EWU summary

The following are the highlights of the investigation conducted by Spokane Valley lawyer Karen Harwood. The investigation was started on April 6 and the report was presented on May 10. With the exception of the conclusion, the following material is paraphrased:

The alleged violation

Basketball coach Mike Burns entered into an agreement with Denny Humphrey, the father of a non-scholarship player (Rhett Humphrey), to provide extra compensation for summer coaching done by the father in lieu of providing a scholarship to the son.

NCAA bylaw 10.1, Unethical Conduct (condensed): The knowing involvement of offering a student-athlete an improper inducement.

NCAA bylaw 15.5.4.1 Men’s basketball: There shall be a limit of 13 on the total number of scholarships at each institution.

NCAA bylaw 16.02.3 Extra Benefit: Any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relative or friend a benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation. It is not a violation if the same benefit is available to any student at the institution.

Denny Humphrey’s story

Both Denny Humphrey and his son, Rhett, assert that Burns offered $13,000 in exchange for the elder Humphrey working the summer basketball camp as a coach. The money would go toward Rhett’s education to be paid in two installments. The Humphreys assert this was done to make up for Rhett’s lost scholarship, which Burns subsequently offered to another player.

Mike Burns’ story

Burns adamantly denies he told Denny and Rhett Humphrey that the extra money was provided to make up for the loss of scholarship to Rhett. Burns says he paid Humphrey extra money from the camp because of Humphrey’s past work and loyalty to the program.

Karen Harwood’s conclusion

“Although the circumstances of this situation appear suspicious, there was no reasonable motive for Coach Burns to knowingly violate the rules by providing an illegal de facto scholarship to Rhett Humphrey. Further, Burns has a reasonable alternative explanation for the actions that he took. Admittedly, Burns walked very close to the edge in this matter and exhibited poor judgment. However, I do not have sufficient evidence to find that he knowingly and intentionally paid additional compensation to Denny Humphrey in an effort to circumvent scholarship requirements.”

What’s next

Harwood’s investigative report has been forwarded to the NCAA. EWU’s interim athletics director Michael Westfall is hopeful of a quick response, but the timetable is unclear.