Baylor University Basketball Scandal - Potential NCAA Violations

Potential NCAA Violations

In early August 2003, allegations arose concerning Dennehy's ability to remain with the Baylor basketball team during the 2002-2003 academic year without an athletic scholarship. Allegations of impropriety within the athletic department surfaced and Baylor University President Robert B. Sloan appointed an investigative panel to determine if there were any potential NCAA violations at the school.

Having reached the limits on team scholarships, Bliss surreptitiously paid Dennehy's tuition and that of teammate Corey Herring. Herring and his family had no knowledge of this: Herring was under the impression that he was on scholarship. During the investigations, Coach Bliss publicly portrayed Dennehy as a drug dealer to explain how Dennehy had paid his tuition, but was soon under investigation by the university and the NCAA. Additionally, in the weeks preceding his resignation, Bliss flew to New York—without the knowledge of anyone, including his wife—in an attempt to convince Herring's mother to lie about paying the $18,641. Later, Bliss pretended to be Herring's father—in an attempt to determine what evidence school and NCAA investigators might find against him—when he called Baylor's financial aid office to check on payments made to Herring's account.