Evening star., 1952-11-04
NCAA Council Harsh,
Kentucky Says After
|CanceIing Cage Slate
BY the Associated Pres,

by the Associated Press
The three schools found guilty
by the National Collegiate Athletic
Associations council for violating
NCAA rules are accepting the
recommendations about
the punishment to be imposed.
The University of Kentucky is
its 1923 basketball
schedule in accordance with the
council recommendation that it
be suspended by the NCAA for a
year. Bradley University of Pc
oria. Ill, is taking gracefully the
council recommendation that it
be ruled ineligible for the 1858
NCAA basketball tournament.
while Midwestern University of
Wichita Falls, Tex, expresses re-
gret over the rules violation for
which it was cited but for which
no punishment was recommended.
Technically it would be up to
the NCAA at it's annual meeting
in January to carry out the coun-
cil's recommendations about Ken
tucky and Bradley. But Kentucky
accepted the broad hint and an
yesterday it would not
field varsity basketball team this
coming season. Bradley, too, &C
cepted its rebuke but urged a more
far-reaching investigation into re%
cruiting practices of other schools.
Calls Council Action Harsh.
In announcing the action CALL
ing off its 21-game basketball
schedule, Kentucky said it thought
the council action harsh but added
it would not appeal.
That was the second time the
school has had difficulty about the
approaching season. Earlier the
Southeastern Conference of which
it is a member had suspended it
for a year because several of its
players were involved in the bas-
ketball fix investigation.
1t was after that action that the
school had to make up a patch
work schedule to fill in for the
usual IA conference games.
Kentucky was cited yesterday
for two rules infractions. At va
rious times the players were ac-
cused of receiving pay for partici-
patton in basketball, and athletes
were certified as eligible for NCAA
events when ineligible and with
the knowledge of the coaches that
they were ineligible.
Bradley, too, was cited on the
same two counts. although it was
not charged that the coaches
knew of the ineligibility.
Philip Becker, chairman of the
Bradley Athletic Committee, said.
in a statement: Bradley Uni
versity gives it's complete support
to the efforts Of the NCAA to in
sure the amateur character of in
tercollegiate athletics. We do
not contend that we have been
perfect, and plan to accept, like
good sports, our rebuke from the
for any exceSses of enthusi-
asm which went along with the
successes of our recent
basketball teams.
Kentucky Penalty Most Severe.
Midwestern officials spoke in a
similar vein. DR.. James Boren.
school president, expressed regret
over the infraction. and said it
was done through error and that
it never would happen again.
Kentucky's list of violations was
the longest, and drew the most
severe recommendation. Five spe-
cif1c incidents were listed as the
basis for the charge about ath-
letes receiving pay. They were:
l.. In the spring of 1948 mem
bers of the basketball team on
their departure for the NCAA
tournament were given $50 each
by sports enthusiasts not connect
ed with the university.
2. In the spring of 1949, before
their departure for the NCAA
tournament, members of the bas-
ketball team were given $50 each
by sports enthusiasts not connect
ed with the university.
3. Before the Kentucky team
left for the st. Johns game in
New York City in December,
1850, six of the players were given
$50 each.
4. After the basketball team
returned from the Sugar Bowl
game in January. 1851, several
of the players were given sums
ranging from $25 to $50.
S Between October, 1946, and
December. 1850, two members of
the basketball team had received
stipends of $50 from
sports enthusiasts not connected
with the university.
PresidentH. L. Donovan of Ken
lucky said his school would 60
along with the council recon-
mendation and would not appeal,
but added in a letter to H. c.
president of the NCAA:
1T is the opinion Of our athletic
board that the penalty inflicted
upon the University of Kentucky
is unduly severe and far more
harsh than any penalty that has
ever been inflicted upon a mem
Der for violation of NCAA rules
n the past"