Sunday, May 09, 1999
Dayton trustee concedes loans to recruit's father
DAYTON, Ohio — A Dayton trustee acknowledged he made two personal loans to a basketball recruit's father, in violation of NCAA rules, the Dayton Daily News reported Saturday.
Clayton Mathile, chairman of the board of the Iams Company, said he made the loans last summer to Chuck Hall, father of Troy High star Brooks Hall, to help the elder Hall qualify for a home mortgage.
Mathile's loans, which he reported to Dayton officials “a few days” later, led to the current NCAA investigation of the basketball program.
Mathile said he made the loans after Hall verbally committed July 14 to play basketball at Dayton, but before Hall signed his national letter of intent with the Flyers Nov. 11.
“Had I known I was violating an NCAA rule I certainly would not have done it,” said Mathile, who declined to specify the loan amounts.
Mathile said Chuck Hall was advised to repay the loan and did.
Mathile has offered to resign from the board of trustees.
Brother Raymond Fitz, the university president, expressed concern, but said he will not recommend that Mathile resign.
“This is a serious issue and I wish it hadn't happened,” Fitz said. “But what I'm pleased about is how Clay stepped forward and we went through the proper process.”
UD officials reported the violation to the NCAA in October and conducted an in-house investigation with the assistance of an outside law firm.
Brooks Hall, whose future is at issue, was at home but unavailable, according to his father.
UD vice-president and director of athletics Ted Kissell said Hall remains eligible to play basketball.
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