In light of criticism surrounding recent NCAA violations, University President Lee Bollinger and Athletic Director Joe Roberson issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for Michigan basketball coach Steve Fisher.
"We want it to be clear to everyone that Steve Fisher's career at Michigan, both as an assistant and as head coach, is a career that has demonstrated a commitment to principle, a passion for integrity and a loyalty to Michigan that represents in the finest possible way the Michigan tradition," Bollinger and Roberson said in a written statement.
A University report issued Monday revealed that several members of the men's basketball team violated two NCAA bylaws for their involvement with Detroit booster Ed Martin. One incident involved Martin presenting a birthday cake to a player, who has been identified by team members as sophomore center Robert Traylor.
In the second incident, Martin was present at Traylor's home while Fisher was there recruiting.
Since admitting to violating NCAA bylaws, Fisher has been the subject of sharp criticism for failing to warn Roberson of the "inappropriate offers of extra benefits," made to student-athletes. Martin's offers allegedly included providing free plane tickets for Michigan players' families and paying for security deposits for several players' apartments.
However, these transactions never took place due to intervention by Fisher, according to the report. Although Roberson initially criticized the coaching staff for failing to report these incidents immediately, his statement yesterday credited Fisher for preventing further damage.
"It was Steve Fisher who discovered the attempts to provide inappropriate benefits to both families and student-athletes, and it was Steve Fisher who promptly thwarted those efforts," Roberson said. "Had it not been for Steve's intervention, major violations of NCAA regulations - over which Michigan had no control but for which the Michigan program would have been held accountable - would likely have occurred."
Senior Associate Director of Athletics Keith Molin said Roberson's statement of support was necessary due to the wave of criticism directed at Fisher.
"The world needs to know the family of Michigan is behind the coach, and he is not being hung out to dry as a scapegoat," Molin said. "We know we can do some things better, and we intend to do things better."
Percy Bates, the faculty athletic representative, said it is uncertain when the NCAA will deliver its recommended sanctions to the University. The University has submitted self-imposed sanctions, such as reducing the number of official visits to campus by recruits. Now NCAA officials must either accept the sanctions or impose additional reprimands.
Regent Daniel Horning (R-Grand Haven) said he wholeheartedly supports Fisher and that the burden of the entire investigation should not solely be placed on the coach's shoulders.
"We're at a time where many of the technical aspects of the business side of intercollegiate athletics need to be monitored and adhered to by the athletic administration," Horning said. "In the case of U of M, we have people in the athletic administration who are assigned to basketball administration. With that should come the responsibility of accepting the burden of the daily activities within the program not related to coaching."
Although Martin's season basketball tickets have been revoked, the problem of offers made to student-athletes may still persist. Martin, who is widely known among Detroit high school basketball players, was a regular spectator at basketball games played at Country Day High School - the alma mater of former Michigan forward Chris Webber.
"I would see Ed Martin back when Chris Webber was here," said Kurt Keener, coach of Country Day's men's basketball team. "He never purported to represent U of M. I was not aware of offers or activities."
Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison said offers made by boosters are a problem that may surface again.
"At some universities this is a particular problem with sports agents," Harrison said. "It's quite clear that we should have had better procedures in place so that the coach addressed the athletic department."