NCAA violations for Missouri-St. Louis
September 3, 2010
ST. LOUIS (AP)—The NCAA slapped the University of Missouri-St. Louis withtwo years of probation Friday, saying the former golf coach at the Division IIschool violated anti-gambling rules by running a “multimillion-dollar” fantasysports league and playing in others.
The NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions also publicly reprimanded andcensured the university and issued a three-year show-cause order for the formercoach. The NCAA did not name the coach, but the university said Dustin Ashby washead coach from 2004 through 2008, when the violations occurred. The show-causeorder limits Ashby’s duties if he is employed at a NCAA member school throughSept. 2, 2013.
A phone message left with Ashby was not returned.
University spokesman Bob Samples noted that the probation does not affectpostseason play or the eligibility of any student-athletes.
“We do not intend to appeal the ruling and we will abide by all theconditions of the probation,” Samples said.
According to the NCAA, Ashby paid an entry fee and played fantasy footballand baseball for prizes, violating NCAA rules on sports wagering. The coach alsobought and operated an online fantasy football business.
“The former head coach was part-owner and facilitated all fantasy leaguecompetition for a multimillion-dollar operation,” said Wendy Taylor May, seniorassociate athletics director at the University of California, San Diego, whochaired the infractions committee.
As part of his fantasy league operation, Ashby hired a former volunteercoach, identified by the university as Adam Frillman, who acted as commissioner,the NCAA said. Frillman then hired three of the team’s golfers in 2008.
The university drew criticism from the NCAA for failing to adequatelyeducate and monitor the men’s golf program about rules concerning involvement infantasy sports, and for inadequately investigating after learning of Ashby’spossible involvement.
Ashby resigned in August 2009, though Samples would not say if theresignation was due to the NCAA investigation. Frillman also resigned. The threegolfers hired by Frillman were initially declared ineligible once the universitylearned of the infractions, but were reinstated a short time later after theNCAA determined they did not appear to be in violation of any rules, Samplessaid.
NCAA rules against sports wagering list examples of activities that are notallowed. Those activities include “pools or fantasy leagues in which an entryfee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize.”
The University of Missouri-St. Louis is one of four schools under theUniversity of Missouri System.
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