The complaints that Tennessee lodged concerning Connecticut’s women’s basketball recruiting practices were cumulative in nature and not based on a singular, seismic event.

UT filed more than 30 pages of documents with the SEC office during a five-month period in 2006. Everything from newspaper articles and photos to Internet chatroom e-mails were submitted in alleging a pattern of violations. The New Sentinel obtained the information Friday after making a request through the Tennessee Public Records Law..

The material submitted by Tennessee alleges that multiple NCAA bylaws pertaining to boosters involvement, permissible recruiters and offers and inducements, among others, might have been violated.

Among the specifics:

n There are multiple references to the role of former UConn players Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird in the recruiting process.

n Connecticut’s 2005 Super Show, an annual October event that typically draws former players and recruits, was mentioned prominently.

n Although the name was redacted, there’s an apparent reference to then-top recruit Maya Moore’s visit to ESPN. The sports and entertainment network reported last month that UT raised a complaint over a private tour the Huskies women’s basketball office helped arrange in October 2005 for Moore and her mother, Kathryn.

The material gives weight to a comment made by Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma during a press conference last Tuesday. When asked about the series between the two schools ending, he referred to Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt in saying, “She accused us of cheating at recruiting.”

Tennessee opted not to sign a contract sent by UConn last spring, which would’ve extended the series by two seasons.

When reached Friday, Summitt continued her practice of not commenting on the ongoing saga.

Lady Vols athletic director Joan Cronan issued a statement that said, “We supplied the requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act and have nothing further to add.”

In a letter dated July 27, 2006, Cronan wrote: “From time to time, we have encountered situations related to the University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball program that would seem to be a violation of the rules. On occasion, we have called the compliance office at Connecticut to determine how they do some of the things we had questions about — in hopes that we could do the same thing — only to be told they would get back to us, which never occurred.”

Regarding Taurasi’s and Bird’s activities, UT submitted two newspaper stories in which prospect Caroline Doty described how a conversation in Auriemma’s office with the former UConn stars played a factor in her choosing the Huskies.

There’s another reference to a student-athlete, who’s name was redacted, telling her AAU coach that Taurasi and Bird met her at the door of Gampel Pavilion upon her arrival for the 2005 Super Show and escorted her to the coaches’ office.

A chatroom entry submitted described Bird and Taurasi “schmoozing” with then-top prospect Elena Delle Donne after her visit for a Super Show.

There’s no mention, however, of Bird and Taurasi offering Moore, then a high school junior, a ride to the Naismith Awards event after the 2006 Final Four. Connecticut reportedly had to produce documents proving Taurasi’s and Bird’s whereabouts in April 2006. They were playing with a team from Moscow in the European Championships.

Taurasi was quoted in the Hartford Courant at the time as saying, “When I visit (Auriemma) and I try to do so as often as I can because of all his family did for me when I was there, the only people I talk to are the current players.”

Other Super Show complaints included fans tailoring signs for recruits and then giving them to their parents. Media members interviewing recruits also was submitted.

Tennessee also alleged that former Connecticut players are allowed to practice with the team on a regular, rather than an occasional basis.

In the 2006 letter, Cronan said the information submitted by UT, “comes as a result of discussion among basketball coaches at the SEC Spring meeting, information shared by AAU and high school coaches, prospective student-athletes, as well as numerous other individuals.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.