Statement by Athletic Director Bill Martin: There are a couple of major points I want to make. First, our investigation is now over. We received a formal letter of inquiry from the NCAA on October 29, and this report represents our official response. We have worked closely with the NCAA at every stage of the investigation, and this past summer was no exception. We also have had assistance from the Big Ten. We will now ask to get on the schedule for a hearing with the Infractions Committee as soon as possible. We don’t have a date for that yet, but we hope it will be very soon.

As President Coleman noted, this is our third investigation into the basketball program and Ed Martin’s influence with our players. Despite our best efforts, we were not able to substantiate the allegations of loans to the four players until the federal government got involved. The FBI and the U.S. attorney were able to apply their considerable investigative and subpoena powers to bringing out the truth about what happened.

I want to briefly introduce Marvin Krislov, our vice president and general counsel, who has really done a huge amount of work on this investigation. I also want to introduce Percy Bates, our faculty representative to the NCAA.

Almost all of what we now know came about through an interview we had with Ed Martin’s attorneys in July. Marvin Krislov was there, along with our outside counsel and representatives from the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. All of our questions were answered by Ed Martin’s attorneys, in accordance with the process worked out with the U.S. Attorney and the NCAA. We spent several hours seeking answers to the questions that have lingered with us for the past six years.

Mr. Martin’s attorneys confirmed the amounts of the loans to specific U of M basketball players. His attorneys indicated he loaned the money with the intention of being repaid after the students became professional athletes. They stated he had assisted a number of athletes in this way, many beginning in high school or even earlier. They said he had never steered a student toward the University of Michigan nor any other university, and did not think of himself as a representative of the U of M.

We also conducted a number of followup interviews with former U of M Athletic Department coaches and staff. Some of these individuals, including former Head Coach Steve Fisher, were interviewed by NCAA staff. None of these individuals we interviewed over the summer and fall shared any new information nor claimed knowledge of any of the events we describe in our report.

Even though we couldn’t prove the allegations about Ed Martin’s loans to our players until now, we did a number of things over the years to address the problems and strengthen compliance with NCAA and Big Ten rules. We have made not one but two changes in the head coaching position since these problems first came to light. None of the current players and coaches were at the University during any time period when the violations were occurring.

I want to introduce Judy Van Horn, who was hired in 2001 as our compliance director. Judy is one of the most widely respected compliance professionals in the country. When she came on board I elevated her position to associate director of athletics and made her a part of my senior executive staff. I also upgraded her staff to include three full-time staff and two interns, to make sure she has the resources she needs to be effective. Her voice is very, very important in our department.

Other actions we have taken include: · Revising our policy on complimentary tickets.

· Limiting access to the tunnel area of Crisler and to the locker room. · Developing an intensive education program on NCAA rules for the players and staff. · Careful tracking of student-athletes’ automobiles. · Requiring completion of written tests and signed verification from student-athletes on booster rules and extra benefits. · Conducting regular outreach by the compliance staff to booster groups and local businesses.

I believe that my job as athletic director is to hire coaches of honor and integrity, who can win at the national level the right way, and who can recruit student-athletes who graduate.

This is where I have focused much of my efforts in the past two years. I see the results of this work when I look at Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tommy Amaker. When I see the way he runs his program and the high standards he sets on and off the court, I know that our basketball program is in the best hands.

Tommy is also with us this morning, and I want to acknowledge him.

Tommy and I are in agreement with what the President has detailed about the sanctions we will impose on the basketball program. We stand side by side on this. These penalties are serious, but they fit with the level of the problems we uncovered.

Even though this is the right thing to do, I want to personally apologize to our three basketball players who are graduating seniors. As a result of these penalties, they will never have the chance to play in a tournament. These students had nothing to do with what happened, and I am sorry that they have to pay the price. There are many more details in the report, and I know it will take you a while to digest everything that is in there. We will take some time right now to answer your questions, and then I’ll be available throughout the day if you need me. Marvin Krislov is also here to answer some of the specific legal questions you may have. U-M announces conclusion of Ed Martin investigation; self-imposes sanctions >>