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Indiana to Move Fast in Basketball Probe

By The Associated Press
Posted 6:03PM on Friday 15th February 2008 ( 16 years ago )
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Kelvin Sampson's future as Indiana's basketball coach could be determined by next week.

University president Michael McRobbie said Friday the school will conduct a new investigation into NCAA accusations that Sampson committed five major rules violations.

A school investigation last year revealed Sampson and his assistants made more than 100 impermissible calls. That occurred while Sampson was on NCAA probation for making 577 improper phone calls between 2000 and 2004 while coaching Oklahoma.

Athletic director Rick Greenspan, university counsel Dorothy Frapwell and faculty representative Bruce Jaffee were asked to run the investigation and then recommend by next Friday what steps the university should take.

"I fully understand the desire for us, by many people, to move quickly in bringing this situation to resolution," McRobbie said. "We intend to do just that."

An NCAA report Wednesday accused Sampson of providing false and misleading information to university and NCAA investigators, failing to promote a high standard of honesty in the program and not promoting an atmosphere of compliance.

Sampson said Wednesday he never intentionally provided false or misleading information to NCAA investigators.

During pregame introductions Wednesday, Sampson drew more boos than cheers, and university trustees have expressed disappointment over Indiana's predicament. The school has not been hit with a major NCAA infraction since 1960.

Some fans want Sampson out, by dismissal or resignation. Others believe he should be suspended, but firing Sampson before the NCAA makes its expected ruling in June or July could cost the school at least $2.5 million.

Greenspan, who hired Sampson in March 2006, must recommend what the university does next.

"I am confident that president McRobbie has established a procedure that will lead to a fair resolution of these charges," Greenspan said in a statement. He left hurriedly after the news conference and did not take questions.

Sampson accepted the school's self-imposed sanctions in October by agreeing to forfeit a $500,000 pay raise and a scholarship for the 2008-09 season.

The No. 13 Hoosiers are in the heat of the Big Ten title chase. They lost at home to No. 15 Wisconsin on Wednesday - less than 12 hours after the NCAA report was made public. They face No. 10 Michigan State at home on Saturday. On Tuesday, the Hoosiers host No. 19 Purdue, the Big Ten leader. This stretch may determine whether Indiana stays in title contention.

Indiana has until May 8 to respond to the NCAA and faces a June 14 hearing before the infractions committee. A decision is expected within 30 days of the hearing.

If the Hoosiers wait until this summer for the NCAA to make its decision, the questions about Sampson could hurt recruiting and impede a possible coaching search.

The school could ask that the hearing be moved up to April, but there is no assurance that request would be granted.

"As president, I believe the most important measure of our success in intercollegiate athletics is not to be found in the won-loss columns," McRobbie said. "Rather it is how well we measure up to our own high standards of good sportsmanship, academic success, the welfare of our student-athletes and playing by the rules."
Indiana University President Michael McRobbie announces a new school investigation into the allegations over infractions by Indiana basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, during a news conference in Bloomington, Ind., Friday. Sampson was accused on Wednesd

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