That ticking sound is tied to the U of M Tigers’ future
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/3832/1/That-ticking-sound-is-tied-to-the-U-of-M-Tigers-future/Page1.html
By Tri-State Defender Newsroom
Published on 06/11/2009
A clock not likely to ring for at least six weeks is ticking after the NCAA met with University of Memphis officials (June 6) to discuss major violations that could affect the school’s 38 wins during the 2007-08 season.
That ticking sound is tied to the U of M Tigers’ future
by Cliff Brunt
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS – A clock not likely to ring for at least six weeks is ticking after the NCAA met with University of Memphis officials (June 6) to discuss major violations that could affect the school’s 38 wins during the 2007-08 season.
An NCAA spokeswoman said a ruling is expected between six and eight weeks. The most serious allegation taken up at the meeting was whether an unknown person took the SAT for a player.
The NCAA has said the athlete in question played for the Tigers for only the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The only person who fits the description in documents obtained by The Associated Press is Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft after that season.
Athletic director R.C. Johnson had no comment as he left the four-hour meeting. U of M president Dr. Shirley Raines also would not speak, but issued a statement.
“Although we cannot comment on the specifics of what occurred during the hearing, I can say that as president, I reiterated the university’s commitment to NCAA rules compliance,” Raines said. “We believe we were able to fully answer the committee’s questions and present the actions we have already taken based upon our internal investigations.”
U of M officials have said the school should keep the victories from the 2007-08 season that ended in the national title game. “We are hopeful that we will receive a favorable decision on behalf of the university in this matter,” Raines said. “We look forward to having more to say after the committee has released its decision.”
A letter from the NCAA forced new Kentucky coach John Calipari to participate in the hearing. The NCAA says Calipari, who coached the Tigers during the season in question, isn’t considered “at risk” in the probe.
Calipari explained in one letter that he wouldn’’ be able to attend because of a previously scheduled trip to China, but the chairman of the NCAA’s committee on infractions told him he needed to participate anyway, either through phone or video conference.
The U of M confirmed that Calipari took part in the meeting by phone.
The Tigers could face similar meetings with the NCAA in the future. Another player, Robert Dozier, also has had questions surface about his entrance exams.
Dozier’s inconsistent SAT scores prevented him from being admitted to the University of Georgia in 2004. His initial SAT score was invalidated by the company that scores the exam, and his follow-up score was dramatically lower, according to Georgia records obtained by The Associated Press.
Dozier’s four-year career at Memphis ended with the 2008-09 season.
Dozier’s SAT problems were first reported by ESPN.com. Johnson declined to comment Friday on Dozier when contacted by The Associated Press, saying he was focused on preparations for Saturday’s hearing.
However, earlier Johnson told ESPN.com he was confident the school had “done all the things we’re supposed to do” regarding Dozier.
Looking for a replacement for Calipari, the U of M contacted several high-profile coaches but ended up turning to 31-year-old Calipari assistant Josh Pastner.
Pastner, who has said he knew nothing about the NCAA allegations before being hired, declined Saturday to talk about any possible effects from the investigation on the new program he is building. He did not participate in the meeting with the NCAA.
“There’s just so much to look forward to, so much positive,” Pastner said. “There’s so much positive, academically, athletically and socially at the University of Memphis that I’m just talking about all the positives about the University of Memphis.”
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS – A clock not likely to ring for at least six weeks is ticking after the NCAA met with University of Memphis officials (June 6) to discuss major violations that could affect the school’s 38 wins during the 2007-08 season.
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| U of M Athletic Director R.C. Johnson gets grilled by the media before a fund-raising roast prior to the June 6 meeting with NCAA officials. (Photo by Earl Stanback) |
The NCAA has said the athlete in question played for the Tigers for only the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The only person who fits the description in documents obtained by The Associated Press is Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft after that season.
Athletic director R.C. Johnson had no comment as he left the four-hour meeting. U of M president Dr. Shirley Raines also would not speak, but issued a statement.
“Although we cannot comment on the specifics of what occurred during the hearing, I can say that as president, I reiterated the university’s commitment to NCAA rules compliance,” Raines said. “We believe we were able to fully answer the committee’s questions and present the actions we have already taken based upon our internal investigations.”
U of M officials have said the school should keep the victories from the 2007-08 season that ended in the national title game. “We are hopeful that we will receive a favorable decision on behalf of the university in this matter,” Raines said. “We look forward to having more to say after the committee has released its decision.”
A letter from the NCAA forced new Kentucky coach John Calipari to participate in the hearing. The NCAA says Calipari, who coached the Tigers during the season in question, isn’t considered “at risk” in the probe.
Calipari explained in one letter that he wouldn’’ be able to attend because of a previously scheduled trip to China, but the chairman of the NCAA’s committee on infractions told him he needed to participate anyway, either through phone or video conference.
The U of M confirmed that Calipari took part in the meeting by phone.
The Tigers could face similar meetings with the NCAA in the future. Another player, Robert Dozier, also has had questions surface about his entrance exams.
Dozier’s inconsistent SAT scores prevented him from being admitted to the University of Georgia in 2004. His initial SAT score was invalidated by the company that scores the exam, and his follow-up score was dramatically lower, according to Georgia records obtained by The Associated Press.
Dozier’s four-year career at Memphis ended with the 2008-09 season.
Dozier’s SAT problems were first reported by ESPN.com. Johnson declined to comment Friday on Dozier when contacted by The Associated Press, saying he was focused on preparations for Saturday’s hearing.
However, earlier Johnson told ESPN.com he was confident the school had “done all the things we’re supposed to do” regarding Dozier.
Looking for a replacement for Calipari, the U of M contacted several high-profile coaches but ended up turning to 31-year-old Calipari assistant Josh Pastner.
Pastner, who has said he knew nothing about the NCAA allegations before being hired, declined Saturday to talk about any possible effects from the investigation on the new program he is building. He did not participate in the meeting with the NCAA.
“There’s just so much to look forward to, so much positive,” Pastner said. “There’s so much positive, academically, athletically and socially at the University of Memphis that I’m just talking about all the positives about the University of Memphis.”