Univ. Kentucky Fan Web site results in banned booster
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 1:58 pmPonyPride and Smoo Power are next.
Unapproved contact draws 27-year ban for Kentucky fan
From staff and wire reports
The University of Kentucky has banned a fan from any involvement with the school's sports programs for 27 years.
The decision to ban Brian Poe, 34, stems from unapproved contact with potential football recruits during the spring of 2002, the school said.
That means Poe, who runs a Kentucky fan Web site, cannot purchase season tickets. It also means no coaches, players, staff members or potential recruits can have contact with him.
The school originally banned Poe for two years after it was found he inappropriately interviewed high school recruits.
Kentucky compliance director Sandy Bell said she contacted the NCAA after finding out about Poe's initial interviews with recruits. She said she was told "we were responsible for his action. And we had to report those violations. Those kids did nothing more than say yes to an interview. It was very upsetting for the young men."
Bell said she found out from another booster that Poe was circulating e-mails asking for help in recruiting student-athletes to Kentucky. She said the school talked with NCAA officials, and as a result 25 years were added to the ban.
The NCAA says fan Web sites aren't considered media outlets and that the school might be accountable if a representative contacts a recruit. Such contact might be an NCAA violation.
Poe joins five others previously barred from associating with Kentucky athletics. Lexington horseman Tom Gentry received a lifetime ban for NCAA-related problems in the 1970s.
