THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 22, 1994 TAG: 9406220605
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: 940622 LENGTH: WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
The penalties will not keep the Demons Deacons off live television or out of the NCAA tournament.
{REST} The NCAA's decision ended a 20-month investigation into the basketball program's relationship with Ndiaye and the man coach Dave Odom had asked to serve as an interpreter.
``No one is more relieved than I that this matter has come to a conclusion and that we can now concentrate on the future of our basketball program,'' Odom said at a news conference.
In addition to imposing the probation, the NCAA cut the number of expense-paid visits in men's basketball from 12 to 10. Also, Odom cannot recruit foreign basketball players for the rest of the year, beginning July 5.
Odom and his program came under scrutiny when Ndiaye came from his native Senegal to attend Wake Forest. He participated in what was later determined to be an illegal workout at a local high school that Odom and assistant coach Ricky Stokes attended.
The more serious charge stemmed from the school's involvement with James Davies of Greensboro, who was brought on to be an interpreter for Ndiaye's parents, who speak French. ``Davies was asked to interpret telephone calls and nothing more,'' Odom said.
Davies later told Odom that he had become close to Ndiaye's family and that the recruit's father has asked him to be a friend, mentor and confidant.
``After some time, I began to get the sense that he no longer viewed himself as a simple translator,'' said Odom, who finally reported problems with Davies in November 1992 to the Wake Forest NCAA compliance officer.
``For a period of time, I viewed him as the young man's representative, not the university's'' Odom said. ``I can see how the NCAA enforcement staff could say `That's not possible because you brought him into the equation.' I didn't make that connection at the time.''
The NCAA infractions committee determined that Davies engaged in improper activities as a representative of Wake Forest. The panel said Davies made numerous contacts with Ndiaye and his family and improperly provided meals, lodging, transportation, clothing and financial arrangements to Ndiaye.
Odom said the experience taught him one lesson he'll carry through the rest of his coaching career.
``By nature, I'm a trusting individual,'' he said. ``Perhaps this situation will give me the wisdom to ask the appropriate questions.''
Ndiaye transferred to Michigan after he was declared ineligible to play at Wake Forest.
by CNB