Kevin Ollie Releases Statement After UConn Releases Investigation Documents

The day after the University of Connecticut released hundreds of pages of documents pertaining to the university’s investigation and subsequent firing of former head men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie over alleged NCAA violations, Ollie and his attorneys have released statements.

UConn says it fired Ollie after finding NCAA violations that included improper workouts and improper contact with recruits by Ollie and former UConn star Ray Allen. 

The violations were laid out in more than 1,300 pages of documents released Wednesday after UConn President Susan Herbst upheld the decision to fire Ollie. 

The documents include transcripts of interviews by the school's compliance staff and NCAA officials about alleged violations. That includes secondhand information provided by former UConn assistant coach Glenn Miller of an alleged $30,000 payment to the mother of a player. 

In a statement, Ollie's lawyer, Jacques Parenteau, said the allegation that Ollie paid money to the mother of a player as moving expenses is a "complete fabrication."

He went on to call Miller a "biased witness" and said his testimony was "inconsistent."

Parenteau called the infractions cited by UConn in firing Ollie minimal and isolated in a statement and said they fail to justify withholding the more than $10 million they believe Ollie is owed under his contract.

This is the full statement from Kevin Ollie that his attorneys released: 

“Over 26 years ago, you welcomed a 18 year old Californian-Texan, and allowed me to make Connecticut my home. During that time, I am blessed to have been able to make a positive impact on our community through my charitable endeavors. I played for thirteen seasons in the NBA, but I always came home to give back to Connecticut and create opportunity for others to pursue their dreams. I will continue to help adaptive athletes achieve their competition and life goals. I will continue to build and support Kevin’s Kourts accessible basketball courts. I thank the sponsors, volunteers, and my friends at 21st Century Tolland Fund, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort Casino who help me give "Every Child A Shot." My commitment to the people of the State of Connecticut and the charities I support is as strong as ever.

“As Coach for our beloved Huskies, I am most proud of the success I have had in mentoring young men and providing them with the tools to become great student-athletes and contributors to our communities. I am honored to have coached student-athletes to have success both on and off the courts. As Head Coach, I've seen our students’ graduation and APR rates dramatically improve, including three years of perfect APR scores. And I am proud that, both as an assistant and Head Coach, we shared two National Championships that will always be a part of our collective UCONN history. 

“I continue to “bleed Blue” and wish Coach Hurley and the players all the best as they compete for the next NCAA title. 

Thank you to all the players, the fans, my brothers in Blue, those that have cheered their hearts out for our team. I'm a better person because of you,” Ollie said in a statement.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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