TOMMY FISHER 302 W.

BROAD STREET
OF COUNSEL MANSFIELD, TEXAS 76063
682.422.0009
DIRECT 682.422.0025 FAX 682.422.0008
TOMMY@LEASORCRASS.COM WWW.LEASORCRASS.COM

TO: Dr. Marc Smith

FROM: Tommy Fisher

DATE: March 6, 2019

RE: Investigation Concerning Coach Cathy Self-Morgan

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

This investigation report is being provided to the University Scholastic League (“UIL”) by the
Duncanville Independent School District (the “District”) administration pursuant to the verbal directive
given to the District at the conclusion of the UIL hearing on February 6, 2019. The February 6 hearing
concerned an Appeal of the District 6-6A Executive Committee Decision Regarding Eligibility of a
Student Athlete, Section 443, Changing Schools for Athletic Purposes. The DEC 6-6A previously ruled
that Hannah Gusters moved from Duncanville High School to Irving MacArthur High School for athletic
purposes. At the conclusion of the February 6 hearing, UIL Chairman Mike Motheral addressed the
District Athletic Director, Dwight Weaver. Specifically Chairman Motheral stated “We have a text
stream that actually starts on page 116, I believe of 127 pages, of documentation that points to Coach
Self-Morgan potentially being involved in some recruitment. Now, we’re not here to make a decision
on that today but we are here telling you at this point that you have a very important assignment ahead
of you. You and your superintendent, and you need to deliver this message back to him. And that is said
that there will be a very thorough investigation of Coach. And based upon the information that’s
available, and you got that or you can get it, that you will bring us back a report. You got one month to
get this accomplished. Bring back a report to let us know what your findings are. And let me be very
clear. This is not to be a superficial, just get it out of the way, kind of look into this situation. It is to be
real. The report is to be thorough and if there are findings, we’re going to have an expectation that you
folks are first going to take care of some issues. And then we will in the future have a hearing for the
coach”. Thereafter, this firm was retained by the District to conduct the investigation as directed by
Chairman Mike Motheral. This report is being provided to the UIL Executive Director and the District
Board of Supervisors.

OVERVIEW

On February 8, 2019, this firm was retained by Duncanville Independent School District to conduct an
investigation on its behalf as directed by UIL Chairman Mike Motheral on February 6, 2019. A copy of
the email directing this firm is attached as Exhibit “A”. By letter dated February 8, I advised Coach
Cathy Self-Morgan of the investigation and requested information from her. The February 8 letter to
Coach Self-Morgan is attached as Exhibit “B”. Coach Self-Morgan met with me on February 11 and
thereafter on March 1. I have spoken on the phone with her on numerous occasions throughout the
investigation. Coach Self-Morgan has been cooperative throughout the investigation.
March 6, 2019
2

I also interviewed the following persons on the dates indicated:

• Coach Cathy Self-Morgan on February 11, March 1 and on various dates via phone.

• Jack Morgan, spouse of Coach Self-Morgan, on February 11. I also communicated with Mr.
Morgan on several occasions between February 11 and the present.

• Theresa Nunn (Valdez), mother of Deja Kelly, the player allegedly recruited by Coach Self-
Morgan, on February 19.

• Keith and Rebecca Rufus, mother of Zaria Rufus, Duncanville player, on February 19.

• Eric Mims, father of Kiyara Howard-Garza, Duncanville player, on February 20.

• Nneka Bernard, mother of Duncanville player Anaya Bernard, on February 20.

• Milton and Tiffany Cormier, parents of Zyunn Cormier, Duncanville player, on February 20.

• Melissa Kingston, attorney for Sheridane Gusters, via phone on February 18 and 20.

• Earl Rooks via phone on February 26.

• Margaret Thomas on February 18.

• Chad Fitzgerald on March 1.

• Rob McQuaid on March 1 and on various dates via phone.

• Monika Johnson on March 1.

• Kathleen Brown February 20 and on various dates via phone.

• Lisa Miranda on the phone on February 28.

In addition to the foregoing, I reviewed documents provided to me by the District and persons
interviewed including but not limited to the documents attached hereto.

FINDINGS

Chairman Mike Motheral expressed concern regarding allegations of recruiting of players by the
Duncanville Lady Pantherettes basketball program and, specifically by head Coach Cathy Self-Morgan.
This investigation focused primarily on the allegations related to recruiting and, to the extent identified,
any other UIL matters identified during the investigation. The investigation results, findings and
recommendations are contained herein.
March 6, 2019
3

Recruiting is a Category A violation pursuant to Section 51 of the UIL Constitution. The Constitution
defines recruiting as follows:

cc) Recruit: to encourage a student in any way to change schools for the purpose of participating
in UIL activities at any grade level. It could include offering a student or the student’s parent
cash, waiver of tuition, board or lodging, transportation, promise of better conditions at the
participant school or on its team, a job or other valuable consideration to induce the student to
enroll in a participant school.

(pp) Valuable consideration: any tangible or intangible property or service that has any value,
including anything that is wearable, usable or salable.

Thus, a member school violates the ban on recruiting if any covered school district personnel encourages
a student to change schools for the purpose of participating in UIL activities. Illegal recruiting could
include offering a student or parent anything of value to enroll in the school. It is pursuant to this
definition that the investigation has been conducted.

ISSUE

Did Cathy Self-Morgan and/or the District engage in prohibited recruiting of students to participate
in the Lady Pantherettes Women’s Basketball program?

Cathy Self-Morgan has been the coach of the Duncanville Pantherette Women’s Basketball team for 19
years. She has achieved great success in that position, including multiple state championships. In August
of 2018, Deja Kelly enrolled in Duncanville ISD and participated as a member of the Pantherette
Basketball team. Previously, Deja Kelly had been a basketball player at San Antonio Johnson High
School where she was a member of the women’s basketball program. In conjunction with her transfer,
a Previous Athletic Participation Form (“PAPF”) was submitted on behalf of Kelly. A copy of the PAPF
for Jaslyn Deja Kelly is attached as Exhibit “C”. The Kelly PAPF did not indicate that she had
transferred to Duncanville High for athletic purposes. Kelly was allowed to participate in women’s
basketball for the 2018-19 season. A conflict arose between Hannah Gusters and Self-Morgan that
resulted in Gusters transferring to Irving MacArthur. The February 6 hearing dealt with Gusters’ appeal
of the DEC decision that she transferred for athletic purposes.

There were several allegations of recruiting made in the presentation to UIL on behalf of the student
appealing to UIL, Hannah Gusters. Counsel for Ms. Gusters asserted as follows:

“Ms. Nunn 1 also began reporting to other parents that Coach Self-Morgan had recruited Kelly
from San Antonio because she needed a good player on the Team and Coach Self-Morgan had
ensured that Ms. Nunn would have employment and housing at a discounted rate from a ‘friend
of the team’ and that ‘Coach Self-Morgan worked to recruit Kelly and helped Ms. Nunn get a
job as Director of Basketball Operations’ for his summer league teams and then on with
Duncanville as a Community Liaison and housing in Duncanville.”

1
Ms. Nunn refers to Theresa Nunn (Valdez), Deja Kelly’s mother.
March 6, 2019
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Ms. Gusters asserted that recruiting at Duncanville is a common occurrence. In support of these
allegations, Ms. Gusters relies upon several text messages between Coach Earl Rooks of Nike Pro Skills
and Coach Self-Morgan. Rooks coached both Deja Kelly and Hannah Gusters on his Nike Pro Skills
team. A copy of the text messages in question are attached hereto as Exhibit “D”. As the original text
messages attached to the Appeal are in small print and difficult to read, they are reproduced in relevant
part below:

Self: Hey coach, would you happen to have a contact number for deja Kelly mother at
Johnson in San Antonio? I’d appreciate any assistance
Rooks: (Sends Theresa (Deja) contact information)
Self: Is she going to coach for or with you this summer? And deja will be playing with
hannah right?
Rooks: She’s be operating in the capacity of a DOBO And yes ma’am, they will play
together
Self: What’s a DOBO
Rooks: Director of Basketball Operations
Will help on the court as well
Self: I just figured it out right before you text. Duh lol
Self: Hey earle, I can’t get Theresa’s number to open. Can you please give her my
number and ask her to call me tomorrow please?
Y’all are playing in SA this weekend?
Rooks: Good morning Coach Self! Do you have any time this morning to catch up?
Self: What time is good for you?
Rooks: I’m fairly flexible.
Self: I’ll call you from my office phone in about 15 minutes. Ok?
Rooks: Perfect
Self: $20/hour directly to coach opening and $25 rental to school per night. Starting next
week if I can get a coach to open during spring break? (Drop the $25 rental if you
can get me deja or imani?)
Rooks: Thank you so much coach!
You might as well drop the $25, I will make something happen one way or another.
Please let me know once you have confirmation next week.
Self: You just saved my sanity!!!! Bless you
Rooks: We can do a this together!
Self: You got it!!
Self: Yes, she does!
Any positive word on deja and or imani coming to Duncanville?
Teranie thomas will open red gym Tuesday-Thursday this week
(Sends Teranie Thomas contact information)
Rooks: Thank you!! Deja’s mom is open. Just needs a solid job.
Self: What kind of job is she qualified for?
Rooks: I’ll probe more tomorrow. I know she hasn’t finished her degree. Has coached quite
a bit in private schools.
Self: Teaching certificate? I’m going to need a 9th coach/assistant varsity
What does she do now?
Rooks: You good to meet with her sometime this weekend?
March 6, 2019
5

Self: Absolutely!!! I have a funeral in desoto 2:30 to probably 4:30 Saturday but that is
all on schedule for the weekend
Rooks: GM! Please give me a call today so we can talk through
Self: Are all your teams practicing today or just hannah’s?
Rooks: We cancelled
Self: Shucks! Was hoping Theresa was coming up. Thanks
Self: Is pro skills registered as a non profit charity organization?
Rooks: Yes ma’am
Self: I need to pick a non profit girls basketball group for Gatorade to award !,000 check
to in my name. Can you give me your email and specifics that I can send them?
Rooks: Yes ma’am, thank you!!
Self: Just watching Chantae play! Whoa! She is special!! Want her mother to leave her
here now!!!!!
Visited with mom for a minute trying not to draw too much attention.
Manohman, #15 on jason terry elite team dad is interested in coming here. She will
be a senior but great size! Little sister is 10 yrs old and 5’9” already. Brother plays
at Georgia tech
Any word on 6:00 cut?
Rooks: 32 will be cut before this evenings session – will bring the number to 70.
I expect that Deja, Hannah, and Sarah are all safe
Self: I’m excited theresa was offered the job at school and deja is going to be a
pantherette !!
Rooks: The pieces are coming together!
Self: Any word from Chantae Embry mother? Now I’m getting greedy!
Rooks: I will call her today.
Self: Great! Be glad to give her a tour and talk with a counselor anytime she’s ready

In the course of this investigation, interviews were conducted of Coach Self-Morgan, her husband, Jack
Morgan, Ms. Nunn, parents and players who have transferred into the Lady Pantherette basketball
program, personnel involved in the transfer process and others. Contact was made with Earl Rooks,
who refused to answer any questions regarding this matter. Melissa Kingston, counsel for Gusters was
also contacted. Ms. Kingston represented that Ms. Gusters refused to participate in the investigation
and that the only evidence Ms. Gusters possessed to support her recruiting allegations was attached to
the appeal documentation. Thus, the only evidence to support the allegations is contained in the text
messages above.

Initially, the text messages do not support the conclusion that Coach Self-Morgan acquired Ms. Nunn a
job as Director of Operations of Rooks’ organization. To the contrary, Coach Self-Morgan was informed
of Ms. Nunn’s position for the first time by Rooks and inquired as to what the acronym “DOBO” used
by Rooks referred to. This is supported by the statements of both Coach Self-Morgan and Ms. Nunn.
Ms. Nunn played college basketball and has coached both AAU and private high school basketball
teams. She appears to be qualified to act as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Pro Skills
organization. Accordingly, I find no support for the allegation that Coach Self-Morgan assisted Ms.
Nunn with getting a job as Director of Basketball Operations with Rooks.

Several of the text messages between Rooks and Coach Self-Morgan certainly give the appearance of
impropriety. Coach Self-Morgan appears to offer use of the Duncanville gym to Rooks free of charge
March 6, 2019
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if Rooks can get two players for Self-Morgan – Kelly and Imani. Rooks’ Nike Pro Skill women’s team
did practice at Duncanville High for several months in 2018 free of charge. However, the practice of
allowing Duncanville gym usage free of charge occurred in the years prior to 2018. In addition, free
gym usage was granted to several other teams for 2018 and prior years. For 2018, Rooks’ teams used
the Duncanville gyms free of charge twice monthly for May-July. In comparison, other teams used the
gym at no charge 11 times over 3 months and 18 times over 4 months. The Rooks teams had 16
Duncanville basketball players participating on 4 teams. The other teams had 5 Duncanville girls on a
single team and only Duncanville girls on the third team. It appears that the free usage of Duncanville
gyms was not tied to recruiting of any player, rather; it was typical practice to allow free usage to teams
and programs that had several Duncanville girls participating. Thus, it does not appear that Rooks was
given free gym access to deliver two players to Self-Morgan. In addition, other than a single brief
conversation between Imani’s mother and Self-Morgan at a basketball tournament, there was no contact
between Imani’s parents and Self-Morgan or anyone at Duncanville. Imani did not transfer to
Duncanville. While the practice of allowing free gym usage is not consistent with District policy as set
forth below, the practice doesn’t constitute recruiting.

There is discussion in the text messages about the potential donation of $1,000 on Self-Morgan’s behalf
from Gatorade. In 2017, Self-Morgan received the Gatorade Coaching Excellence award. The award
included a $1,000 donation to a registered not for profit organization which met certain criteria. Self-
Morgan stated that she considered having the donation made on her behalf to the Nike Pro Skills
organization run by Rooks. She identified the Rooks organization had up to 16 Duncanville players on
the various rosters. However, the donation was not made since the Rooks organization did not meet the
required criteria.

The allegation that Self-Morgan helped Nunn get a job as a Community Liaison with the District was
investigated. Nunn was hired as a Family Engagement Liaison on June 12, 2018. She applied for a total
of 11 jobs with the District. She applied for 6 different jobs at Duncanville High School on April 18,
2018. Thereafter, she applied for 5 other jobs with the District, one at Duncanville High School, two at
the Education Plaza and two with the Athletic Department. She interviewed for only the Family
Engagement Liaison position. She was screened out of the remaining jobs and did not receive an
interview for any. She was granted an initial phone interview for the Family Engagement Liaison
position and then an in person interview for the position. 143 people applied for the Family Engagement
Liaison position and a total 23 applicants were granted in person interviews. 3, including Nunn, were
offered positions as Family Engagement Liaisons. In addition, both Nunn and Self-Morgan deny the
allegation. There is no evidence that Self-Morgan, Nunn, or anyone in the Athletic Department was
involved in the employment process for the position. As a result, I find that there is not sufficient
evidence to conclude Self-Morgan assisted Nunn in obtaining a job with the District as a Family
Engagement Liaison.
March 6, 2019
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The allegation that Self-Morgan assisted Nunn in obtaining housing in Duncanville was investigated.
Self-Morgan denied providing any housing information or assistance to Nunn. This denial was
independently supported by Nunn. Both Nunn and the District counselor responsible for all transfer
students, Chad Fitzgerald, stated that he provided general housing information to Nunn; the name of a
company that managed several rental properties, apartment names, and locations of several apartment
complexes. None of the information given was unique to Nunn and was often given to families moving
into the Duncanville area. There is no evidence that the housing obtained by Nunn was at a discounted
rate or that any assistance was given by Self-Morgan. Based on the foregoing, I have found no support
for the allegation that Self-Morgan assisted Nunn in acquiring housing in Duncanville.

FINDINGS

There is insufficient credible evidence to conclude that Cathy Self-Morgan engaged in prohibited
recruiting with regard to Deja Kelly’s transfer to the Duncanville Independent School District. The
preponderance of the credible evidence supports that no prohibited recruiting took place.

During the course of this investigation, some evidence was discovered regarding practices that do not
amount to violation of the UIL Constitution but are not consistent with what we believe to be best
practices in these areas. In particular, policies and practices related to usage of facilities should be
considered for revision. However, while there has been no finding of prohibited recruiting, the actions
and interactions of the basketball staff indicates that the perception of outsiders can often result in
allegations that, while ultimately unsubstantiated, are costly and harmful to the District. Self-Morgan
resigned from the District prior to the UIL hearing on February 6. However, the remaining Athletic
Department personnel are at risk of engaging in similar activities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The District provide all of its athletics personnel with UIL compliance training.
2. The District prepare and provide to any prospective athletic transferee documentation regarding
the definition of recruiting by the UIL, an explanation of the recruitment prohibition and a
District administrative employee not affiliated with the Athletic Department to whom any
concerns regarding recruiting should be directed.

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS

During the course of this investigation, it became apparent that the practices related to non-school use
of facilities, particularly athletic facilities, have deviated from the District policies on use as set forth in
GKD (Local) and GKD (Exhibit). A copy of GKD (Local) and (Exhibit) are attached as Exhibits “E”
and “F”. GKD (Local) allows use of District facilities by certain organizations. Certain nonprofit groups
that “directly benefit the District and Community” may be approved to use facilities without payment
of rental fees. All other organizations not qualifying for the rental waiver are required to pay rental and
other fees for use. In addition, groups using facilities are required to provide a release of liability and
acceptable proof of insurance prior to use. In some circumstances, this policy has been followed and
appropriate waivers and insurance provided. See Exhibit “G” as an example of District Facilities Rental
Agreement. In other instances, an Athletic Facilities Request Form has been used that does not comply
with the District Policy. In addition, some organizations, for example AAU basketball organizations,
have been given access to athletic facilities with no charge for facilities and only a requirement that a
March 6, 2019
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gym supervisor be paid directly for each use. The failure to follow district policies regarding facilities
usage does not arise to a violation of the UIL Constitution. However, the practice is inconsistent with
policy and best practices and should cease.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The existing GDK (Local) policy should be modified to authorize only the executive director for
facilities management to approve use of all facilities, including use of athletic facilities.
2. All athletic department personnel should be advised immediately of the change in policy and the
immediate discontinuation of the current practices for athletic facilities usage.
3. Use of the Athletic Facilities Request Form in lieu of the Facilities Rental Agreement should
immediately be discontinued.
4. Current policies, practices and agreements should be reviewed and updated as appropriate to
ensure that all usage of facilities are done in a manner consistent with District policy.
5. The practice of having payment made directly to school personnel who provide facilities
supervision should be discontinued. Payment to personnel providing faculty supervision should
be made through District payroll.

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS

During this investigation, it was necessary to obtain PAPFs for girls currently participating in women’s
basketball programs. During this process, it was found that there is no policy or procedure for retention
of the PAPFs and it was difficult to locate the requested information. Some of the PAPFs have not yet
been located. While not amounting to violation of the UIL Constitution, the filing practices related to
PAPFs is not appropriate.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Athletic Director shall implement a written policy to maintain physical and electronic files
on every PAPF submitted on students transferring to or from Duncanville ISD.
2. The files created above will be maintained by the District for not less than 5 years after the
student leaves the District.

SUMMARY

Based on the foregoing, insufficient evidence exists to find that Cathy Self-Morgan engaged in
prohibited recruiting. Notwithstanding this finding, available evidence indicates a need for additional
training of staff and education of athletic participants regarding recruiting. Likewise, policy
improvements related to both facilities usage and record keeping should be implemented as soon as
practicable. Should there be any additional information needed, please do not hesitate to contact the
undersigned.

Sincerely,

Tommy Fisher