Jackson punished for gift violations

A violation of an NCAA extra-benefits rule — Darnell Jackson receiving $5,000 worth of transportation, meals, lodging, gifts and a personal loan from an Oklahoma City booster — will cost the Kansas University sophomore nine games of his sophomore season.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement staff notified KU officials Tuesday that it had restored the basketball power forward’s eligibility on the condition he sit out 30 percent (nine games) of the 2005-06 season.

During that span, Jackson may practice with the team but cannot make road trips to Maui and New York. Also, he must repay the full value of the benefits, provided by KU graduate Don Davis between the fall of 2002 and April 2005.

It’s believed Jackson has until his eligibility expires to make financial retribution.

“Mr. Davis has been a friend of my family, a mentor and a positive influence on my life,” Jackson said of Davis, a KU booster who said he met Jackson “at a high school basketball game in Oklahoma City prior to his being recruited by the University of Kansas.”

“I didn’t realize at the time that certain aspects of our friendship violated NCAA rules,” Jackson said. “I understand that now, and I regret any embarrassment to my family, my university and Mr. Davis.

“This is a trying time in my life. I accept this decision and look forward to competing again for KU basketball.”

KU coach Bill Self said the athletic department uncovered possible violations “through an anonymous tip from a source in June.”

A source familiar with the investigation said the initial tip involved J.R. Giddens, who last summer transferred from KU to New Mexico — the NCAA spoke to Giddens about Davis — but the focus soon shifted from Giddens to Jackson.

At that time, KU’s athletic department contacted the NCAA and suspended Jackson from appearing in organized competition. The NCAA allowed him to play in Monday’s exhibition contest against Pittsburg State.

“I would say this situation is disappointing,” said Self, who indicated nobody in KU athletics was aware of the relationship between Jackson and Davis during the recruiting process. “I believe that, although inappropriate by NCAA rules, Mr. Davis’s intentions were sincere and were intended to be in the best interests of Darnell and his family.

“This is a rough stretch for him and his family, but Darnell has handled it very maturely. He understands that he has to accept responsibility, and he has done that.”

In the future … “if anybody has questions, they should ask,” Self said. “In this case, the parties involved felt theirs was a relationship prior to Darnell becoming a college prospect. Certainly if they would ask or had known the rules, things would be handled differently. If there are questions of what you can do, ask before you make decisions to do anything.”

KU severed its relationship with Davis.

“As a result of my actions, I have been disassociated from the University,” Davis said in a statement. Sources say this means his ticket privileges are rescinded a year or two and he cannot donate to the Williams Fund.

“I have no ill will toward the University of Kansas, for which I have always had and will continue to have a great affection and respect. I greatly regret that my actions have resulted in any adverse consequences to Darnell Jackson or his family.

“I consider Darnell Jackson to be one of the finest young men I know and a wonderful example of a college student-athlete. I also regret that my actions reflect negatively upon the University of Kansas. I apologize to Darnell, his family and the University of Kansas.”

Davis said he took an interest in Jackson, who lives in a one-parent home, during Jackson’s days as a prep.

“My interest in Darnell was reinforced greatly when I viewed a United Way video, which prominently mentioned Darnell and the difficulties he overcame as a young man to become the person of high character that I know him to be,” Davis said.

“During my relationship with Darnell, I provided him benefits that were in violation of NCAA rules. At the time I was uncertain if my conduct violated any NCAA rules, however, I erred in not contacting the University of Kansas athletic department or the NCAA to determine whether or not my relationship with Darnell would violate any relevant rules and regulations.”

KU athletic director Lew Perkins last summer released several secondary violations in the department and imposed sanctions on football and women’s basketball. The NCAA is reviewing the matter and ultimately will deem whether KU’s self-imposed sanctions are enough.

“This part of the investigation is over,” Self said. “It goes into the final report as a piece of the bigger investigation (currently ongoing regarding KU athletics).”

Perkins said: “The university appreciates the cooperation of the NCAA in this matter. We believe the NCAA acted very fairly and in a timely manner. We are committed to following the letter and spirit of NCAA rules.”

Jackson will be eligible to play Dec. 22 against Northern Colorado.

“It will affect rotation and inside depth. He was one of our better performers in practice the last month,” Self said, who still has C.J. Giles, Sasha Kaun, Christian Moody and Julian Wright on the inside. “We have enough good players and will adjust and perform well. We’ve got to have our young guys come through.”

¢ Hot gym: Allen Fieldhouse was unusually steamy during Monday’s game against Pittsburg State. “We had some issues with the heating and cooling system. We’ll straighten it out,” KU associate AD Jim Marchiony said. The new fieldhouse windows cannot open. “That will be moot (point concerning comfort). We’ll get it straightened out,” Marchiony said.

¢ Lew’s location: AD Perkins, who sat in a chair on court level on the baseline last year, now sits next to KU’s bench. KU’s radio crew has moved to the east press row because of fire-code issues that reduced space for the radio crew by one to two spots. KU media relations has lost 20 press-row seats because of fire-code issues.

¢ Tickets available: Because of returns from Idaho State, 200 tickets are available for Friday’s game. Tickets are $40 each. The game will be streamed as part of the “SBC Jayhawk All-Access” subscription package available via kuathletics.com. It is a one-time occurrence since the contest will not be part of the ESPN Full Court package. The game will air on Jayhawk TV and will be replayed on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6.