The following is the press release issued at a press conference onWednesday, January 5, 2000 and prepared statements pertaining to the NCAAdecision read by Tennessee State University President, Dr. James Hefnerand Athletic Director Dr. James Smith.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 5, 2000) -Tennessee State University has accepted the penalties imposed by the NCAA, Division I Committee on Infractions to address violations committed by the University.
The penalties place the University on probation for three years beginning January 5, 2000, reduce grants-in-aid for various sports programs at the University, and decrease the number of official paid visits for football for the next two academic years to 36. TSU had previously decreased the number of official paid visits to 38.
"We are pleased that the NCAA was largely satisfied with the corrective action TSU already has taken to strengthen the infrastructure that supports our student-athletes," said TSU president, James A. Hefner.
The decision completes a two-year process of investigation and self-reporting launched by NCAA inquiries. In June 1999, University officials submitted a comprehensive response to the NCAA, indicating violations it had discovered and steps taken to correct them. Today's report accepted those actions and imposed additional restrictions by the Committee on Infractions. The report cites violations of regulations governing financial aid, recruiting, extra benefits, institutional control, and ethical conduct.
To strengthen institutional control, the University has placed the athletics department directly under the auspices of the president's office. Additionally, the University will continue to develop and implement a comprehensive education program on NCAA legislation and submit periodic reports to the NCAA. The reduced grants-in-aid affect the University's men's golf program through the 2000-01 academic year, men's tennis through 2001-02, and football through 2002-03. The TSU football program, which captured the Ohio Valley Conference championship and was ranked nationally in each of the past two seasons, did not incur any additional penalties from the NCAA beyond those self-imposed by the University.
"The penalties taken by the University were extensive," said Jack Friedenthal, professor of law, George Washington University, and chair of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions, at an NCAA telephone news conference held earlier today. "[TSU] did a thorough job ... [and] took a number of substantial corrective actions."
Statement for the news media
By Dr. James A. Hefner, president, Tennessee State University
Wednesday, January 5, 2000
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Tennessee State University family, I welcome you here today.
As you know, the National Collegiate Athletic Association held a news conference this morning, detailing its findings concerning the self-reported NCAA violations and other violations within Tennessee State's athletics program. After the University thoroughly investigated its athletic program, we discovered several NCAA infractions and this past summer reported them to the NCAA. Along with that report, we recommended at least 15 corrective actions and sanctions to ensure compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations.
I am pleased that the NCAA's Committee on Infractions found our investigationfactually sound and was largely satisfied with the corrective actions and sanctions TSUrecommended. Tennessee State University has worked diligently over the last two years to examine those areas of the athletics program that had shortcomings during the period of 1993 to 1999. In addition to what we did, the NCAA has imposed eight other sanctions, which we intend to fully uphold.
Let me say a word about the NCAA's finding regarding TSU's lack of institutional control in athletics. Obviously, if we had not fully and honestly reported problems in our athletics program, many of them would not have surfaced, and it is likely that, when revealed, the NCAA's sanctions would have been more severe. The fact that we so thoroughly reviewed our program and took extensive measures to enhance its areas of weakness demonstrates that we, indeed, have established a strong, effective system for monitoring and maintaining strict accountability of our athletics program. Nevertheless, we accept the NCAA's findings regarding TSU's lack of institutional control in athletics, mainly because most of the incidents we reported were incorporated into their report. Specifically, the NCAA focused on these areas of concern: failure to monitor distribution of complimentary tickets; failure to complete squad list forms, which led to excess financial aid awards to student-athletes; and failure to investigate possible violations of NCAA rules.
Here is how TSU has addressed those specific areas of concern: First, effective July 1, 1999, 1 realigned the athletics program directly under my office to enhance institutional control. Secondly, Dr. James Smith, TSU's director of athletics, has initiated a new policy for the issuing of complimentary tickets, a policy that I have approved. Thirdly, upon receiving a letter from the NCAA notifying us of failure to investigate possible violations of NCAA rules, we investigated areas of concern and responded in writing to the NCAA. The NCAA concurred with our recommendations on these matters. Finally, with regard to the difficulties in financial aid overages, I have directed personnel to institute policies that will ensure total compliance with the stipulations of the NCAA's findings. For the current academic year, I am pleased to report that TSU has had absolutely no overages in its financial aid awards to athletes. Dr. Smith also has implemented an effective monitoring process to ensure that student-athletes are well informed of any renewals or non-renewals of their financial aid.
Let me reiterate the fact that TSU's self-reporting of numerous violations and TSU's self-imposed corrective actions and sanctions strengthens the idea that we have an effective system of institutional control in place. The NCAA has accepted the extensive administrative actions we have taken to bring TSU into full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations, and, for the most part, the NCAA has seen fit not to impose additional sanctions on the University.
At TSU, we regard the authority of the NCAA very highly. We have accepted responsibility for areas where we should have been more vigilantly attentive and have amended our organization to rectify our missteps and prevent any future actions that will not completely follow NCAA guidelines. We recommended 17 sanctions for ourselves, all of which the NCAA accepted. The NCAA also adopted all of our factual findings. We also will remain committed to upholding the eight additional penalties imposed on us by the NCAA. They include reducing grants in aid for football, men's golf, and men's tennis, implementing a comprehensive program to educate personnel on NCAA legislation, reporting regularly our progress toward even more effective administration of our intercollegiate athletics program, and being placed on probation for three years. The University accepts and already has begun to take corrective action in response to the additional penalties.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe TSU is poised for its second century of legendary athletics. We are proud of our past, and we will continue to demand that the outstanding tradition of TSU athletics be respected and upheld. Toward that end, I value the opportunity to uphold the regulations and guidelines of the NCAA and the Ohio Valley Conference, which legislate our athletics program. I am confident in our current leadership in athletics and now invite Dr. James Smith, director of athletics, to make comments.
Thank you.
Statement for the news media
By Dr. James Smith, director of athletics, Tennessee State University
Wednesday, January 5, 2000
The NCAA investigation that we're here to discuss today began more than two years ago. Even before I applied for the position of director of athletics, I was aware of the investigation and its possible impact on athletics at TSU. But, being a native Nashvillian, I also was aware of the great tradition and opportunities that existed at this institution. My confidence in TSU and the integrity of its athletics program inspired me to pursue and accept my current position.
As you have heard, some incidents that occurred in the past went beyond what the NCAA finds acceptable. Both corrective and punitive actions were taken by TSU to address those situations, and our efforts to ensure that no further violations occur are ongoing. It was noted that there might be a lack of institutional control regarding the athletics program. Yes, there were systematic weaknesses within our structure. However, we reported them and we are correcting them. The NCAA has imposed a number of other penalties, and we will comply with them to the fullest. Tennessee State University's athletics program is committed to being a responsible and rule-abiding member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Our overall athletics program covers 14 varsity, intercollegiate sports for young men and women, and I am proud to be associated with each of them.
This is a new month in a new year; the beginning of a new century and a new millennium. For TSU and its athletics department, the conclusion of the NCAA investigation brings a new day, as well. The penalties which have been imposed will bring new challenges, and new opportunities to prosper in spite of challenge. But throughout its history, TSU has prospered through challenge.
We are building a model athletics program which will greatly benefit our student-athletes and the University as a whole. We are reaching into the community to provide positive role models for young people and exciting sporting events for adults and families. I know we will move forward from this day with a renewed spirit and commitment to making Tennessee State University and its athletics program one which the entire community will be proud of.
Thank you.
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