Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

NCAA asks Oklahoma to keep better student-athlete employment records: The NCAA has asked Oklahoma to enhance its compliance education program relating to the employment of athletes as part of the school's continuing probation following rules violations by former quarterback Rhett Bomar. In a letter sent to the school last month, Committee on Infractions assistant director James A. Elworth asked Oklahoma to emphasize the proper use of forms provided to athletes, their employers and coaches. When the school ran into trouble because Bomar and two other football players were being paid for work they didn't do at a Norman car dealership, Oklahoma was unable to detect the violations because it wasn't making sure athletes were filling out employment forms. The letter was released Friday after an open records request by The Associated Press. Oklahoma must submit annual compliance reports to the NCAA as part of its probation, which is set to end in May. Elworth's one-page letter informed the school that the NCAA had received and approved its 2009 report, but was seeking more information on the monitoring of athletes' employment in next year's report. (Associated Press)

Previous Post:
OU is Watching Student-Athletes on Social Networks
University of Oklahoma Athletic Department Changes Compliance Policy
OU Athletics to Buy Compliance Software

Labels: NCAA, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

University of Oklahoma defends NCAA secondary rules violations: According to the compliance report, Oklahoma's secondary violations of NCAA rules have increased "consistently" since 2002. "However, this trend should not be interpreted as negative, but rather reflects more effective and thorough monitoring," according to the April 1 report written by vice president and general counsel Anil Gollahalli. The report lists 11 total secondary violations for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years, but at least 30 for every year since and a high point of 46 in 2005-06. (Star-Telegram)

List of the violations in the report obtained by the Associated Press

• providing too much money to a football player to return home for the holidays because of an incorrect address;
• coach Bob Stoops and two assistants inadvertantly visiting a recruit's basketball game that had been rescheduled because of an ice storm;
• Stoops mentioning at a news conference the name of a walk-on player who was technically still a prospect;
• Stoops sending an impermissible text to a recruit when he thought he was sending an e-mail from his BlackBerry device;
• assistant coach Jackie Shipp taking a recruit to a restaurant he thought was on campus;
  
• And the program improperly providing meals and lodging worth $361.95 on a recruit's official visit because of a mixup regarding his legal guardian.

Labels: Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

University of Oklahoma warns athletes 'drinking,' 'getting wasted' are not hobbies: In a report obtained by the Associated Press, the University's compliance policy outlined student-athlete's personal conduct and social network use.

From Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The policy was among documents sent to the NCAA as part of the university's annual compliance report and released Monday to The Associated Press after an open records request.

Oklahoma also reported that it continues to add rules education programs and software designed to monitor compliance with NCAA rules following major violations by the men's basketball and football programs.

The school is on probation until May 2010.

In the social networking policy, athletes are warned that their postings must comply with a code of conduct and can be punishable with education, counseling, suspension or expulsion and with the reduction or cancellation of financial aid. It warns athletes not to post pictures that would portray them negatively nor post contact information that agents or their runners could use to put the athletes' eligibility in jeopardy.

"'Partying,' 'drinking,' and 'getting wasted' do not qualify as real hobbies or interests," the policy warns.

Labels: Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

University of Oklahoma athletic department changes compliance policy: Oklahoma has banned any business from employing more than five Sooners athletes at the same time as part of its response to NCAA violations that occurred when three football players took pay for work they had not done at a car dealership.In a series of compliance changes intended to bring more thorough monitoring of athletes' employment, even those that do not have a job are required to fill out a form stating their status.The changes were outlined to the NCAA in the university's annual compliance report required following major violations by the football and men's basketball programs. The Associated Press obtained the report Tuesday through an open records request.Oklahoma subjected itself to an external audit by The Compliance Group in February 2007 and subsequently updated its student-athlete employment policy. (AP/ESPN.com)

Related Post:
OU Athletics to Buy Compliance Software
OU meets with NCAA Committee

Labels: Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

University of Oklahoma approves purchase of compliance software: The OU Board of Regents approved the purchase of $155,000 in computer software today. The new software will help the athletic department track NCAA compliance issues -- continuing to fix the problems that came up after the Kelvin Sampson and Rhett Bomar issues. (The Oklahoman - OU Blog)

Wolfe Arrives in Mobile: SoonerSports.com

Labels: Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

NCAA approves OU's Mitchell fundraiser request: High School. Coach Stoops will present the family with a framed Oklahoma jersey. Checks should be mailed to: The NCAA approved OU's waiver request Thursday to accept funds to help defray funeral costs for football recruit Herman Mitchell killed last week. Those who wish to contribute should mail checks to the OU Athletics Department made out to "O-Club, Inc. " with "Mitchell Fund" written in the memo line. The checks will not be accepted unless the memo line contains "Mitchell Fund". The money will be deposited in an account designated specifically to defray funeral costs for the family. The NCAA also approved Oklahoma's request for head coach Bob Stoops and two additional OU coaches to travel to Houston. The Oklahoma coaches will meet with members of Mitchell's family and visit Westfield.

Checks should be mailed to:
OU Athletics Department
McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics
180 W Brooks, Suite 3575
Norman, OK 73019

Again, please make out the check to "O-Club, Inc." and write "Mitchell Fund" in the memo line. (SoonerSports PR)

Franks may return kicks? "I remember recruiting Dominique," Sooner assistant Chris Wilson said. "Every week he was returning something (for a touchdown)." Though [Dominique] Franks isn't listed on OU's kick-return depth chart -- Reggie Smith, Juaquin Iglesias, Manuel Johnson and Lendy Holmes are -- coach Bob Stoops mentioned him as well as freshman tailback DeMarco Murray as candidates. (Tulsa World)

OU's Broyles arrested on suspicion of theft: Ryan Broyles, a freshman wide receiver on the University of Oklahoma football team, was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of trying to steal gasoline from a Norman convenience store. The 19-year-old Norman High graduate was arrested on suspicion of attempted larceny and taken to Cleveland County jail. He was released on a $200 bond. Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy said an officer around 12:10 a.m. spotted a sport utility vehicle parked at the gas pumps of the Mr. Shortstop store at Alameda Street and 12th Avenue SE. The store was closed, but the officer saw a man standing between the vehicle and a gas pump. The investigating officer reported the man having a key to the pump along with overriding codes to activate the pump. The key unlocked a pump door that leads to a keypad on which to type the code. (NewsOK.com) Update: Stoops: Broyles Suspended Indefinite Period of Time

WR Strong quits team: Oklahoma wide receiver Fred Strong has left the football team, university officials confirmed Thursday. Strong, a sophomore from Austin, caught nine passes for 73 yards last season. Strong was expected to contribute to this year's team but wasn't healthy in the preseason and was passed on the depth chart by sophomore Adron Tennell and freshman Ryan Broyles. (Tulsa World)

Limited OU/North Texas tickets available: The University of Oklahoma Athletics Ticket Office has received a limited number of returned tickets from the University of North Texas for this Saturday's game. Tickets are currently available 24 hours a day online at SoonerSports.com, by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 800-456-4668 or 405-325-2424 during regular business hours Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office on the west side of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Tickets for the game are $47 each. The Sooners and Mean Green kick off this Saturday at 6 p.m. (SoonerSports PR)

Nic Harris -- OU's last line of defense: SoonerSports.com

No. 8 Oklahoma set for opener: SoonerSports.com

Football a way of life for the Dodge family: The Oklahoman

Statue brings to life the legend of Sooner great Billy Vessels: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

Bradford is OU's 12th freshman starting QB: Dallas Morning News

Labels: Arrested, Fred Strong, North Texas, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Broyles, Tickets, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU to ask NCAA for waiver to allow Mitchell memorial fund to continue: The University of Oklahoma will ask the NCAA for a waiver to allow a booster to continue raising money to help the family of a football recruit pay for the player's funeral, a school spokesman said Wednesday. Oklahoma athletic department spokesman Kenny Mossman said the university plans to submit a request to the NCAA for a waiver that would allow Fineberg to resume his fundraising. NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said the organization "would consider that if the university chose to go down that avenue." Mossman said Wednesday that the waiver request would "just outline the situation and parameters" of where the money would go and would likely be submitted to the NCAA within a few days. "I'm sure they'll recognize this is a situation that merits a quick review," Mossman said. (AP/ESPN.com)

Labels: Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU to use two punters in season opener: Bob Stoops said he expects to use two punters against North Texas game. Senior Michael Cohen will handle long kicks and junior Mike Knall will kick in short-field situations. (Dallas Morning News)

Oklahoma fan asked to stop fundraiser for Mitchell: Just hours after Oklahoma football recruit Herman Mitchell was shot to death Friday in Houston, Adam Fineberg started raising money for Mitchell's family. But after raising $4,500, enough to cover almost half the cost of Mitchell's funeral, Fineberg stopped. An OU compliance officer told him his actions would constitute an NCAA rules violation against the Sooners... That money is considered illegal financial assistance under NCAA rules because Mitchell's brother is a sophomore fullback at Westfield High School in Spring, Texas, and because Fineberg is an OU fan who attends Sooner football games and solicited donations through an OU fan Web site... OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said the an official with the university's compliance office contacted Fineberg on Monday asking to him halt his fundraising efforts until the OU received a rules interpretation from the NCAA. That interpretation came Tuesday. "This is not a permissible expense for OU or someone who could be construed as an OU supporter,” said Mossman, an associate athletic director for communications. "We're not trying to be the bad guys, but we have to play by their rules.” (In parts and more at NewsOK.com)

Murray, Franks and Holmes may be used in returns: OU will use Reggie Smith and Juaquin Iglesias as the kick returners Saturday. Both handled the job last season. Stoops said Murray might also be used, depending on how many carries he gets from his running back spot. Redshirt freshman safety Dominique Franks and senior defensive back Lendy Holmes could also be used. (Norman Transcript)

'07 O-Line largest in Stoops era: OU's offensive line is the largest of the Bob Stoops era, averaging 6 feet, 5 inches and 316 pounds.The beast of the group is 6-foot-8, 350-pound left tackle Phil Loadholt, who will go against right defensive end Jeremiah Chapman, who is listed at 6-4, 243 pounds. UNT's defensive line averages 274 pounds. (Star-Telegram)

No QB backup decided yet: Stoops said he hasn't chosen a backup quarterback for the UNT game, saying junior Joey Halzle and freshman Keith Nichol are still even. (Dallas Morning News)

High expectations followed recruits: The Oklahoman

Ranking the recruits: The Oklahoman

Multiple choice: Tulsa World

Sooner still fan of Vick: Tulsa World

Experience: Norman Transcript

Unheralded QBs have thrived: Enid News and Eagle

Conferences working to keep their officials away from scandal: Dallas Morning News

OU prepares for UNT with tapes of Carroll: Dallas Morning News

Labels: North Texas, Offense Line, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, Quarterbacks, Returns

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU wants secondary violation dropped: As previously posted; After consulting with a fellow Big 12 Conference school, Oklahoma wants the NCAA to strike a self-reported secondary rules violation from its record. Oklahoma reported that it had broken NCAA rules when it hung jerseys with three prospects' high school numbers in the Sooners' locker room when the recruits came to visit. The university's executive director of compliance, Jason Leonard, subsequently sent a letter to the NCAA asking to have that violation removed, according to documents obtained Friday through an open records request by The Associated Press. Leonard wrote that Oklahoma heard from compliance staff at Missouri after they'd read an AP story published June 12 detailing secondary violations that had been self-reported by Oklahoma. Leonard wrote that he was informed that Missouri – in a similar situation – had been told by a former NCAA official in 2005 that no secondary violation had occurred in that instance. (AP/Dallas Morning News)

Labels: NCAA, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma, Violations

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Secondary self-reported violations expected: As Big 12 Conference senior associate commissioner / chief operating officer Dan Beebe said in a statement Wednesday: "NCAA and Big 12 Conference rules require that member institutions self-report violations of NCAA legislation. It is common and expected that institutional athletics compliance programs that are functioning effectively will discover secondary violations from time to time." [Kenny] Mossman said "the NCAA is concerned if you don't have a number of secondary violations to report. They know the complexity of the rulebook, and they know that member institutions are going to misstep. (Secondary violations) are not a phenomenon unique to OU." (Tulsa World)

Oklahoma Statement on the NCAA Secondary Infraction and Supplement Error: From University of Oklahoma athletic department press release..

* The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department's compliance staff, as part of routine checks, recently uncovered NCAA rules infractions that were self-reported by the University and deemed to be secondary violations by the NCAA.

* The most recent self-report from OU to the NCAA included the distribution of ready-to-drink health supplements Cytomax and Endurox R4.

* CytoSport, the maker of Cytomax, acknowledged its error in a formal letter and subsequently sent the correct product.

* Products were returned in shipment April 17, 2007.

* Both are permissible substances for NCAA student-athletes to ingest, although it is impermissible for NCAA members to provide the products to student-athletes.

Castiglione should stay with Sooners: The Oklahoman

Big 12 may seek more dynamic leader: Dallas Morning News

Weiberg leaving Big 12 for job with Big Ten network: USA Today

OU explains violations: Norman Transcript

Labels: NCAA, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

University of Oklahoma reports violations, distributing banned supplements: Football players at Oklahoma were given two nutritional supplements banned by the NCAA before the school's compliance department detected the error and stopped the practice. According to documents obtained Tuesday through an open records request by The Associated Press, Oklahoma self-reported to the Big 12 Conference that it committed a secondary violation of NCAA bylaws last fall by providing "two nutritional supplements that contained impermissible substances." Oklahoma blamed one violation on a nutritional company inadvertently shipping a banned substance it identified as "an identical product bearing the same name" as a legal product that had been ordered by the university. In the second instance, Oklahoma reported the football program's strength and conditioning staff failed to review the ingredients of a new nutritional supplement. Both supplements were given to athletes before the mistakes were detected during a routine check by compliance staff. The remainder of the supplements were returned to the company that provided them. (AP/ESPN.com)

OU also reports improper contact: Oklahoma also reported that it committed a secondary violation when co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin called a football prospect the same week coach Bob Stoops had telephoned him and another when three prospects were shown lockers with jerseys featuring the numbers they wore in high school. (AP/ESPN.com)

Sooners land two more Texas recruits: Bob Stoops and Oklahoma just keep getting commitments out of Texas. The Sooners landed two more recruits from the state -- both from the Dallas/Fort Worth area - getting oral commitments from Garland defensive tackle Casey Walker (6-2, 290) and South Garland safety Joseph Ibiloye (6-3, 195). Oral commitments are nonbinding. The first day a recruit in the class of 2008 can sign a national letter of intent is Feb. 6. Walker chose the Sooners over Wisconsin, Boise State, Colorado and Ole Miss. Ibiloye went with the Sooners over Miami, Fla., Southern Cal and Texas A&M. (Dallas Morning News)

Reggie Smith on Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list: Oklahoma cornerback Reggie Smith has been named to watch list for the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football by the Football Writers Association of America. Smith is one of 49 players on the initial list. A junior, Smith was a first-team All-Big 12 selection by the Associated Press and a second-team pick by league coaches. (NewsOK.com)

Labels: NCAA, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting, Reggie Smith, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU meets with NCAA Committee: During a break Saturday morning, Brian Halloran wandered over to a small group of reporters and asked for the inside scoop: Who would win Oklahoma's quarterback battle? Halloran, a member of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions, politely declined to return the favor and answer reporters' questions. But the brief exchange might be of some encouragement to OU officials, who met with the infractions committee for more than four hours behind closed doors. Afterward, OU president David Boren said the school received "a fair chance” to answer charges of major rules violations involving football players' employment at Big Red Sports and Imports. And Halloran's question might lend credence to Boren's contention that the infractions committee appreciated the impact of OU's quick action when it discovered three players were paid for work they did not perform. Rhett Bomar's dismissal last summer led to the current quarterback quandary. "I think they have a good understanding of the harshness of the penalties,” Boren said. OU's official party, which numbered about a dozen, included coach Bob Stoops, athletic director Joe Castiglione and director of football operations Merv Johnson. (In part and more at NewsOK.com)

Washington Keynote speaker: Joe Washington says he always welcomes any chance to get back to Oklahoma. But this one will be extra special. Washington, the former University of Oklahoma running back and College Football Hall of Famer, is the keynote speaker at Friday's annual Awards and Scholarship Gala of the 100 Black Men of Tulsa. The banquet starts at 7 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown. (Tulsa World)

Peterson thinks the Brown will draft him: Adrian Peterson on where he thinks he'll be drafted: "My gut feeling? Cleveland at three. Sitting down with them [coach Romeo Crennel, GM Phil Savage], I get the feeling they're very, very interested. I would love it there. The fans in Cleveland are the closest to college fans in the NFL. I love the Dawg Pound. I think I can be a franchise back and really help the Browns turn it around.'' (SI.com)

Murray a future star, but unlikely to start: The Oklahoman

Spring Football and Bold Predictions: The Oklahoman

No surprises as OU, NCAA meet: Dallas Morning News

OU pleads its case at hearing: Tulsa World

OU awaits ruling from NCAA: Tulsa World

Gresham learning to block: Tulsa World

Two from NCAA panel back out for hearing: Tulsa World

Labels: Adrian Peterson, Joe Washington, NCAA, NCAA Investigation, Oklahoma Compliance, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

NCAA Releases final report on Bomar/Quinn: As anticipated, the University of Oklahoma has received its notice of allegations from the NCAA related to the employment of student-athletes at a Norman automobile dealership and has announced its self-imposed penalties. According to OU officials, after several months of additional review and investigation by the University and the NCAA the content of the notice revealed nothing new from the University's original report with respect to the focus of the investigation. "The notice is part of the process we anticipated and is based on information contained in the report we submitted to the NCAA on August 21, 2006," said OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. "The University diligently investigated this matter and has worked closely with the NCAA throughout this process so there are no surprises." The first allegation was reported by the University based on facts developed by its athletics compliance staff. The lone additional allegation included in the notice by the NCAA is that the institution failed to adequately monitor the specific employment of some student athletes during a limited period of time, a more limited allegation than "failure to monitor." "Upon completing our investigation, the University took action above and beyond what was required under the NCAA rules. The University permanently banned the involved parties from further athletics participation at the school. "Upon review, the NCAA reinstated the eligibility of the involved students. However, we maintained our original action of permanent dismissal of the involved parties. " More at SoonerSports.com

A third player took benefits, NCAA meeting set for April 14: Three Oklahoma football players, one more than the university has previously acknowledged, may have accepted money for work they did not perform at a local car dealership, according to an NCAA document disclosed Monday. School officials, including football coach Bob Stoops, will go before the NCAA committee on infractions on April 14 and argue their self-imposed penalties announced Monday are sufficient. OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said Monday night that the NCAA is alleging three players took money they didn't earn. But the university maintains that only two players, Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn, took excess pay from Big Red Sports/Imports in Norman. The NCAA, in its notice of allegations, says Oklahoma failed to monitor the working relationship of its players and Big Red, particularly with booster Brad McRae, who used to run the car dealership. (Dallas Morning News)

One Less Recruiting Coach: OU will also reduce the number of football coaches who can recruit off campus by one this fall. (Dallas Morning News)

NCAA Tells Oklahoma Something It Already Knew: AOL Sports Blog

NCAA drops no bombshells on OU: Norman Transcript

'No surprises' in call before NCAA: The Oklahoman

NCAA details case against OU: Tulsa World

Labels: Bob Stoops, JD Quinn, NCAA, NCAA Investigation, Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, Rhett Bomar, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma makes changes to compliance policy: In a series of measures aimed at preventing further violations of NCAA rules on recruiting phone calls, Oklahoma has instituted more frequent spot checks of telephone logs, created a new rules compliance manual and implemented a computer system to cross-reference coaches' phone calls. The changes, detailed in a report to the NCAA obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press through an open records request, address a lack of oversight that resulted in 577 impermissible recruiting phone calls by former Sooners men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff. The new guidelines call for compliance staff to meet with the school's head coaches on an individual basis, broaden rules education for student-athletes and review each sport's telephone logs at least twice per semester. A May infractions report suggested that Oklahoma's violations under Sampson could have been detected with even a "cursory review" of phone records. Athletic director Joe Castiglione, in a Dec. 1 letter to NCAA Committee on Infractions director Shep Cooper, wrote that a requested timetable for the changes had not been included because "the university has already implemented most of these enhancements." Castiglione's letter lists 24 steps that the university is taking in response to the investigation. (More at Tulsa World)

Eldridge's blocking key no matter what position he plays: The Oklahoman

OU compliance makes changes after violations: The Oklahoman

OU outlines phone call policy: Norman Transcript

Labels: Oklahoma Compliance, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting