The University Record, October 15, 1997
A seven-month independent investigation of the men’s basketball program has determined that there have been no major violations of NCAA rules or regulations.
The report, which has been forwarded to the NCAA, was commissioned by President Lee C. Bollinger last spring following anonymous allegations in the media about improprieties in the program related to booster Ed Martin.
In their report, investigators with Bond, Schoeneck & King of Overland Park, Kan., stressed the difficulty of conducting an investigation that involved anonymous newspaper sources and Martin’s lack of cooperation. Some former student-athletes who were alleged to have benefited from Martin also declined to assist in the investigation.
Investigators said they made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to meet with Martin, whose attorney told them “there are no circumstances” under which Martin would cooperate with the investigation.
They also were unable to determine the identity of the anonymous sources cited in newspaper accounts.
“This is a most unique case in that virtually all of the allegations that spawned and fueled the investigation were made by sources the media, which brought the allegations to light, did not name. In fact, there have been no published allegations by a n identified individual who claimed to have firsthand knowledge that Ed Martin either assisted in the recruitment of prospects to Michigan or provided impermissible benefits to Michigan student-athletes,” the report stated.
The firm stated in the report that “without the opportunity to identify and question the individuals who claim to have direct knowledge and information about Martin’s provision of benefits to prospective and enrolled student-athletes, it is not possibl e to conduct a complete investigation.”
In March, the University submitted results of an internal investigation to the NCAA in which it determined Martin was a representative of Athletic Department interests for several reasons. That led the University to self-report two secondary violation s of NCAA bylaws.
The University totally disassociated Martin from the athletic program following the internal investigation.
In their report, the private investigators said it was debatable whether the University actually committed any violations, as reported to the NCAA. They determined there was “insufficient evidence” to show that Martin was technically a representative of U-M athletics, according to NCAA bylaws.
“If it is determined that Martin is not a representative of Michigan’s athletic interests, his alleged provision of benefits to prospective and enrolled student-athletes would not be a violation of NCAA recruiting or extra-benefit legislation,” the rep ort stated.
Compiled from information from the Office of University Relations
