Basketball allegations tarnish 'U' image

Right or wrong, fans may lose enthusiasm amidst press reports

By Erin Marsh
Daily Editorial Page Editor

The Michigan men's basketball team has had quite a year. One NIT championship, one departed assistant coach - and one bundle of trouble from purported interactions with booster Ed Martin.

By now, everyone has heard of the reports that came out in early spring: Seemingly sordid tales of cash gifts smuggled to players in birthday cakes; flashy cars with questionable leases; tickets and gifts to woo potential recruits; drugs, alcohol, strippers and wild parties; much of this, allegedly, subsidized by boosters and friends of the Michigan basketball program.

How much is true? How much is speculation and sensationalism? The University's most visible and high-profile facet - its Athletic Department - faces the unenviable task of digging deep and coming clean.

Fisher

A few anonymous sources who spoke to a few newspapers have effectively stirred up a maelstrom of doubt and disgust in some students and fans, and inspired fierce loyalty in others. When the stakes rose, some verifiable dirty deals popped up. In March, Jessie Carter, grandmother and legal guardian of junior center Robert Traylor, told reporters she would release the names of boosters who promised her cash and a cushy job to influence Traylor to attend their schools - if reporters or the NCAA would release the names of the sources who accused her grandson of taking part in such shady dealings.

The University launched its own investigation after the early allegations arose. A brief search uncovered no new information. So why did Detroit newspapers find support for some of the allegations just a few months after the University concluded its investigation?

Coach Steve Fisher offered a blanket "no comment." Athletic Director Joe Roberson said only, gravely, that answers must be found. Senior Associate Athletic Director Keith Molin complained that the University's investigation could not operate on the same level as the newspapers' investigations, supposedly as a result of Freedom of Information Act laws. "We have to bear our soul under freedom of information," Molin said. "We have to reveal absolutely everything we have."

FOIA laws may be the only saving grace in this situation. Keeping secrets may have started the public relations mess. If the department has nothing to hide, FOIA requests should be as simple as releasing a few documents. If, for some reason, it isn't that simple, the department should be concerned.

In late March, fearing a ruthless NCAA investigation, the University hired the independent, private investigative firm Bond, Schoeneck & King to investigate all allegations pertaining to the basketball program.

The University has probably had all the chances it will get to seek out some answers; to see if there is any truth to the reports of cash in cakes, or lying around players' apartments, or offered to recruits' families.

But in the meantime, something has been lost. Students might not be too excited to pile into Crisler if they suspect the team they cheer on is collecting favors for each basket. Once upon a time, kids watched and played basketball because it was fun and exciting. They loved it. They should still.

If there is any kind of temptation threatening the Michigan men's basketball program, perhaps the ultimate responsibility lies with the players. As high-profile representatives of the University, student-athletes should enjoy the University with no motivation but pride in wearing the maize and blue. Like any student, student-athletes should take advantage of the unique experiences the University offers, and nothing more. In a high-stakes sphere like the world of college basketball, Ed Martins abound, dangling promises of fame and wealth. There's nothing wrong with fame or wealth. But there is something wrong with losing focus as a college-level player.

Many University graduates, including - or perhaps especially - Michigan athletes, go on to enjoy successful careers and achieve some degree of fame or personal affluence.

But for now, we are college students. And that should be enough.

09-03-97