Published: December 13, 2006 01:17 am            

OU outlines phone call 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.

“The actions presented in this compliance report are representative of the university’s continued understanding and appreciation of its responsibilities as a member of the NCAA and of the university’s unequivocal commitment to operate its intercollegiate athletics program in compliance with NCAA rules and regulations,” Castiglione wrote.

Oklahoma’s athletics program remains under investigation for violations by the football program. Starting quarterback Rhett Bomar and lineman J.D. Quinn were dismissed in August after taking money for more work than they performed at a Norman car dealership. They were each ordered to pay back thousands of dollars in extra benefits through donations to charities.

Corrective measures also include booster education and meetings with coaches to discuss playing and practice seasons.

The university’s new computer system — called Comply and Verify — allows for “all calls placed from either a land line or a cell phone” to be tracked electronically and cross-referenced with information on prospects.

When a phone call appears to be in violation of rules, compliance staff are to seek an explanation from coaches. The system even calls for check-ups if a prospect’s phone log has an “unusually low number” of calls.

        

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