The University of Connecticut's athletic director David Benedict held a press conference on Tuesday but gave little detail on the NCAA investigation into the men's basketball program.
"I believe he wants to do things the right way," Benedict said about Coach Kevin Ollie.
At the end of January, the school said it was already conducting an internal investigation after receiving allegations last fall and retained a law firm that specializes in athletics compliance.
“UConn is absolutely committed to a culture of compliance and intends to fully cooperate, as always, with the NCAA. We will do so in a thorough and transparent manner reflective of the model athletic and academic institution we continually strive to be,” UConn President Susan Herbst said in a statement released Friday morning.
The school said it was already conducting an internal investigation after receiving allegations last fall and retained a law firm that specializes in athletics compliance.
The school didn't reveal the nature of the allegations. Hearst Connecticut Media, which first reported news of the investigation, cited unidentified sources saying they were related to recruiting.
Ollie is in the second year of a five-year $17.9-million contract that can be voided for "just cause," the Associated Press reports.
"With regard to the inquiry directed at our men’s basketball program, I want to express that we will cooperate fully with the NCAA as this process moves forward as we are committed to promoting an atmosphere of compliance with NCAA regulations," Ollie said in a statement. "As we head into the final weeks of the season, our total focus will be on helping our team improve and reach its highest potential. To that end, we will have no further comment on this matter."
Following is the full statement from UConn on Jan. 26, 2018:
The NCAA has notified UConn of an inquiry into its men’s basketball program. We are working closely with the NCAA’s enforcement division as they conduct this inquiry.
Based on our own, NCAA-mandated internal review following allegations directed at men’s basketball programs last fall, we had already retained Lightfoot, Franklin and White to assist us in a review of our men’s basketball program. We will continue to work with them during the NCAA inquiry. Lightfoot, Franklin and White is a respected firm and national leader in NCAA athletics compliance.
The University and its Athletic Department are committed to a culture of compliance with all NCAA regulations. We will appropriately address and respond to this inquiry and continue cooperating fully with the NCAA as this process moves forward. Until that time, we will have no further comment.
“UConn is absolutely committed to a culture of compliance and intends to fully cooperate, as always, with the NCAA. We will do so in a thorough and transparent manner reflective of the model athletic and academic institution we continually strive to be,” says President Susan Herbst.
