NCAA Advises University About Preliminary Inquiry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a letter dated December 7, 2001, the National Collegiate Athletic Association advised the University of Arkansas that it was initiating a preliminary inquiry pertaining to the institution’s men’s athletics program.

The primary focus of the inquiry relates to the University’s self-report of July 3, 2000, concerning past violations of NCAA extra-benefits legislation by representatives of the institution’s athletics interests. The available information does not implicate any improper actions by any coach at the University and does not affect the eligibility of any current student-athlete.

In a response to the NCAA dated December 14, 2001, Chancellor John A. White emphasized the University’s commitment to complying with the spirit and the letter of all NCAA legislation and pledged to leave no stone unturned during the preliminary inquiry. At the request of Chancellor White, a team of University representatives met with NCAA officials at the NCAA offices in Indianapolis on December 19, 2001. The University and the NCAA have agreed to jointly review possible rules violations and desire to conclude the review as soon as possible.

In a December 20, 2001 response to Chancellor White’s letter, the NCAA provided additional information to the University regarding the reasons for the length of time that has elapsed between the date the University first submitted its self-report to the NCAA on July 3, 2000, and the date of the notice of the letter of preliminary inquiry on December 7, 2001. Additionally, the NCAA letter dated December 20, 2001, clarified that the preliminary inquiry concerns possible rules violations involving representatives of the institution’s athletics interests and former student-athletes who participated in football and basketball. In a telephone conversation on December 21, 2001, NCAA officials confirmed that a reference to a "current student-athlete" in the letter of December 20, 2001, refers to a student-athlete who was enrolled at the University at the time of the self-report but who is no longer enrolled at the institution.

The University is releasing to the public a copy of the letter of preliminary inquiry, Chancellor White’s response, and the follow-up letter from the NCAA dated December 20, 2001. In light of the ongoing preliminary inquiry, University representatives will have no further comment on this matter until the completion of the review.