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Memphis forced to Vacate 38-win season
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:26 pm
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:26 pm
The Memphis men's basketball program has been charged by the NCAA with major violations during the 2007-08 season under former coach John Calipari.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the story on Wednesday after obtaining a letter detailing the allegations through the Freedom of Information Act.
The allegations include "knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player on the 2007-08 team.
The wording of the letter to Memphis indicates that the player in question competed only during the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The player's name was redacted in the letter due to privacy laws.
Sources told ESPN.com Wednesday night that Derrick Rose was the player in question. He played only one season for Memphis before being selected as the first pick in the 2008 draft by the Chicago Bulls.
The letter also alleged that Memphis provided $2,260 in free travel to road games for an associate of a player. The NCAA is charging Memphis with a failure to monitor.
If the NCAA allegations are proved true, Memphis might have to forfeit its NCAA-record 38 victories and Final Four appearance.
Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson on Thursday defended the men's basketball program. "We wouldn't play anybody if we hadn't checked it out pretty thoroughly," Johnson told The Associated Press.
Luther Topps, who coached Rose's AAU team, told the Chicago Sun-Times he's known about the NCAA's investigation for several weeks and said he thinks the NCAA believes a former high school teammate of Rose's took the SAT for Rose.
Memphis received the notice of allegations on Jan. 16 and is scheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June 6. The probe was initiated over charges of improprieties in the women's golf program at Memphis. Former women's golf coach Jenny Bruun is alleged to have provided $3,115.70 in extra benefits for players.
A source within the Memphis program told ESPN.com "the current [basketball] team will 100 percent not be penalized." The source does not expect a reduction in scholarships, should the school be found to have violated NCAA rules.
New Memphis coach Josh Pastner told The Associated Press on Thursday that 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 the staff as an assistant in June 2008. "I can't comment anymore than that."
Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky on March 31. The NCAA has requested his presence at the hearing, although he is not named in the report.
"Even though I'm not at risk, I will fully cooperate with the NCAA hearing," Calipari said in a statement. "... [I] will have no further comment."
Calipari is expected to talk to the NCAA before Tuesday when he leaves for China, Kentucky associate athletic director for media relations DeWayne Peevy said. A year ago, Calipari and a collection of Conference USA all-stars traveled to China to exchange basketball ideas. Calipari would likely speak to the Committee on Infractions in a teleconference because he wouldn't be able to attend the June hearing.
Johnson told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that Memphis has been investigating the test score and women's golf infractions for months.
"We still have to determine if the test score was fraudulent," Johnson said.
After that is determined, Memphis will investigate whether anyone at the school knew about a fraudulent test.
Johnson said the student-athlete who is alleged to have been involved is cooperating. Johnson said if something were to be discovered in terms of violations, "nothing would happen to [current Memphis coach] Josh Pastner."
Peevy told ESPN.com on Wednesday that Calipari was up-front with Kentucky prior to his hiring. He said Kentucky was made aware of the allegation.
"It's important to note that there are no allegations against John Calipari in the report," Peevy said.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Kentucky said: "It is normal procedure for the NCAA to ask a former coach to participate in a hearing. Therefore, Coach Calipari will participate as requested.
"Coach John Calipari has received a letter from the NCAA stating that he is not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations in this case.
"This is a University of Memphis issue and the University of Kentucky will not comment any further."
Lee Todd, the school's president, confirmed again in a statement released Thursday that Kentucky knew of the NCAA investigation of Memphis.
"The University of Kentucky was made aware of the NCAA inquiry at the University of Memphis during the interview process and we are confident that Coach Calipari was not involved in any way. 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."
Kentucky assured its boosters when it hired Calipari it had done its due diligence in checking his background.
"Sandy Bell and the compliance folks talked with the NCAA and checked records and facts," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said April 1 when Calipari was introduced at Kentucky. "David Price, other people at the high level with the NCAA, assured us how much they enjoyed working with John in that process.
"We have all had our critics about how we manage and lead our programs. For seven years I've had my share and I've been through it. Our commitment at the University of Kentucky to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change. John's commitment to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change."
Interestingly, Price, the NCAA's vice president of enforcement, issued the NCAA letter sent to Memphis that detailed the infractions.
Calipari has been involved in NCAA violations in the past. After his 1995-96 Final Four season at Massachusetts, it was discovered center Marcus Camby had accepted money and gifts from two sports agents. The NCAA forced UMass to forfeit all 35 victories from that season and vacate its Final Four appearance and banner
The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the story on Wednesday after obtaining a letter detailing the allegations through the Freedom of Information Act.
The allegations include "knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player on the 2007-08 team.
The wording of the letter to Memphis indicates that the player in question competed only during the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The player's name was redacted in the letter due to privacy laws.
Sources told ESPN.com Wednesday night that Derrick Rose was the player in question. He played only one season for Memphis before being selected as the first pick in the 2008 draft by the Chicago Bulls.
The letter also alleged that Memphis provided $2,260 in free travel to road games for an associate of a player. The NCAA is charging Memphis with a failure to monitor.
If the NCAA allegations are proved true, Memphis might have to forfeit its NCAA-record 38 victories and Final Four appearance.
Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson on Thursday defended the men's basketball program. "We wouldn't play anybody if we hadn't checked it out pretty thoroughly," Johnson told The Associated Press.
Luther Topps, who coached Rose's AAU team, told the Chicago Sun-Times he's known about the NCAA's investigation for several weeks and said he thinks the NCAA believes a former high school teammate of Rose's took the SAT for Rose.
Memphis received the notice of allegations on Jan. 16 and is scheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June 6. The probe was initiated over charges of improprieties in the women's golf program at Memphis. Former women's golf coach Jenny Bruun is alleged to have provided $3,115.70 in extra benefits for players.
A source within the Memphis program told ESPN.com "the current [basketball] team will 100 percent not be penalized." The source does not expect a reduction in scholarships, should the school be found to have violated NCAA rules.
New Memphis coach Josh Pastner told The Associated Press on Thursday that 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 the staff as an assistant in June 2008. "I can't comment anymore than that."
Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky on March 31. The NCAA has requested his presence at the hearing, although he is not named in the report.
"Even though I'm not at risk, I will fully cooperate with the NCAA hearing," Calipari said in a statement. "... [I] will have no further comment."
Calipari is expected to talk to the NCAA before Tuesday when he leaves for China, Kentucky associate athletic director for media relations DeWayne Peevy said. A year ago, Calipari and a collection of Conference USA all-stars traveled to China to exchange basketball ideas. Calipari would likely speak to the Committee on Infractions in a teleconference because he wouldn't be able to attend the June hearing.
Johnson told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that Memphis has been investigating the test score and women's golf infractions for months.
"We still have to determine if the test score was fraudulent," Johnson said.
After that is determined, Memphis will investigate whether anyone at the school knew about a fraudulent test.
Johnson said the student-athlete who is alleged to have been involved is cooperating. Johnson said if something were to be discovered in terms of violations, "nothing would happen to [current Memphis coach] Josh Pastner."
Peevy told ESPN.com on Wednesday that Calipari was up-front with Kentucky prior to his hiring. He said Kentucky was made aware of the allegation.
"It's important to note that there are no allegations against John Calipari in the report," Peevy said.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Kentucky said: "It is normal procedure for the NCAA to ask a former coach to participate in a hearing. Therefore, Coach Calipari will participate as requested.
"Coach John Calipari has received a letter from the NCAA stating that he is not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations in this case.
"This is a University of Memphis issue and the University of Kentucky will not comment any further."
Lee Todd, the school's president, confirmed again in a statement released Thursday that Kentucky knew of the NCAA investigation of Memphis.
"The University of Kentucky was made aware of the NCAA inquiry at the University of Memphis during the interview process and we are confident that Coach Calipari was not involved in any way. 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."
Kentucky assured its boosters when it hired Calipari it had done its due diligence in checking his background.
"Sandy Bell and the compliance folks talked with the NCAA and checked records and facts," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said April 1 when Calipari was introduced at Kentucky. "David Price, other people at the high level with the NCAA, assured us how much they enjoyed working with John in that process.
"We have all had our critics about how we manage and lead our programs. For seven years I've had my share and I've been through it. Our commitment at the University of Kentucky to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change. John's commitment to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change."
Interestingly, Price, the NCAA's vice president of enforcement, issued the NCAA letter sent to Memphis that detailed the infractions.
Calipari has been involved in NCAA violations in the past. After his 1995-96 Final Four season at Massachusetts, it was discovered center Marcus Camby had accepted money and gifts from two sports agents. The NCAA forced UMass to forfeit all 35 victories from that season and vacate its Final Four appearance and banner
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:28 pm to justinnevils
So should we replay the CUSA tourney? And does this count as a #16 beating a #1?
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:29 pm to Sophandros
quote:yes, why not?
And does this count as a #16 beating a #1?
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:30 pm to TechDawg2007
Well, then everyone should get their brackets out and recalculate who won them... 

Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:30 pm to Sophandros
lol, Im a big fan of Memphis. I dont think what Calipari did was a huge deal. People dont relize that bribery between College coaches and players is VERY common, just depends on if you get caught or not.


Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:30 pm to Sophandros
quote:
does this count as a #16 beating a #1?
no
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:31 pm to justinnevils
quote:
Memphis forced to Vacate 38-win season
quote:
If the NCAA allegations are proved true, Memphis might have to forfeit its NCAA-record 38 victories and Final Four appearance.

Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:33 pm to Sophandros
quote:
And does this count as a #16 beating a #1?
The NCAA removes the win, but doesn't give the other team the win. Essentially the game, "wasn't played". So, no.
ETA: Saw you were kidding. One never knows on a message board.

This post was edited on 8/20/09 at 12:35 pm
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:33 pm to Shankopotomus
Dude, it's a joke.
Now go re-tally your bracket from two years ago!
Now go re-tally your bracket from two years ago!
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:35 pm to Buckeye Fan 19
quote:
Buckeye Fan 19
Where you been? Hows the bum wheel?
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:35 pm to Buckeye Fan 19
quote:
The NCAA removes the win, but doesn't give the other team the win. Essentially the game, "wasn't played". So, no.
damn .. I was holding out hope that Tulane had finally beat Memphis

Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:40 pm to SprintFun
I've just been very busy. Still haven't been cleared, not looking good. Go again tomorrow.
Anyway, threeputt, yeah, that'd be something. Would be funny looking up in the archives Tulane over Memphis.
Anyway, threeputt, yeah, that'd be something. Would be funny looking up in the archives Tulane over Memphis.

This post was edited on 8/20/09 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:43 pm to justinnevils
IMO the vacated wins punishment is totally worthless
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:44 pm to justinnevils
Thanks for posting an article that is months old

quote:
is scheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June 6.
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:47 pm to foreverLSU
quote:
IMO the vacated wins punishment is totally worthless
It is and it's stupid. Nobody's going to be like "Memphis didn't make the FF that year". It's not like all of a sudden, the joy I felt when OSU made it in 99 never happened when they took it away for O'Brien's actions. Take away a scholarship or something.
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:50 pm to Buckeye Fan 19
quote:
Would be funny looking up in the archives Tulane over Memphis.
There is nothing funny about our series record with Memphis. Think Cooper vs. Michigan...
Posted on 8/20/09 at 12:52 pm to Sophandros
quote:
Think Cooper vs. Michigan...
:suffers sudden bodily convulsions:
Posted on 8/20/09 at 1:00 pm to justinnevils
Have fun with this guy Kentucky. 

Posted on 8/20/09 at 1:01 pm to tylercsbn9
I'll enjoy the ride while it lasts.
This year's team should be unbelievable come March though.

This year's team should be unbelievable come March though.
This post was edited on 8/20/09 at 1:02 pm
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