Posted on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 12:07 p.m.
Bill Martin: Michigan may hire an outside firm to assist in investigation
By Dave Birkett
University of Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said Monday the university may hire an outside firm to help uncover whether the football program committed violations by requiring players to practice more than the NCAA allows.
"To be determined," Martin said.
Martin, who addressed the football team on Sunday, will have no role in the investigation. Instead, Michigan's compliance department will head the inquiry.
Asked how long the investigation would take, Martin said he had "no idea."
"You don't want to rush it," he said. "You want to be very thorough."
Comments
uminks
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 10:55 p.m.
Bill Martin is our worse AD in history! Why would you launch an investigation into your football program based on a hatchet job article by a bunch of 2nd rate sport reporters at the freep. I think what peeves off RR the most that his own AD doesn't believe that he is following NCAA rules! I'm telling you if RR ends up resigning over this or if some how the University fires RR over this, then Martin best pack his bags and be ready to leave!
friend12
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 1:47 p.m.
Bemused Passerby where did you get the data on the "grade point averages increasing to best levels measured for the team"? Considering one of the recent defectors wasn't academically eligible, I find that statement hard to believe. I also havent seen any stats published by the school recently. I dont know if the accusations are true or not, but, for the most part in the past the Free Press has been pretty much pro RR. Im not sure the abuse several posters are dishing out is justified. I hope for now the team blows this off and destroys Western Saturday. Go Blue
jeremy
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 1:28 p.m.
first of all ez, please dont join the buckeye fan fraternity we dont need you if you jump off the bandwagon. 2ndly, i agree with theo....they're not guilty unless one player on this year's team comes out and says rr told us to go to all the voluntary practices because they weren't voluntary but mandatory. not one player has said that...some hinted it was implied, but in a court of law implications are circumstantial and thus of no real evidence. therefore as a buckeye i exonerate rr and barwis.....hope this blows over soon and rr can build um up faster so that the rivalry continues with new battles
81wolverine
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 1:24 p.m.
The key word here from the NCAA's viewpoint is "required". Did Michigan's coaches "require" them to practice longer hours OR "advise them that they should or could" practice more? Either way, it's a joke because every other successful football program in the country has most of their players practicing/viewing film/weightlifting/etc. A LOT more than the amount stipulated by the NCAA rules. That's simply the price of success these days. Does this make it a challenge to be a student too at U-M or any university? Absolutely. But, statistics show that the ones who can balance academics and athletics successfully and graduate, benefit greatly from it later in life - on average. Still, I think Bill Martin is doing his due diligence, as he should. He's accountable for what happens in the athletic department. I'd like to see the same accountability at the Free Press. If it turns out this writer didn't represent the facts right or made false, misleading statements, he should be held accountable as well.
a2grateful
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 1:20 p.m.
Rodriguez and Barwis deserve a fair chance. However, it does not seem like they have gotten one so far. The media and "fans" have been brutal to both of these men, as well as the football team. One does not see an equivalent mentality of fan and media hatred for USC, even though they have suffered many allegations.... Maybe the most interesting element of this story is that the anonymous allegations are for a 3-9 team... with grade point averages increasing to best levels measured for the team.... It is smart for UM to reach out to the Big Ten, NCAA, and private investigators to get the stories straight.... The real story here is why a failing newspaper in a devastated area seeks to tarnish one of the area's few remaining gems.... It will likely be shown that the unknown mudslinger (a so-called journalist?) will end up muddiest.
Bemused Passerby
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 1:03 p.m.
Hail, hail Theo212. It seems this story got legs only by the fact that it was released over the weekend. I hope the kids and the coaching staff can keep their eyes on the ball this week and not get too down in the dumps over what is for the moment hearsay and distraction. Go Blue!
OSUbeBetter
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.
".....Martin, who addressed the football team on Sunday.........And begged them to STOP TALKING!!!!! Shut up, Shut up, Shut up!!!!!
SonofScoot
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.
Bill Martin is going to hire a firm from West Virginia to look into football allegations. Why not, he will hire anyone from that state.
Theo212
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 : 12:15 p.m.
I've looked things over. Conclusion: Not guilty. UM 42 WMU 10