The Todd Lickliter era hurt the state of Iowa hoops significantly. The Hawkeyes are expected to be a Big Ten doormat again this winter, but they did make a solid coaching hire in Fran McCaffery. The former leader of the Siena Saints built up that mid-major program, and it’s expected he can make similar or better strides with the Hawkeye program.
But first, he’ll have another recruiting setback to deal with.
From the Daily Iowan:
An official with the University of Iowa admitted the men’s basketball program violated NCAA regulations when recruits met actor and Iowa native Ashton Kutcher, actress Demi Moore, and high-profile ex-Hawkeye basketball players.
The UI violated NCAA bylaws when two prospective basketball players met the celebrities during a visit to campus during the weekend of Sept. 11, according to the Associated Press
Ok, so why is it wrong for a celebrity from the state of Iowa to interact with recruits? How is this illegal?
From the Des Moines register:
NCAA rules prohibit potential high school recruits from having any contact with individuals considered to represent a university’s athletic interests because of the potential influence boosters can have on the recruiting process.
The university’s report to the NCAA indicates that new head basketball coach Fran McCaffery’s recruits met with former Hawkeye basketball players Reggie Evans and Dean Oliver after a pick-up game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena – then met Kutcher and Moore in a suite at the football stadium later that day.
Evans, Oliver and Kutcher are considered representatives of Hawkeye athletic interests, the school has told the NCAA.
Mark Abbott, a senior associate athletic director, said the U of I is awaiting the NCAA’s response to the school’s internal investigation.
If found guilty of these violations, the penalty ranges from no punishment to a small fine to recruiting limitations.
