid were not winning regularly.

"Heavens to mercy, (if they're getting paid) then why are they not doing well?" recalled Bassett.

By the time UK was getting ready to play Louisville for the first game under coach Hal Mumme, Bassett says he understood why UK was cheating and not winning.

"By that time it was evident to me that we were a speck on the road compared to the intricate organizations that were operating," said Bassett. "That I could look you in the eye, that I could swear to four SEC schools (also cheating).

Bassett, who has been called the most hated man in UK football history, took a job as the high school football coach at Robstown High School in Texas to get away from the attention.

"I needed to drop out of sight," said Bassett. "You gotta want to get to Robstown, Texas."

Bassett has never denied breaking NCAA rules, but for the first time, he says he's trying to set the record straight.

Kentucky failed to recruit some of the best high school players in the state during Bassett's first couple of years because he says other schools were better cheaters.

"We lost five football players to out of state schools for things that were scandalous at best," said Bassett.

Bassett admits that he had no other choice but to cheat if UK was going to win. When asked if he gave money to players, Bassett replied, "Yes, I did."

Bassett believes that if C.M. Newton had not retired as athletics director, Bassett still would have resigned due to the NCAA violations, but Hal Mumme would be still be the head coach at Kentucky.

"They used me to get Hal Mumme out as football coach at UK," said Bassett.

Larry Ivy replaced Newton as athletics director, and Bassett believes Ivy knew how UK football was being run. When asked if Ivy would have known, Bassett said, "I would think so."

Bassett, under advice from legal council, was not allowed to name names. He says details and names could come out in court.

A spokesperson for UK contacted by LEX 18 said the university would have no comment on the matter, and referred us to their attorney.

Because of the NCAA investigation, UK lost 19 football scholarships through this season.

09-16-2004, 11:48 AM	Topic Starter
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	SEC has "intricate organizations" for cheating, paying students http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.as...7&nav=EQlpQxIu The University of Kentucky is about to be sued for tens of millions of dollars by a former football coach. LEX 18 News has learned that former UK recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett, the centerpiece of an NCAA investigation that has UK on probation, will sue the university, saying he is tired of being the scapegoat. LEX 18's Alan Cutler went to Texas to sit down with Bassett so he could tell his side of the story. During this interview, he admitted cheating. He also told Cutler that cheating was going on before he got to UK. "It was evident that there were players being taken care of," said Bassett. Bassett says that when he first arrived at UK, he didn't even know most of the players names. So, it was culture shock to him when some of the players walked into his office and asked for money. "Here comes one of the better players, okay, (he says) 'Coach, listen, I gotta have seven, eight hundred dollars to fix my car,'" said Bassett. He was surprised that players being paid were not winning regularly. "Heavens to mercy, (if they're getting paid) then why are they not doing well?" recalled Bassett. By the time UK was getting ready to play Louisville for the first game under coach Hal Mumme, Bassett says he understood why UK was cheating and not winning. "By that time it was evident to me that we were a speck on the road compared to the intricate organizations that were operating," said Bassett. "That I could look you in the eye, that I could swear to four SEC schools (also cheating). Bassett, who has been called the most hated man in UK football history, took a job as the high school football coach at Robstown High School in Texas to get away from the attention. "I needed to drop out of sight," said Bassett. "You gotta want to get to Robstown, Texas." Bassett has never denied breaking NCAA rules, but for the first time, he says he's trying to set the record straight. Kentucky failed to recruit some of the best high school players in the state during Bassett's first couple of years because he says other schools were better cheaters. "We lost five football players to out of state schools for things that were scandalous at best," said Bassett. Bassett admits that he had no other choice but to cheat if UK was going to win. When asked if he gave money to players, Bassett replied, "Yes, I did." Bassett believes that if C.M. Newton had not retired as athletics director, Bassett still would have resigned due to the NCAA violations, but Hal Mumme would be still be the head coach at Kentucky. "They used me to get Hal Mumme out as football coach at UK," said Bassett. Larry Ivy replaced Newton as athletics director, and Bassett believes Ivy knew how UK football was being run. When asked if Ivy would have known, Bassett said, "I would think so." Bassett, under advice from legal council, was not allowed to name names. He says details and names could come out in court. A spokesperson for UK contacted by LEX 18 said the university would have no comment on the matter, and referred us to their attorney. Because of the NCAA investigation, UK lost 19 football scholarships through this season.
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