Ivy League Concludes No Wrongdoing by Harvard Recruiters

The Ivy League has decided to not take any action against Harvard after concluding its investigation into potential improper recruiting activity by the Harvard men’s basketball program.
The allegations of recruiting violations by head coach Tommy Amaker and assistant coach Kenneth Blakeney were raised in a March 2008 New York Times article. It alleged that members of Amaker’s staff had made illegal contact with several recruits during the spring and summer of 2007. However, after an examination of records and interviews with relevant coaches and potential student-athletes, the Ivy League concluded that Harvard was not in violation of either NCAA or Ivy League rule.
The article also raised questions as to whether Harvard’s potential recruits met the academic standards required by Harvard. The Ivy League made no special investigation into these claims, but annually reviews each Ivy school’s recruiting classes. The review concluded that Harvard’s incoming men’s basketball recruits met all Ivy League obligations.
Harvard’s incoming freshman class for the men’s basketball team had received significant attention prior to the recruiting allegations due to its talent. The class was ranked in the top-25 nationally before recruit Frank Ben-Eze opted to go elsewhere.