University of Kentucky president Lee Todd says he knew about an NCAA investigation into the Memphis basketball program led at the time by new Kentucky coach John Calipari.
Todd confirmed in a statement Thursday that the school had prior knowledge of the investigation. Todd has been attending SEC meetings in Destin, Fla. He said he remains confident Calipari is not a subject of the probe and added that this was issue between Memphis and the NCAA.
“We are confident that Coach Calipari was not involved in any way,” Todd said. “He was very open with us about what he was aware of at that particular time, and since this is an issue between the University of Memphis and the NCAA and not a UK issue, we will not be commenting further on anything related to this situation.”
Calipari left Memphis on March 31 to take over at Kentucky. He was told by the NCAA in a letter that he was not at risk of being charged with any violations in the case, according to a statement by Kentucky.
Calipari said in the statement that he would fully cooperate with the NCAA’s hearing and had no further comment. Kentucky also said Calipari was forthcoming during his hiring about “any issues under investigation at the University of Memphis at that time.”
Kentucky spokesman DeWayne Peevy said Thursday that Calipari had left the SEC meetings and had headed to Memphis.
Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson defended the program Thursday, saying the school checks out all potential players.
He would not confirm that Derrick Rose, who led Memphis to the 2008 national title game, is at the center of an NCAA investigation of major violations during that season.
Memphis faces the loss of its 38 wins that season.
In a letter to the school the NCAA says an unknown person took the SAT for a player, with his knowledge, and then the player used that test to get into Memphis. The NCAA said the athlete in question played for the Tigers in the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The only person who played just that season was Rose.
“We wouldn’t play anybody if we hadn’t checked it out pretty thoroughly,” Johnson said.
Johnson would not identify the player involved for privacy reasons. But he said the player is cooperating with Memphis’ investigation into the allegations.
“Nobody has thrown up any road blocks,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to get it resolved and do it the right way.”
The NCAA has asked Memphis to provide copies of the SAT and a Sept. 2, 2008, report by a forensic document examiner who studied the handwriting in the SAT.
Rose’s attorney, Daneil E. Reidy, said in a statement Thursday that the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA draft by Chicago and this season’s rookie of the year was aware of the allegations.
“Mr. Rose cooperated fully with the University of Memphis’ athletic and legal departments’ investigation of this issue when he was a student and that investigation uncovered no wrong-doing on his part,” Reidy said. “At this time, Mr. Rose sees no reason to engage in further discussion regarding this matter and will instead focus on his career as a professional basketball player.
“Neither Mr. Rose nor I will have further comment.”
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that someone with access to Rose’s academic records at Simeon High School changed a D to a C on his transcript. The newspaper reported that Rose was one of four athletes at the school whose grades were boosted for a one-month period after their June 2007 graduation and then changed back after the bogus transcripts were sent to colleges.
Memphis was notified Jan. 16 of the potentially major violations in the men’s basketball program and will appear June 6 in Indianapolis before the NCAA committee on infractions for a hearing. Johnson declined to provide any details on what Memphis has found in its investigation prior to the hearing.
“We’ve been working on this for some time and continue to get our final presentation finalized and make sure we dotted all the Is and crossed all the Ts,” Johnson said.
New Memphis coach Josh Pastner said he wasn’t aware of the allegations when offered the job in April to replace Calipari.
“It’s nothing that will affect the current team, which I believe,” said Pastner, who first joined Tigers staff as an assistant in June 2008. “I can’t comment anymore than that.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 33
Laydbakvol writes:
Dare I say it?
tnvolintheboro writes:
It will be interesting to see how this turns out for both Kentucky and Memphis. Good luck - I think you might need it.
Colliervol writes:
And they hired him anyway. Amazing. Just adds to the argument that UK was desperate to get back to primetime and would do anything to get there.
If you crawl into bed with a snake, you will get bit. Memphis is trying to get the poison out of the wound as we speak.
PaulTheVol writes:
It doesn't matter, a leopard doesn't change his spots. He'll win big at Kentucky and then leave a scorched earth when he departs. It's the price you pay for him to win. Memphis people didn't want to believe that and I'm sure Kentucky people believe things will be different this time because, after all, they are Kentucky. Reality will be harsh.
Hudro writes:
I agree---weren't there problems at UMASS after he left there? Ky justs wants to win and get back to the dance--how they get there is not important.
Colliervol writes:
My only thought is why are you still here? You've been exposed long ago and nobody puts any stock in anything you've got to say. (Non UT fan and therefore rendered irrelevant.) 99% of UT fans are happy with the progress that Pearl has brought to the program and the other 1% are wasting their time arguing about it. Barring an NCAA violation or a precipitous drop-off in wins, Pearl is here as long as he likes. My last word on the subject because you've been served kid. Enjoy.
behuman13 writes:
He just wants attention... Likes to argue. And I'm part of the 99% happy with Pearl. At least now I feel like we have a legitimate chance of winning any game we play in. Once we get some talent like UNC or Duke has, it'll shut the doubters up. Go Vols!
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
Say it ain't so UK. Tubby is ROTFLHAO.
Laydbakvol writes:
But the question is. Why do you even care? You don't have a dog in this race.
lilvolcoach writes:
That's probably why he left. He knew something was going to happen, so he bolted. Then on top of that UK knew it and still hires him, pathetic! Remember the phrase, those who don't learn from the past, are deemed to repeat it.
bkgunter writes:
TarHole:
You must articulate a cogent thought if you expect one in return, so GFY.
brokebackvol writes:
Like Bruce a heap, but I will be surprised if he's at UT 5 years from now.
TXTN writes:
Read: Kentucky desperate to return to former glory, willingly hires glorified con artist.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
kentucky and associations (no matter how removed) with unknown persons taking the SAT for players. -that never happens.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Realizing now that someone took the SAT for Rose, makes one wonder how many times did this take place for other players before tiger high got caught. I wonder if NCAA will now double-check same for the "ballers" that Cal is bring to ky? Cal saying he knew nothing about the SAT thing is a joke, but proving it will may be pratically impossible unless Rose fesses up and that ain't likely. Slime goes in and slime goes out.
CrankE writes:
Uh, this isn't about Pearl.
Let's just fast forward a few years to the time when UK is getting penalized for trouble on Cal's watch.
Let's assume that the infractions Cal committed at Memphis will be the same ones at UK.
I wonder if the NCAA will come down on UK as hard as they will Memphis?
What am I thinking, who cares, sanctions for all the kitties!!
drone#208075 writes:
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
Colliervol writes:
Crank, I doubt seriously that Memphis is going to suffer much damage except to their national perception. Unless other allegations surface (and they might), they'll have to forfeit those 38 games and the Final Four appearance and that's about it. Cal generally makes sure his tracks are covered and he'll skate. And he'll do the same at KY. The question is if they can stomach the odor coming off the program like the Memphis fans did for 9 years. If that's how they want their program to be known, more power to them.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Did anyone see that Memphis media dude's interview with Bruce Pearl a few years ago? When Bruce went off on him for saying Memphis is the best basketball program in the state????
Yeah, well, Calipari is gone and even when he was there cheating, we were still beating them. Now that he's gone and Memphis looks to be getting hit hard with sanctions, I want to hear what that reporter has to say now!!!
IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!!!! Bye bye Memphis High!!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
not a surprise here. Ky. only cares about winning. I lived in Ky. about 20 yrs. ago and even then they were giving thoroughbreds to the players and coaches back then.
Win at all costs. Calipari leaves this trail everywhere. I live in Memphis now and he worked the gray area for the past 9 yrs. here. Can't be trusted. He wants to win at any cost also. He and Ky are meant for each other (like 2 peas in a pod)
smokyredbone writes:
Who's gonna take John Wall's test for him now!
Slystone writes:
The Chicago Sun Times is reporting this problem stems from Simeon HS where fraud and grade changes occurred. Not sure this can be a situation Memphis knew about or any other school recruiting players from that H.S.
stevefrommemphis writes:
This is a good time to remind readers about the history of Kentucky basketball (things they don't teach kids in Kentucky):
(1) Kentucky basketball program was first to ever receive NCAA death penalty. A defiant Rupp said: "They have found a way to beat Kentucky. They have cancelled our season."
(2) Players charged with point-shaving scandal in another incident, in late 1950s, I think.
(3) Program in such trouble during Eddie Sutton era that Sports Illustrated put out an issue with cover page reading simply: "Kentucky's Shame" (To my knowledge, Sutton was never in trouble with the NCAA before or after coaching at Kentucky.) UNLV's Jerry Tarkanian said: "The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky right now that they put Cleveland State on probation another three years."
These just come to mind right off. There may be others, though I will say that I have no reason to think anything other than that Tubby's and Pitino's and Gillespie's programs were clean. UK has been clean since the Sutton days. Will they stay that way?
volunteers4life writes:
I was led like a kitten to the slaughter by that slimeball coach, Calipari. I'm a Memphis grad, Vol AND Tiger fan for life. (I know that I confuse a lot of people on both sides of this issue by making such a wild statement.) I bought in to his smooth talking con-artistry BS with his shady William Wesley connection. Should have listened more to you guys about the future under Calipari. Shady jerk b*st*rd. Completely raped Memphis as he goes on to KY with his number 1 recruiting class and possibly Patterson and Meeks back, not a care in the world for him. Wins seem to make one willingly blind to suspicious circumstances even when they abound. I remember several posters here calling him out for what he really was, way before he hit the road.
Leaving all in a high speed come apart with the NCAA investigators nipping at his heels, of course. He can't make clutch decisions or coach under pressure but mysteriously, he can get any freaking recruit in America to commit to HIM. Please note the distinction between committing to a coach and not to the University. KY isn't the program anymore, Calipari is the program now. Good luck, KY!!! The NCAA will have Cal under a microscope all the way through the eventuality of Kentucky's own charges coming up as a result of his tutelage. The guy will sweet talk the entire city and back it up with winning. I guess its to heck with the consequences when a NC might be possible. I hope he NEVER gets his trophy and I hope he gets banned before he ever has a chance to get back to the National Championship game again.
Memphis should get all his salary back if those wins are taken away. Oh well, Vol fans. At least now I hope to watch UT beat the ever-loving phooey out of that idiot every year! If Smith comes back, Pearl should have a great team ready for next season, and may the Good Lord grant him the strength to CRUSH Kentucky without mercy.
Doesn't look like I'll have much to celebrate in Memphis for a bit, although I really like the new coach, Pastner. I think he has top-tier coaching potential in the future but, I fear it may take a while for him to get himself up on his feet and then to get the program back up to a level to be in national contention again.
Last season was a disappointment all the way around. I really feel like the Vols fell short of their full potential last season. Looking at the talent level on this team, I believed and still do believe that it was one of the highest in the entire country. Feel the same for next season as well. However, it looks like next season in the SEC, being one of the best in the country doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be the best in your own conference. I'm so excited about next season, GO VOLS!!!!
ETNTigerFan writes:
A couple of months ago he hadn't decided to go to UK, take a #1 rated recruiting class with him (after he said he wouldn't), attempted to take current UM players still on the roster to UK, and no one had disclosed this scandal he is in the middle of. Why wouldn't we do a 180?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How long a flight was it for the buzzards to go from Memphis to Lexington?
Hope they found a nice tree to wait in.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I think you are exactly right. KY is trying to cover its sorry a-- for a real blunder.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
What, exactly, was interesting about it?
old_number1 writes:
I wonder if Dupree could get a username and post on this site. I think he has a different perspective on life! LOL
murrayvol writes:
"It's nothing that would affect the current team, which I believe" said Pastner.
The hell it won't!
murrayvol writes:
I predict that Cal's tenure at UK will be somewhat shorter than his tour at Memphis.
Screwing up one NCAA program is bad. When you nail the second one, the gumshoes at NCAA HQ start paying attention.
John Wall will get the once over.....4 times.
murrayvol writes:
No surprise here.
Colliervol writes:
Adults do not use the term "Dude". Only stoned surfers. And maybe 10 year olds. Come back when you can speak intelligently.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.