Never-ending scandal

Fisher era haunts program

Questions surrounding men's basketball at the University have once again come to the forefront.

Former basketball booster Ed Martin is now the focus of a federal investigation involving gambling operations in the Detroit area. Federal authorities have informed the University that evidence found in that investigation may also point to cash payments made from Martin to former Michigan basketball players.

"We were simply told there was was an investigation underway into gambling that involved Ed Martin," said University President Lee Bollinger. "As an area of investigations, we were told it was possible that some of our players have taken cash payment Bollinger and other University officials stressed that although the investigation may link Martin to gambling, there is no evidence that the alleged cash payments link the basketball program to gambling.

"This isn't a basketball issue," said Michigan basketball coach Brian Ellerbe. "It's a gambling issue about a guy who was involved with some kids" no longer associated with the basketball program.

A federal grand jury issued subpoenas last week to former players Louis Bullock, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor, Jalen Rose and Chris Webber, according reports from the Detroit Free Press and ESPN.

The former players implicated in the investigation were recruited under head coach Steve Fisher, who was fired in the fall of 1997 by University Athletic Director Tom Goss.

"Anyone associated with the University should be outraged," by these new allegations, Goss said.

Bollinger also expressed his concern over the most recent developments in the basketball scandal. "It's a very serious matter," he said. "It's deeply distressing to me and even more so to the University."

Recently-graduated Bullock, who concluded his senior season this past winter, was contacted by The Michigan Daily but refused to comment on the matter.

Although Ellerbe coached Bullock, Traylor and Taylor for at least one season, he insists that the current program - including his recently-secured recruiting class - is in total compliance with NCAA regulations.

"We know that everything has been solid, above the board, and done the right way," Ellerbe said of his program and recruiting practices. "I look back and - it's really amazing that we have the (recruiting) class we do. No one had to climb the mountains we had to climb - we just had to battle all the time," against past allegations and rumors, Ellerbe said.

In the fall of 1997, the University completed an internal investigation into its basketball program, which was conducted by the Kansas law firm Bond, Schoeneck and King.

The firm's report was forwarded to the NCAA, who concluded that two minor violations had occurred as a result of Martin's interaction with recruits. The NCAA accepted the University's self-imposed recruiting sanctions, which inluded a one-year reduction in campus visits, and decided against further punitive measures.

The recent developments regarding Martin and former players have brought to question whether the NCAA may again turn its attention toward the Fisher-era scandal. But NCAA director of enforcement Chuck Smrt outlined specific time limitations associated with violations and infractions.

"There is a four year statute of limitations," from an original reported incident, Smrt said, but pointed out three specific exceptions.

If the athletes who allegedly received cash payments are still current students, or if there is a pattern of willful violations that carries into the four year period or if there is "blatant disregard" for recruiting regulations, the statute does not apply, Smrt said.

University education Prof. Percy Bates, who assisted in the original investigation, said that he is unaware of the FBI uncovering anything with regard to student-athletes that University did not consider in its final report in the fall of 1997.

"What the FBI is doing now is independent of us (the University)," Bates said. "This is an investigation of Ed Martin, not the University. We sincerely hope what we reported (to the NCAA) was all there was to report."

Nevertheless, Goss said he has been in contact with the NCAA in the past two weeks, and hopes to work together with officials in regard to the matter.

"We will continue to be proactive like we've always been" with the NCAA, Goss said. "We will continue to maintain the integrity we stand for at this university."

- Daily News Editors Michael Grass and Nika Schulte and Daily Staff Reporter Jason Stoffer contributed to this report.

n February 1996 - A car accident involving five University men's basketball players and one prospect sparks athletic department internal inquiry because the vehicle was valued at an excess of $30,000.

n March 1997- The Athletic Department admits the mens' basketball program violated two minor NCAA regulations as a result of contact between players and booster Ed Martin. The 'U' hires a Kansas law firm to investigate the violations.

n October 1997 - After a seven months investigation, the law firm releases a 250-page report addressing the basketball program. Two days later, Athletic Director Tom Goss announces Coach Steve Fisher's removal from the program.

n April 1999 - present

- Federal grand jury subpoenas at least five former players linked to the FBI's investigation of Martin. Allegations of cash payments from Martin to former athletes surface.

05-17-99