Earlier today, the NCAA held a telephone news conference and released their decision concerning the allegations against the University.

I want to emphasize that the University fully co-operated with the NCAA and that this was a joint investigation.

While we respect the NCAA process, we disagree with the decision to invalidate the ’07-’08 men’s basketball season, including the NCAA tournament and our championship game appearance. We will appeal their decision.

Specifically, we disagree with the NCAA’s decision regarding a student athlete’s SAT test score. We did our due diligence.

The student was cleared by the NCAA eligibility center twice—routinely before the season, and, again, after we reported a high school grade change, which did not affect his eligibility.

Most importantly, the SAT test was not invalidated until after the team’s season was over, nearly a full year after he took the exam. The University followed all of the rules regarding eligibility, and we think the penalty is unfair.

With regards to the committee’s allegations of travel issues, we agree with the facts, but not the penalty. We made an honest mistake. We carefully reviewed our travel processes, and have made changes in our policy and procedures including an internal audit review.

The University follows the rules. We did our due diligence in this case and we have corrected our business travel procedures.

Let me say a few things about this team and our programs:

• Despite the ruling, we are very proud of our men’s basketball team’s accomplishments, both in the classroom and on the court. They won more games in a single season than any team in NCAA history.
  
• Three of those players, Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and Chance Mc Grady went on to have a record-breaking college career of their own, winning more games in four seasons than any other players in NCAA history. And those three student athletes along with Shawn Taggert graduated last May.
  
• All of our athletic teams have graduated at unprecedented levels over the last 8 years and continue to make gains in their overall GPA.
  
• These teams mean so much to the University and to our fans and to our city. I want them all to know how proud we are of each of them. And, I also want to thank our fans who have been so supportive of the university and I know that you will continue to support our athletic programs.

I want to make clear that this ruling has no impact on our upcoming basketball season, or future seasons…we will be on television and we will play in post season tournaments...and we expect our team will be exciting and successful.

With regards to golf, we reported improper conduct and self-imposed penalties that were accepted by the committee. We have a new, highly regarded coach and our program has a great future.

Finally, we are committed to abiding by the NCAA rules. Several of us have leadership positions on NCAA boards and councils. We know the rules. We did our due diligence. We did everything we could to determine the student athlete was eligible and that the rules were being followed. That is the basis for our appeal.

Thank you.