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Bama basketball staffer resigns as internal investigation of program begins

Started by jbcarol, September 27, 2017, 10:19:55 pm

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jbcarol

Alabama announced an internal review of its basketball program. Athletics director Greg Byrne also announced the resignation of basketball staffer Kobie Baker.


Quote
"Our review has not identified any NCAA or SEC rules violations nor the involvement of any other coach or staff member," Byrne said in a news release distributed Wednesday evening. "We have notified both of the governing bodies of the actions we have taken. As always, we will continue to be proactive in our compliance efforts."

The statement also said the internal investigation was launched after news broke Tuesday of the FBI investigation of college basketball recruiting practices.

Baker was an associate athletics director who oversaw "all areas of men's basketball administration," according to his profile on the Alabama athletics website. His responsibilities included "salaries and benefits, operating expenses, team travel, donor relations, fundraising and scheduling non-conference opponents."

Baker, a Tuscaloosa native, also previously worked with the NCAA as assistant director of enforcement.
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jbcarol

 Dan Wolken‏Verified account @DanWolken 2h2 hours ago

Can someone explain to me how Alabama conducted a 24 hour investigation of its basketball program, found no wrongdoing but fired someone?
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

 


jbcarol

 Cecil Hurt‏ @CecilHurt Sep 26

Alabama @coachavery6 on FBI/college story: "I have been traveling today so it's not my place to make a comment until I read more about it."
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

 Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell 4h4 hours ago

Report: Greg Sankey summoning all SEC basketball coaches to the league offices on Thursday http://sptz.us/2frFKW3
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jbcarol

Pat Forde‏Verified account @YahooForde

Updated Alabama story: School found former NCAA enforcement rep Baker to be "Staff Member-1" in federal complaint


QuoteAlabama accepted the resignation of men's basketball administrator Kobie Baker after an internal review. Baker's previous job: assistant director of enforcement at the NCAA.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne issued the following statement on the matter: "Following yesterday's reports from New York regarding a Federal investigation of intercollegiate athletics, The University of Alabama Department of Athletics immediately initiated an internal review of our men's basketball operations. As a result, we have accepted the resignation effective today of Kobie Baker, a men's basketball administrator. Our review has not identified any NCAA or SEC rules violations nor the involvement of any other coach or staff member. We have notified both of the governing bodies of the actions we have taken. As always, we will continue to be proactive in our compliance efforts."

According to a story in the Tuscaloosa News on Wednesday night, Baker's resignation is directly tied to the FBI investigation. Alabama's internal review points to Baker as "Staff Member-1" in the federal complaint released Tuesday, which alleges that the unnamed staffer was involved in a scheme to accept money in return for directing a "highly regarded incoming freshman basketball player" to sign with a financial adviser after declaring for the NBA draft.

The federal complaint says in the first nine months of 2017, financial adviser Rashan Michel "facilitated the payment of approximately $25,000 to ... (Staff Member-1)." On Aug. 31, the complaint says, Michel arranged a meeting at an Atlanta restaurant between himself, the staffer Alabama identified as Baker, a witness cooperating with the FBI, and the father of the incoming freshman player.

Collin Sexton, the No. 8 player in the Class of 2017 according to Rivals.com, is from Mableton, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. He was the only 2017 recruit from the state of Georgia signed by the school.

The purpose of the meeting, according to the complaint, was for Baker to make introductions between the player's father and the financial adviser, and ultimately steer the prospect to him once he entered the NBA draft. The complaint says the feds' cooperating witness gave Michel $10,000 that was to be given to Baker for arranging the meeting.
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net