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bejviolations and were withdrawn.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.