The NCAA will investigate Arizona’s program after the school reported a violation that occurred under former coach Lute Olson, who retired in 2008 shortly before this season started. The annual Cactus Classic, held at Arizona’s McKale Center, is at the center of the investigation. According to the Arizona Daily Star:
“The NCAA began initially looking into the matter last year after [Arizona] reported a secondary violation, a minimal NCAA infraction. The letter…was signed by then-coach Lute Olson. It asked private donors to give money to support the 2008 version of the spring event, which annually brings in hundreds of recruitable elite athletes.”
Arizona “initially self-reported Olson’s involvement in the Cactus Classic on July 2 in a letter to Pac-10 Conference associate commissioner Ron Barker, saying [Bill Morgan, Arizona’s associate athletic director for compliance] received a copy of a letter from Olson to UA donors requesting they support the event via private donations.”
According to NCAA rules, coaches cannot request private funding for events where recruits could receive direct or indirect financial benefit. Cactus Classic participants paid a $500 entrance fee, which included participation in games, lodging and a hotel, and meals for two days. It could be difficult to differentiate how event organizers spent the private donations and entrance fees. The Wildcats, led by interim coach Russ Pennell, have six players who attended the Cactus Classic.
