Chancellor’s remarks: NCAA report news conference

Kohl Center, October 2, 2001
Remarks by Chancellor John Wiley

I am pleased that the NCAA has accepted and agreed with virtually everything that we brought forward in our own investigation. I believe that agreement acknowledges the thoroughness of our investigation and reflects the deliberate approach we took in reviewing and addressing the allegations.

I am also gratified that the NCAA recognized the seriousness of the self-imposed penalties and the administrative changes we’ve put into place to make sure our athletic program conforms to the regulations of the NCAA going forward. This will continue to be a priority for me and of the leadership of the Athletic Department. The decisions we announced in April and continue to implement, will strengthen Wisconsin’s athletic program for years to come.

Having said that, I am very disappointed by the NCAA’s additional reductions in the number of athletic scholarships, especially for our football program. While it is true that these judgments are within the NCAA legislation, they are, in the end, subjective in nature. We obviously believed that the loss of scholarships that we imposed was sufficient punishment. The NCAA clearly disagreed.

Although I do not agree with the additional penalties imposed, we will not appeal the decision of the Infractions Committee. Rather, we will pay our penalties, and we have put systems in place to make sure they won’t happen again. I continue to have confidence in the Athletic Department and its leadership team and look forward to putting this case behind us.