December 24, 2020
Ohio State self-imposes 2020-21 postseason ban after investigation
Former women's basketball coach violated school's sexual harassment policy
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Three Ohio State athletic programs, including the women’s basketball team, have self-imposed a one-year postseason ban following an investigation that a former coach violated several NCAA and university rules.
Patrick Klein, the women’s basketball associate head coach who had been with the program for eight years, was being investigated for several infractions, including sexual harassment, recruiting violations and offering gifts and money to student-athletes. Some of these actions resulted in student-athletes participating while ineligible. Klein resigned in August 2019 after one week on administrative leave.
Per the summary disposition report submitted to the NCAA, the university received a Title IX report related to the women’s basketball team at the same time that an investigation into potential rule infractions on the fencing team was taking place. After receiving word of further possible infractions from members of the women’s golf team, the university opted to process the violations from all three programs together.
In addition to the 2020-21 postseason ban, the women’s basketball team was dealt several recruiting restrictions and must also vacate wins where ineligible athletes played.
A separate document said that women’s basketball head coach Kevin McGuff “had no knowledge of Klein’s improprieties, nor that NCAA violations occurred as a result of Klein’s improper relationships [with players].”
“The Ohio State University Department of Athletics is currently working cooperatively with the NCAA Enforcement Staff on an infractions case involving three sports programs: fencing, women’s golf and women’s basketball,” an Ohio State spokesperson said. “… As always, we are focused on supporting our student-athletes. NCAA rules and procedures prohibit us from sharing more information at this time.”
After a 4-0 start, the women’s basketball team paused all activities on Tuesday, Dec. 15 due to “an increase in positive COVID-19 tests within the program.” As of Friday, all of the team’s three remaining December games had been postponed.
