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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1988)
Monday, September 12, 1988/The Battalion/Page 3 =4 NCAA Report ac|- - v.. Mobley responds to probationary ruling ded alio-, note: The following is 11 the text of Texas A&M President IU(, t'all William Mobley’s speech made Fri day at a press conference following thi release of the NCAA Committee on Infractions report.) or metiiB'he football program at Texas I . | A«M University has been under “ e ®Hutiny for a number of years, by ^UirdaiShl media, by the NCAA and by in dependent investigators retained by the University. A variety of allega tions were heard by the NCAA Com- ivilcp, mltee on Infractions at a hearing in : ' Syracuse on August 13, 1988. r^ynoll^m'hi.s morning, the NCAA re- '(1 pt'ojj leased its findings and sanctions. ^■n reviewing the results of the in- , vejtigations and the NCAA findings, the all it if encouraging to note that a num ber of allegations were found not to bejviolations and were withdrawn. 'ly to d« iK' 11 tidings focused primarily ;ls on issues of recruitment and institu- tiofnal controls. ■We continue to have questions about the facts, interpretations an- d/tpr conclusions in several of the findings. We will seek clarification of these over the coming days. ■Nevertheless, in the aggregate, there are a number of findings that appear to be valid. ^B\s 1 have said on numerous occa sions over the past six weeks, I con- eotmp^Bcr even one finding of a violation 1 sS "'hile to he a serious matter. We have mul- >ound . tiple findings of violations. 1. 3/^Hj his is indeed a serious matter. HSince Mr. Sherrill took over as Texas A&M's athletic director in ' n J 1 ' 1 ; 19^2, he and the University adminis- i‘!t tile ■ 'fflRtion have taken significant steps hat a I to increase appropriate internal he TCI chi cks and balances, ensure the aca- h IinfitM ni ' c integrity of our athletic pro- 1 enhance the fiscal integrity of • . .^^Hr athletic program and enhance the positive interactions among out " , " 1 ' student athletes and the student iMon it ■dy at large. He implemented a ilarshi;- strong drug testing program and ■ik steps to discourage alumni and friends of the University from inap propriate involvement in recruit- liis " ment of student athletes, lined ocMAs pleased as we are with these ac- • Cotton: complishments, the results of the in- ;tt the ■ vestigation indicate that there is M .w.i more than we can, must and will do. A series of actions is being imple Battalion file photo William Mobley mented with the full support and as sistance of Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jackie Sherrill, to ensure total compliance and to minimize any perceptions of non- compliance. Among the specific steps that have been taken are: 1. Assigned to the University’s vice president for finance and ad ministration (Robert Smith) primary responsibility for operational and compliance auditing of the athletic program. 2. Created the position of intercol legiate athletic compliance director to report to the vice president for fi nance and administration. The search to fill this position has been initiated. 3. Directed that external re sources be retained to provide an an nual review and recommendations on strengthening our comprehen sive intercollegiate athletic compli ance program. The first such exter nal review will take place this fall. 4. Communicated with the athletic director expressing my grave con cern regarding the need to strengthen compliance and compli ance monitoring and directed a number of initiatives designed to en hance our compliance and compli ance monitoring. 5. Wrote an open letter to former students and friends of the Univer sity to discourage any possible inap propriate involvement in the athletic program. A program of periodic communications from the president to external constituencies regarding compliance is being implemented. 6. Communicated directly with several former students regarding These actions are in tended to strengthen our compliance and compli ance monitoring and to meet the NCAA require ments and our institu tion’s own high standards. —Texas A&M President, William Mobley their involvement in violation of NCAA rules and regulations and in formed them of our intent to disso ciate them from the Texas A&M University athletic program. 7. Communicated with University administrators that we intend to fully comply with the letter and spirit of NCAA regulations and that allegations of violations will be fully investigated and reported to the NCAA. 8. Communicated directly with members of the athletic department staff that failure to comply with NCAA and SWC rules and regula tions will lead to appropriate disci plinary action. 9. The president will meet regu larly with the faculty athletic rep resentative and the Athletic Council. The vice president for finance and administration will become an ex-of ficio member of the Athletic Coun cil, effective immediately. 10. Communicated with all stu dent athletes that full compliance with NCAA regulations is expected and that all violations will lead to ap propriate disciplinary action. 11. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against athletic de partment staff found in violation an d/or accountable for compliance. Appropriate reports will be made to the NCAA as prescribed in the NCAA report. These actions are intended to strengthen our compliance and com pliance monitoring and to meet the NCAA requirements and our institu tion’s own high standards. I am com mitted to full compliance as is the university community at large. We will not accept arguments such as “others are violating the rules” or that “we don’t like the rules.” Where we differ with the rules, we will seek constructive change through appro priate channels. We will, however, abide by the rules as they exist at any point in time. The penalties levied by the NCAA Committee on Infractions are harsh, in particular the loss of possible post season competition. In all honesty, I had hoped that the fact that the Uni versity retained independent investi gators to carry out the investigations, the corrective actions we initiated prior to the hearing and testimony at the hearing would demonstrate our commitment to full compliance, and thus warrant less severe sanctions. The Infractions Committee ob- By Hal L. Hammons Sports Editor Texas A&M football players said Friday the NCAA sanctions would not damage their loyalty to the Uni versity or dampen their determin ation to play hard the rest of the sea son — despite being ineligible for a bowl game. Linebacker Dana Batiste said he’s not embarrassed about the ruling. “I’m proud to be here,” Batiste said. “I have three rings to show for it. I love this place. “They can take our bowl game away, but they can’t stop us from winning. We play to win.” Quarterback Bucky Richardson said he didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation. “I didn’t know how serious it was,” he said. “Now that it’s out, I feel for the coaches. This has been hanging over their heads for a long time.” Linebacker Basil Jackson said, “The way I was brought up, if a per son does something wrong then he viously saw the need for relatively more stringent penalties. Although we received the report only late yesterday (Thursday), I do not believe we will appeal the penal ties. I believe this investigative process has been, and will be, good for our institution. As a former dean of a college of business administration, I recognize the importance of inde pendent fiscal, control and operatio nal audits of complex organizations. As the chief executive officer of a large, complex academic institution, I view the results of this process as a means to further strengthening our organization, controls, policies, op erating procedures, and staff and public education in what clearly is a major problematic area to the Uni- should be punished, but not for things done by others. “It’s a team game. We play as a team, we lose as a team. It’s just something we have to deal with.” Several players said the penalties would not hurt the team’s attitude during the rest of the season. “It doesn’t hurt at all — it helps,” Batiste said. “It makes us angry. The NCAA has done their job, now it’s time to do ours. “They can’t tell us to lay down and let Texas beat us. They can’t tell us to lay down and let Rice beat us. They can’t stop us from winning on the scoreboard. They can’t stop us from winning on the field.” Richardson shared Batiste’s opti mism. “I think it’s going to make us play better,” Richardson said. The players downplayed their re cruiters’ not telling them about the investigations. “That wasn’t the determining fac tor,” Richardson said. versity, intercollegiate athletics. Texas A&M University is com mitted to excellence in, all its aca demic, research, service, athletic and student development programs. Im peccable integrity is an integral part of the definition of excellence. I look forward to the removal of the cloud that has hung over the athletic pro gram for some time, to taking ap propriate corrective action and to getting on with the University’s pur suit of excellence in all areas, includ ing intercollegiate athletics. Attain ment of this goal will take the understanding and full cooperation of the athletic department, faculty, student body, former students, friends of the University and admin istration. There is no doubt in my mind that this cooperation will be forthcoming. “I wasn’t told, but that wasn’t the important factor.” Running back Darren Lewis said, “I wasn’t caring about the investiga tion. I came to A&M because I wanted to win and play football. The coach that recruited me didn’t tell me about the allegations, but I wasn’t worried about that. When you’re at the top, people want to tear you down.” Correction In Friday’s Battalion, a graphic for MSC Political Forum was in correctly run with a story on Gov. William Clements’ speech. The graphic was intended to run with a story on Political Forum, which also ran in Friday’s paper. Political Forum is a non-parti san organization and die! not sponsor Clements’ speech. A&M football players pledge loyality despite NCAA ruling 1 to rep ivine in 10 exoix Arkansas teams it Capitalizing ate — t* 1 prograi on Engineer Opportunities CAREER FAIR :athi Tuesday, September 13,1988 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Blue-Jean reception.★ Eat Free BAR-B-Q and show some TEXAS A&M friendliness Wednesday, September 14,1988 9:00 am -12:00 noon, 1:30 pm -5:00 pm Student Interactions* 2nd Floor MSC Thursday, Sept. 15,1988 ★Blue-Jean reception will take place at the Hilton on University Drive. ENGINEERING CAREER FAIR... Otherwise known as CEO-Capitalizing on Engineering Opportunities-is an annual event sponsored by the Student Engineers Council and the College of Engineering in conjunction with the Placement Center. WHEN AND WHERE? On Tues. evening from 6:00 to 8:00, there will be a blue-jean reception at the Hilton on University Dr. This is a casual reception so leave your resumes at home, bring your blue-jeans and a hearty appetite for the BAR-B-Q being served. Everyone is invited. WHO CAN GO? Students of all majors and levels are invited and encouraged to attend. In past Career Fairs, company representatives extended a welcome visit with faculty also. Alcoa Amerada Hess Corp. Amoco Chemical Co. Amoco Oil Company Arajet Arco Oil & Gas Arthur Anderson & Co. AT&T Bechtel, Inc. Bell Helicopter Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. Central Intelligence Agency Chevron Corporation Compaq Computer Company Conoco, Inc. Cooper Industries Dow Chemical E.l. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. Electronic Data Systems Exxon Frito Lay General Dynamics Greenhorne & O’Mara, Inc. Hewlett Packard Houston Lighting & Power IBM IMSL International Paper Lockheed Missiles and Space LTV Aircraft LTV Missiles Marathon Petroleum Co. Martin Marietta Astronautics Mason & Hanger-S. Mason & Co. McDonald Douglas Mobil Nasa + Northern Telecom, Inc. RNR Inc. Schlumberger Standard Oil Stonhard Sun Oil Texas Instruments, Inc. The Boeing Co. U.S. Air Force U.S. Navy United Parcel Service UTC-Pratt & Whitney Vista Chemical Company Houston, TX Vista Chemical Company Westlake, La Weyerhaeuser Paper Co. York International Corporation *Students will have the opportunity to meet the Company Representatives and talk to them one on one.