Is Kansas in danger of losing basketball title? - DodgeBoard.com

wordsmythe · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 09:39 AM

Personally I don't care about sports but I thought this might be something some of you might want to follow.
Is Kansas in danger of losing basketball title? - Game on - USATODAY.com

A key member of Kansas' 2008 national championship basketball team shouldn't have been eligible to play in college, according to a Dallas television station. WFAA-TV alleged last night that Kansas sophomore forward Darrell Arthur had unmerited grade changes that kept him eligible at South Oak Cliff High.

WFAA quoted Arthur’s former math teacher, Winford Ashmore, saying he was asked by then-principal Donald Moten and current basketball coach James Mays to inflate Arthur’s grades in his prep freshman year of 2002-03.

"Since Darrell Arthur really did not pass algebra, which means he did not clear the (NCAA) clearinghouse, that also means that he really should not have been eligible for a Division I major college scholarship," Ashmore said.

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Made in the USA · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 12:42 PM

Report: Grades were changed to keep KUs Arthur eligible in high school
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star

LAWRENCE | One of the key components of Kansas’ national championship team, according to a Dallas television report, never should have been eligible to play to begin with in college.

WFAA-TV, Dallas’ ABC affiliate, reported on its Thursday evening newscast that KU sophomore forward Darrell Arthur had numerous grades changed to keep him eligible as a high school player at South Oak Cliff High.

The station’s primary source was Arthur’s former math teacher, Winford Ashmore, who said that he was asked by then-principal Donald Moten and current boys basketball coach James Mays during Arthur’s freshman year in 2002-03 to bypass the rules for the superstar athlete.

“Since Darrell Arthur really did not pass Algebra, which means he did not clear the (NCAA) clearinghouse, that also means that he really should not have been eligible for a Division I major college scholarship,” Ashmore told the station.

The station documented three instances when Arthur’s grades were altered:

•The most recent transgression happened during Arthur’s junior season of 2004-05, when Arthur led South Oak Cliff to the Class 4A state championship. The station said that Arthur received no grades at all during his fall semester but that his grade was changed to a 70 in September of 2005 without explanation.

•Ashmore provided the station with his grade book from Arthur’s freshman year, which showed that Arthur was receiving grades of 45, 25 and 24 on assignments. Ashmore said he told Moten and Mays that Arthur would receive a failing grade, despite their request for him to pass Arthur. But days later, the station reported, Arthur was dropped from Ashmore’s class without the teacher’s permission. Transcripts revealed that Arthur was awarded a 70 for the period in question.

•The station reported that Arthur failed math in the spring of 2003, again his freshman year, with a grade of 64. But school records also showed that in January of 2005 — two years later — Moten allowed the failing grade to be changed to a 72.

According to the station, the reason given for the change was, “teacher bubbled (the grade) incorrectly.”

The allegations against Arthur are just the latest black eye on a once-proud South Oak Cliff program. The school already had its 2005-06 Class 4A state championship stripped in January after a WFAA report that said Arthur’s teammate, Kendrake Johnigan, had a grade changed. If Arthur’s grade was indeed altered during his junior year, the school’s 2004-05 state title could be in jeopardy as well.

As for Arthur’s newly won championship — the Jayhawks’ 2008 national title — the station cited an interview with the NCAA and claimed that KU may be forced to forfeit any or all games involving Arthur. Jim Marchiony, KU’s associate athletic director for external affairs, disputed the claim. Marchiony said he would find it hard to believe that Kansas could be punished for something it had no knowledge of from Arthur’s high school academic career.

KU coach Bill Self and Arthur’s mother, Sandra Arthur, were unavailable for comment.

Arthur helped the Jayhawks to their first national title in two decades with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the title game victory over Memphis. Arthur has declared for the NBA draft, but has decided not to hire an agent, keeping his college eligibility alive. Marchiony said that Arthur is back in Dallas after finishing his finals this week.

To reach J. Brady McCollough, Kansas reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4363 or send e-mail to jmccollough@kcstar.com

K C Muffin · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 08:47 PM

I guess my first question would be whether or not the college recruiters knew his grades were inflated. If not, why would it be so wrong for them to offer him a scholarship? In that case, and if the articles are correct, the blame falls directly on the coach and the teacher that bowed under the pressure. Leave the college out of it.

Made in the USA · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 03:24 AM

Well, I would say that he definitely should sign an agent now. As for the schools and grades, that happens a lot! Sports have gotten to be a higher priority than grades. I wonder how many NBA players can write a complete sentence, or speak one for that matter. Yet, they are making millions!

doc holliday · #5 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 06:37 AM

I wonder, if he couldn't pass a high school class, how has he had high enough grades to even play in college? Never mind, I think I know the answer........$$$!