Details in Crawford case emerge

By Jen Fish

Daily Staff Reporter

As the questions surrounding freshman basketball guard Jamal Crawford's relationship with Seattle businessman Barry Henthorn remain, one thing is for certain: If there is any restitution, it will be taken care of by his mother, Venora Skinner, and Henthorn wants none of it.

The relationship between Henthorn and Crawford has become a major issue surrounding the impending resignation of University Athletic Director Tom Goss. Although Goss was apparently aware of this relationship, his failure to keep in communication with University administration has brought his judgment into question.

Last night, Detroit television station WKBD reported that Goss had submitted his resignation, but University officials would not comment on the matter.

"We have nothing to add at this time, when there is something to discuss, we will discuss it," University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said.

The NCAA ruled last week that the relationship between Henthorn and Crawford can be construed as sponsorship of an athlete. As a result, Crawford has to pay Henthorn back for any extra benefits the NCAA deemed inappropriate, from the food that Crawford ate from Henthorn's refrigerator to a 1993 Jeep Cherokee that Henthorn allegedly "gave" Crawford in high school.

It has been estimated that Crawford may have to pay Henthorn more than $15,000.

But Skinner said she will bear the responsibility.

"If there's any restitution, I will take care of it," she said last night in a telephone interview from Renton, Wash.

Henthorn said he does not want any of Crawford's money.

"Any money that I receive will be donated to a University organization of Jamal's choice," he said. "I've never wanted his money."

If Crawford leaves the University, he will not have to pay restitution, leading some to believe that he might enter the NBA draft at the end of this season. Crawford filed for the 1999 draft, but his application was one day late. If Crawford had successfully entered the draft, his letter of intent to Michigan would have been nullified.

Crawford's mother and Henthorn said they believe Crawford will return to Michigan after this year.

"It's his decision, but the conversations we've had have centered around him coming back to U of M," Henthorn said.

"He'll be back next year," Skinner said.

Henthorn also said that Michigan men's basketball coach Brian Ellerbe was "aware of the situation" that existed between he and Crawford. Henthorn met Ellerbe during the recruiting process, along with assistant coach Kurtis Townsend, while the coaches were recruiting Crawford.

Both Michigan coaches and University officials had not previously commented about whether or not coaches knew of Henthorn's relationship with Crawford.

"Ellerbe has done nothing wrong. Representatives from U of M checked out everything - my house, everything," Henthorn said.

The University has been "incredibly supportive of Jamal," Henthorn said. "From (University President Lee Bollinger) to the legal counsel, everyone has gone above and beyond the call of duty to see this injustice righted."

Henthorn vehemently denies that there is any impropriety in his relationship with Crawford. He and Skinner have both maintained that Henthorn and Crawford have a mutually-supportive relationship.

The relationship between Henthorn and Crawford began after they were introduced by a mutual acquaintance of Henthorn's and Skinner. Neither Henthorn nor Skinner could ascertain the exact date Crawford began living with Henthorn.

Initially, says Henthorn, our relationship was more "casual. I knew him and his mother; our relationship really grew at the end of Jamal's first senior year." Crawford earned a landmark decision of a fifth year of high school elegibility, after social and academic problems during his first two years.

As time went on, Crawford and Henthorn grew closer. "At first, Jamal would sleep at my house every now and then. It was the kind of situation where he would be out late and then need a place to crash," Henthorn said.

Crawford eventually came to live full time with Henthorn sometime during his second senior year. Henthorn said that Crawford's mother asked if Crawford could live with him after an incident in which the police raided Skinner's house.

Crawford and University officials have said previously that Crawford lived with Henthorn for at least a couple years. Sources close to Crawford's situation in Seattle told the Daily last week that Crawford lived with as many as three other people - Rainier Beach High School coach Mike Bethea, Crawford's girlfriend, and a former teammate, Will Conroy.

Crawford could not be reached for comment last night.

"I'm one of the few people in his recent life that doesn't want anything from him," Henthorn said. "In business, everyone wants something from me - Jamal and I have that in common. I have not gained anything in our relationship but his friendship."

Regarding the Jeep Grand Cherokee that Crawford received in high school, Henthorn said that he loaned Crawford the car before he went to college.

"I never gave it to him," he said. "I allowed him to drive it. He borrowed my car."

Henthorn calls the NCAA decision "ludicrous," and maintains that he and the University will fight it.

"They want him to pay for the room he slept in at my house, as if it were rent. They wanted me to itemize everything, things like the food that Jamal ate from my fridge. A tutor that volunteered to help Jamal, they want him to pay for that too."

Henthorn said that he is in constant contact with University officials, both from the administration and the athletic department.

Although the future of both Crawford and the leadership of the athletic department remain unclear, Henthorn said he and the University will appeal the NCAA's decision.

"I intend to fight to be recognized as Jamal's guardian at least as far as the NCAA goes," Henthorn said.