Attorneys’ fees racked up in a recent investigation into alleged NCAA violations at Missouri Western State University cost more than $36,000.

Western released the information to the News-Press Thursday, a day after revealing that three women basketball players might have received a total of more than $1,000 cash in previous seasons, which is in violation of NCAA rules.

Kent Heier, Western’s assistant public relations director, said in hiring outside counsel, the university wanted to carry out a thorough and as accurate a report as possible.

“We sought outside expertise,” Mr. Heier said. “The law firm we retained specializes in NCAA compliance issues ... We needed expertise and we’re paying for it.”

Western imposed upon itself a two-year probation which includes restrictions on recruiting, financial aid and scholarships as well as vacating wins posted in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

Mr. Heier said the NCAA enforcement staff will evaluate the 29-page report and do any follow-up investigation that is necessary. The NCAA will notify Western of any further allegations and the matter will be referred to the NCAA Division II committee on infractions, Mr. Heier said.

Mr. Heier said the NCAA committee will evaluate the evidence, including the penalties that Missouri Western has already imposed on itself, and will “determine whether violations occurred or whether additional penalties are warranted.” This phase may create additional expenses for Western, Mr. Heier said.

The alleged violations happened during head coach Josh Keister’s tenure at Western. Mr. Keister left Western in the spring of last year for an assistant head coach position at Texas Christian University. He’s no longer at TCU.

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com. Rick Dunaway contributed to this report. He can be reached at rickd@npgco.com.