Former College Basketball Coach Sentenced to Arizona Prison for Scamming Players

A former basketball coach at Central Arizona College, Denise Cardenas, has been sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of fraud and theft in Pinal County Superior Court. The case unfolded following an investigation that revealed Cardenas was instructing students with full scholarships to pay half of their tuition, leading to financial discrepancies.

Upon scrutinizing Cardenas’ bank account records, it was discovered that students were depositing money into her personal account, as disclosed by the Pinal County Attorney’s Office. Furthermore, Cardenas allegedly requested funds from a player’s family for new uniforms, but these contributions were never transferred to the basketball team’s account. Additionally, money raised from a holiday fundraiser went missing from the team’s financial records.

Expressing disappointment over the situation, Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer remarked on the betrayal of trust, stating, “To see such a trusted and revered community member prey on her players for her own financial gain is saddening. I’m proud of the victims that had the courage to come forward and help hold their coach accountable.”

As part of her sentencing, Cardenas, aged 45, will be placed on supervised probation for three years following her release from prison and is required to pay $25,000 in restitution to the college. The Pinal County Attorney’s Office confirmed that the college has already reimbursed the defrauded students affected by Cardenas’ actions.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in educational institutions, emphasizing the need for proper oversight and ethical conduct within athletic programs. The repercussions of financial misconduct not only impact the institution but also tarnish the reputation of individuals entrusted with guiding and mentoring students.

Moving forward, the college and authorities are focused on ensuring that such incidents are prevented through enhanced monitoring and stringent measures to safeguard students and uphold the integrity of educational institutions. The case of Denise Cardenas sheds light on the significance of maintaining ethical standards and fostering a culture of trust and responsibility in academic and sports settings.