Wednesday, October 9, 1996
BASKETBALL:
Used vehicle’s low priced sale to recruit’s sister raises
specter of improprietyBy Rob Kariakin and Hye Kwon
Daily Bruin Staff
Charges surfaced Tuesday that a truck owned by UCLA head
basketball coach Jim Harrick was sold to the sister of basketball
recruit Baron Davis for several thousand dollars less than the
vehicle’s blue book value.
The car, a 1991 Chevy Blazer, was reportedly sold by Glenn
Harrick, the coach’s youngest son, two days after Davis orally
committed to play for UCLA next season.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Department of Motor Vehicles
records show that a 1991 Chevy Blazer registered to Harrick was
sold to Lisa Hodoh, the older sister of the Santa Monica Crossroads
High senior, on Sept. 20.
Shortly thereafter, Davis, who made a verbal commitment to
attend UCLA two days before on Sept. 18, was seen arriving at his
high school driving the vehicle.
Hodoh reportedly claimed to have purchased the car at an
auction. She denied buying the car from the coach himself, saying
instead that it came from a woman named Michelle Chissom, who has
since been identified as Glenn Harrick’s wife. However, as the
registered owner, Coach Harrick was required by law to sign over
the title upon sale.
When contacted by the Daily Bruin, Harrick declined to discuss
the matter.
"I can’t (talk)," he said. "I wish I could, but I can’t."
UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis issued a statement Tuesday
acknowledging that the school and the Pacific-10 conference had
begun a joint investigation into the matter. It is uncertain
whether or not the NCAA will become involved.
At the center of the controversy is the difference in price
between the $5,000 Hodoh paid for the car and its actual value,
reported to be anywhere from $4,000 to $16,000. If the value of the
car was greater than what Hodoh paid, the sale of the car would
violate NCAA rule 13.2.1.
Rule 13.2.1 states that anyone involved with an institution,
whether directly or indirectly, cannot "…give any financial aid
or other benefits to the prospect or the prospect’s relatives or
friends, other than expressly permitted by NCAA regulations."
If the $5,000 price is below market value, the thousands of
dollars in savings would constitute just such an illegal "benefit"
to the Davis family.
The Times quoted the Kelley Blue Book value of the Blazer at
$12,750 (not counting mileage), and claimed that a Southland used
car dealer felt the car was worth as much as $16,000.
However, three Southland car dealerships contacted by the Daily
Bruin claimed a true market value somewhere in the $4,000-$8,000
range. They explained that the car was seriously devalued by its
nearly 113,000 miles and absence of four-wheel drive.
"$5,000 is fair, " Don Moreno of Albertson Chevrolet-Geo said.
"That’s a fair price for the car. It really is."
In addition to any sanctions that might be handed down by the
Pac-10 or the NCAA, the incident could hurt the program by
adversely affecting this year’s recruiting effort.
As a junior last season, Davis averaged 16.6 points per game and
is now regarded by scouts around the nation as the premier point
guard prospect in his class. It was felt that he would serve as a
catalyst to bring in other top prospects.
Pac-10 officials will be on campus today to begin their
investigation, which could take as little as four to six weeks, or
as long as a year.
Mark Dittmer contributed to this report.
UCLA Sports Info
Coach Jim Harrick