Old allegations resurface in Redhawks' list of misdeeds

~ A 2003 internal investigation pursued allegations similar to the current charges.

Some of the violations committed by the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball program and included in a report released by the university on Friday echoed allegations about the program in 2003.

The university conducted an internal investigation into the program in October 2003, just prior to B.J. Smith's second year as head coach of the program.

At that point, the university found only a minor violation -- the inappropriate use of a laundry machine -- which it reported to the NCAA.

The report, obtained by the Southeast Missourian this year in a Freedom of Information request, included allegations of a rent payment, inappropriate transportation to work and to an airport, and student-athletes participating in basketball activities in the summer with coaches present.

The 2003 report concluded that "other possible violations could not be substantiated."

"I agree there are a few [allegations] that were looked at back then that are similar to what you have today," said Chuck Smrt of The Compliance Group, the firm that was hired by the Ohio Valley Conference to look into potential NCAA violations committed by the program.

"Was it similar nature? Yes," Smrt added. "I think it's a little dangerous to go down that path very far because, as with any case, the specifics are going to change a little bit often enough that you can't say this is the same thing that happened two years ago."

Coaches admonished

Following the 2003 investigation, conducted by former assistant athletic director Alicia Scott and faculty athletics representative Ed Leoni, letters of admonishment were sent to the members of the basketball coaching staff, which then included Smith and assistants Lisa Pace, Franqua Bedell and Rick Karr. Only Smith and Pace remain from that staff, which in 2004-05 included Bedell and Kevin Emerick and last year included Michelle Fortier and Katrina Colwell. John Ishee has been hired to replace Fortier, while Colwell is returning to the staff.

Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman said ignorance of the NCAA rules was a part of the reason the most recent violations occurred.

"I think it's a combination of a need for additional education and at the same time perhaps a need for a more firm commitment that if there is a doubt relative to a particular decision that might create a violation, it's incumbent on any member of our coaching staff to ask before they act," Kaverman said. "We constantly reinforce with our coaching staff to err on the side of caution.

"I do feel additional education is necessary and will certainly be provided, but there needs to be a firm commitment on the part of all our coaches and staff members to adhere to NCAA and conference rules and regulations. And if they're in doubt, they need to ask."

Kaverman said the department will continue the practice of monthly meetings with each coach and will put procedures in place to correct mistakes and potential violations earlier.

Outside of recruiting and scholarships, the university's self-imposed sanctions include an annual compliance audit of women's basketball recruiting documents, performance evaluations based on compliance and requiring members of the staff to attend the next NCAA regional compliance seminar.

Smith, who was not present at the news conference, did not wish to comment on the report when reached by telephone, citing the university's position during the continuing investigation.

Kaverman said he discussed the self-imposed sanctions with Smith, "and he concurs with those sanctions."