Michigan center Robert Traylor responded yesterday to allegations that he may have improperly obtained a $47,906 customized Chevrolet Suburban last month.
The suspicions arose after the University's Athletic Department announced that it planned to conduct a standard investigation into how Traylor obtained the automobile, which was leased by his aunt, Lydia Johnson, on Feb. 25.
"The lease of the new car in question by my aunt was made entirely by her," Traylor said in a news release. "She works two jobs, has great credit, and selected the car for both of us to drive. It is her money, and she should be able to spend her money as she wishes. We have done nothing wrong."
Johnson, a Detroit steel company machine operator, leased the eight-passenger vehicle, equipped with a television and two stereos. Lease payments on the vehicle reportedly exceed $700 per month.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Keith Molin said the investigation is just standard department policy.
"What we have here is a policy in the department by which we ask and require our student-athletes to register any vehicle they have in their use," Molin said. "We do this simply to ensure these vehicles come with no violations of the NCAA or University regulations."
In a statement, Traylor criticized a Detroit newspaper that allegedly made false claims concerning illegal transactions.
"I challenge anyone to come forward with proof of this charge," Traylor said. "It never happened!"
Molin agreed that the report was intrusive.
"We will look into the transactions, but it is a shame we have to do it in public," Molin said. "Traylor now has to prove his innocence. His family has to prove their innocence.
"I always thought that someone was presumed innocent," Molin added. "They would never write this about a student who lives in the suburbs. It's damned unfair."
The allegations come on the heels of a recent NCAA investigation into the basketball program's associations with a booster, Ed Martin. During the past week, Michigan coach Steve Fisher has come under fire for not reporting Martin's alleged financial involvments with University student-atheletes.
Regent Daniel Horning (R-Grand Haven) said the athletic administrators need to monitor the activities of the athletes, and sole responsibility should not be placed on the coach.
"From top to bottom in the Athletic Department we need to keep our eyes on details," Horning said. "If we have an automobile registration department it should be up to the administration and the athletes to adhere to it.
"I do not think it is the responsibility of the head coach to walk in and out of Crisler Arena and to check what type of car (Traylor) is driving," Horning said. "It should be the administrators responsibility to monitor that."
Molin said that unfortunately the responsibilty and burden of a team usually falls on the coach.
"It is darn damn time people understand that and cut them some slack," Molin said. "It is damn unfair that people like Steve Fisher have to be subjected to this."