Assistant denies giving money to Clemons

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COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A report by the NCAA alleges the University of Missouri basketball program committed multiple rules violations, including an assertion that an assistant coach gave an athlete $250, sources familiar with the report told The Associated Press on Monday.

After a lengthy investigation, the NCAA threw out allegations that troubled former player Ricky Clemons received improper academic help to get into Missouri because the charge couldn't be substantiated, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Associate head coach Tony Harvey, top assistant to Quin Snyder, is alleged to have given Clemons $250, the sources said.

Harvey has denied the allegation. "My story isn't changing," he said Monday.

Missouri received the NCAA's formal "notice of allegations" on Friday. University officials declined immediate comment, but scheduled a news conference for Tuesday morning.

Other alleged violations between 1999 and 2003 included a breach of ethical conduct by a member of the athletic department staff in trying to conceal rule-breaking; providing meals and transportation for current athletes and recruits; out-of-season league play by team members; impermissible contacts with recruits; and impermissible meals for Amateur Athletic Union coaches, the sources said.

The NCAA did not allege a lack of institutional control, the sources said. Such a violation could include a punishment such as a ban on postseason play or television appearances.

If the allegations are validated by the NCAA's Infractions Committee, the school could face recruiting sanctions, including loss of scholarships or recruiting privileges.

Missouri will challenge at least some of the allegations by a July 1 deadline, and a hearing has already been scheduled by the NCAA's Infractions Committee during its meetings Aug. 13-15 in Seattle, according to the sources.

NCAA spokeswoman Kay Hawes declined comment Monday evening, saying the investigation process is confidential.

The Kansas City Star first reported the university's receipt of the notice of allegations on its Web site Monday afternoon.

Chad Moller, a spokesman for Missouri athletics, confirmed that the school received the formal NCAA notice of allegations, summarizing findings of an investigation that mushroomed after Clemons, a point guard, got into legal trouble in a January 2003 domestic assault confrontation with his then-girlfriend.

Harvey and Snyder have said no Missouri coaches gave money to Clemons. In a television interview with HBO taped Feb. 21, Clemons replied "yes" when asked whether he had been paid by coaches at Missouri.

Clemons, who has moved to North Carolina, said he didn't know the total amount he received.

On Monday, Harvey said he remained in his post at Missouri and stood by earlier denials of providing cash to players.

"I'm associate head coach, and I plan on still being the associate head coach," Harvey said in a telephone interview. "I have cooperated totally and fully with the NCAA. My story isn't changing. I'm not deviating from anything I said before."

Harvey referred other questions to his Atlanta-based attorney, Stu Brown, who said he could not confirm or discuss specific allegations against Harvey.

University president Elson Floyd, and Columbia campus athletic director Mike Alden declined comment Monday.

Last fall, after Clemons' former girlfriend alleged the player received improper academic assistance, Floyd ordered an in-house investigation by Michael Devaney, an electrical engineering professor and former head of the campus Faculty Council.

Floyd and Devaney are expected to attend Tuesday's news conference to stress that the academic allegations had been dismissed.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press

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